Girl "selling" air freshener at Clonsilla Station this morning

amdublin

I posted this on the D15 forum but I have a feeling it may become a trend at other stations so thought I would post here as well:

This morning there was a girl standing just inside of Clonsilla train station handing out items. I assumed it was a free item - you know the way at the stations in town you get free samples alot.

It was actually an airfreshener with a note saying "Please buy this product. I have no money and have two children" (or something like this)

I gave it back when I saw this. (Was nice about it, said no thanks etc)

I don't object to her "selling" but I felt like I had been duped into taking it and then obligated to buy it. (If I want to donate to someone selling/begging I will, but I would like to have the choice)

Many people did come back and give her money, while keeping the airfreshener. Not sure if they did out of choice or because felt obligated to.

Just letting you know in case she is at any other station so that you can actually choose if you want to buy or not.

* Also just to note that when the gates closed and the traffic was stopped in a line she went and handed it out to cars as well and then went back and collected money on them when they had opened it (unaware it was not a free sample)

amacachi

amdublin wrote: »

I posted this on the D15 forum but I have a feeling it may become a tend at other stations so thought I would post here as well:

This morning there was a girl standing just inside of Clonsilla train station handing out items. I assumed it was a free item - you know the way at the stations in town you get free samples alot.

It was actually an airfreshener with a note saying "Please buy this product. I have no money and have two children" (or something like this)

I gave it back when I saw this. (Was nice about it, said no thanks etc)

I don't object to her "selling" but I felt like I had been duped into taking it and then obligated to buy it. (If I want to donate to someone selling/begging I will, but I would like to have the choice)

Many people did come back and give her money, while keeping the airfreshener. Not sure if they did out of choice or because felt obligated to.

Just letting you know in case she is at any other station so that you can actually choose if you want to buy or not.

* Also just to note that when the gates closed and the traffic was stopped in a line she went and handed it out to cars as well and then went back and collected money on them when they had opened it (unaware it was not a free sample)

They tried this at a few junctions around Dundalk a year or so ago, few words from the cops put an end to it, sickens me that the Gardaí in Dublin just walk by.

Davy

Came across this a few times, first time was over 2 years ago in lucan and it was tealite candles for €2 each

triple-M

as far as im concerned,its just another form of begging/trying to con money out of you,same as any of the gypsies you see on the street or the lads trying to clean your car window at traffic lights,they need to be dealt with severley

Victor

Talk to the station staff about hte selling within the station.

Talk to the local gardaí about the nuisance to traffic.

TirEoghain

Reminds me of the oul boys about Clones on a match day, who walk along and pin onto your coat/top a piece of paper with a ribbon on it in the county colours and then looking for money. But it's just any spare change for his efforts, no particular cause or anything for the money!

Think I've seen them around the Croker area too, but definitely more prevelant in Colnes.

Cookie_Monster

so if they give it to you can you not just take it and not pay?

More seriously I hate that kinda stuff, report it to the station or guards as Victor has suggested

carlmango11

I've had the exact same thing given to me at Collins Ave. and Malahide road junction when I was stopped at the lights. Some sleezy gypsie looking man knocked on the window, I thought it was a free sample so I took it. Same sign at the top, please buy I have no money and 2 children. I gave it back to him and he shouting "Ce" at me and started shaking his handful of change. I closed the window and he started knocking on it. Thankfully the lights went green so I just drove off.

I really hate this crap because it's the kind of stuff that goes in under-developed countries where everyones trying to scam each other. :mad: I don't get why this kind of stuff is let happen here. Packs of gypsies flying here just to beg, seriously like you don't see this in other developed cities.

Cionád

carlmango11 wrote: »

I really hate this crap because it's the kind of stuff that goes in under-developed countries where everyones trying to scam each other. :mad: I don't get why this kind of stuff is let happen here. Packs of gypsies flying here just to beg, seriously like you don't see this in other developed cities.

I've seen it in many developed cities: Munich, Frankfurt, Lyon, Paris, Vancouver, Rome (especially), Seattle, London, Belfast, Edinburgh to name a few.

It happens everywhere tbh.

efb

Pangs of conscence?

I see it as free enterprise, far better than begging IMHO.

PS: I would have politly returned the item to her.

