it could be magical
It's not that I hate you, I just don't want to talk to you. Many times in downtown Boston you'll come across volunteers requesting donations for various charities/organizations. Save the kids, save the trees, save the animals, all noble causes that need saving. However the methods which these organizations acquire information and donations is inefficient.
I'm going to use Downtown Crossing as an example. The area has high foot traffic, and like most traffic it doesn't like stop. Many of the people you encounter downtown work in the area and if in motion are usually on there way to work or leaving. Can't be late or can't get away fast enough, at least in my case anyway. The others are shoppers and students going about their business and don't care to be bothered. Everyone has some sort of mental schedule and become uncomfortable when there are delays.
To combat this volunteers have come up with some clever strategies to get you to stop and talk to them. One is the handshake. I’m not sure how this works with you ladies but in the male world the handshake is the ultimate form of respect. Be it the bar or boardroom if you don’t have a good handshake then you don’t have the full respect. For the most part I’ve only seen male volunteers do this. They’ll stand in your path and just stick out their hand to shake yours. Now if you’re a guy walking into this you can’t help but stick out your hand. You exactly why he’s doing it but you can’t bring yourself to deny it. I’ve denied the handshake only to feel like a jerk afterwards.
One volunteer was actually able to make me laugh, and almost reconsider walking by him. I was walking through Coolidge Corner (Boston/Brookline somewhere) and when I hit the curb one guy asked me something to the nature of, “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I shook my head and started to pass when he did a little tippy-toe dance and said, “but it could be magical!” I let out a laugh…and kept on walking because I was meeting the GF and friends for food.
I’m by no means a bad person for not wanting to stop and give a few minutes of my time, and I know for a fact that these people work their butts off to get donations/signatures. To deal with rejection as a part-time occupation takes guts and while I may not always shake their hands, they will always have my respect.
Boston, respect, volunteers
Reader Comments (1)
Heres the thing, I agree with you man. I understand why they do it but its a tad annoying. I also feel bad for that guy out there taking the hits, because he clearly feels like thats the best he can do.
The worst one I ever encountered was a group who I call the "fake racists" where they were in Downtown Crossing and only would approach white women and men. They would say things like sir do yo uwanna stop racism? And if you walked away they would counter with sir why do you love racism? Why are you being racist? Turned out they were a scam in the long run! No shit!
Pickalicous
-cooler than the other side of the pillow