Before I continue with the story, let me say that I donate a significant amount of money to charities annually. Most notably, we do 2 large events at work - Relay for Life in the Spring (American Cancer Society), and around Christmas we "adopt" several families that live in CT public housing and donate whatever they need - toys, food, furniture, whatever. I also have a recurring monthly payment to the Humane Society on my credit card. I will also donate when friends do marathons, bike rides, etc. Okay, now that you know I'm not a cheap un-charitable person...
So the cashier asks me if I would like to donate. I can get a green shamrock for $1 or a gold for $5. I politely say "no thank you". She persists, telling me "you know you want to!" and I again say "no thank you". She rings up the one item and I hand over my coupon. She says "you won't even donate $1 and you want me to take this????" I stare at her, in disbelief, trying to remember if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything...and I take out my credit card and swipe it, indicating I am ready to complete the purchase and leave. She then hands me the receipt and says "you saved $9.64...see you could have bought 2 gold ones, I would have even kicked in the 26 cents!!"
I looked at her an tried to bite my tongue but politely said I'm sorry, but if I gave everyone who asked for it even $1, I'd be broke...I choose my charities annually and donate to them, and from time to time give a few dollars extra here or there...and then I told her if she hadn't pressured me, I might have donated but she completely turned me off to the whole thing. She then said, "well I'd tell you to have a nice day...but I wouldn't mean it."
I was amazed. I wanted to talk to her manager, but I was so pissed I needed to leave. I appreciate wanting to collect money, and maybe she has a reason to feel strongly for that charity, but I think you ask once, maybe twice, and let it go!!