Landyaddict

Cionád wrote: »

I've seen it in many developed cities: Munich, Frankfurt, Lyon, Paris, Vancouver, Rome (especially), Seattle, London, Belfast, Edinburgh to name a few.

It happens everywhere tbh.

Well it took its time to get here.

2 years agon In Moscow and St. Petersburg, came across this. In english too, go figure.

As OP said, I like to pick who or what charity I give my hard earned cash to, not have this type of Scam forced on me.

well done OP for bringing it to the attention of us all.

landy

Cookie_Monster

it just another for of begging, its also misleading in that you're given the item (giving you the impression it is free) only to be subsequently asked to pay. Also probably get some filthy looks or abuse for saying no thanks and handing it back.

Starstream

But this kind of thing happens all the time, and not just with the 'foreigners'. People collecting for charities hand out stuff like it's free and then say 'that'll be 3euro for croi' or whatever. If you didn't think she would want money for what she was giving you I think you are a little naive. Just hand it back and don't make a big deal.

ted1

this is a common event in other countries, especiall in the pubs in spain, they come in leave lighters and stuff on your table, if you pick them up they then come over looking for money. they should stomp this out ASAP.

AlekSmart

What many posters need to realize is that the "Young Girl"..."Disabled Lad" etc etc is rarely acting alone and that usually there will be a far more serious element to the entire performance.

Always be conscious of other people watching you,try to broaden your focus to whats going on behind you or on the opposite side of your vehicle as you attempt to deal with the individual that`s in your face.

As other posters point out,these people are merely part of a multi-national grouping who exist on the fringes of Criminality throughout the developed world.
For the most part they are merely an inconvienence,BUT,if you have the misfortune to become a target for their accomplicies then you most certainly will rue the day.

Anybody who spends time in O Connell St Dublin for example will be familiar with the female group who actively target single women at ATM`s or standing alone.
It`s instructive to watch their tactic from afar as it allows you to see at first hand just how slick and supervised the entire thing is.

The Men,by the way,will ALWAYS be close at hand watching their womenfolk,just in case they decide to pocket a bit too much of "their" takings !!!

Optimus Prime

I have had guys trying to clean my car windows alright but never handing out stuff like that over here except on Holidays abroad. There is a Roma guy begging around the back of my job just off baggot street, i was walking past him last week and he was doing the usual shaking the cup etc and his mobile phone rang!!! seriously!!

Run_to_da_hills

This is what rail security should be stamping out rather than bullying college students who genuinely loose their id.

I just came back from Budapest and the transit system is full of this carry on, if it is not stopped soon enough it will across the city like a cancer.

AlekSmart

This is what rail security should be stamping out rather than bullying college students who genuinely loose their id.

All well and good until you re-read the OP`s description of WHERE the fragrant young lady was plying her wares....

This morning there was a girl standing just inside of Clonsilla train station handing out items. I assumed it was a free item - you know the way at the stations in town you get free samples alot.

If She`s a pro at this her positioning will allow for a deft step outside of the station itself,thereby rendering any attempt by the Security Contractors to detain her.

You can be assured that any attempt to engage in hot-pursuit by the Security Staff would be regarded as a threat to our civil-rights and immediately result in an appearance on Liveline.

I struggle to connect the role of Security Contractors with that of a Revenue Protection Inspector in this instance ?

Cormb

for awhile it was also happening on the M50/M1 roundabout - a young lass would be on the N32 trying the same thing.

wayne2107

Ha I got one of these air freshners at the merrion gates this morning. Took the air freshner, closed my window and eventully drove off. Feck them I say, If I was giving anyone money Ide look after our own first. Deport them all nothing but scum. Harsh words but true..

Oliver1985

Cormb wrote: »

for awhile it was also happening on the M50/M1 roundabout - a young lass would be on the N32 trying the same thing.

Or that guy on the m50 think it was the blanch exit who starte to clean your windscreen with dirty water out of a coke bottle:mad::eek:

He would not get away so i sprayed him with my window washers lol :eek:

3DataModem

They were doing the same at Sutton station this morning (actually, at the level crossing where there are rows of sitting ducks).

Cops where there this afternoon. I presume that's the last of it, knowing the locals.

wayne2107

He would not get away so i sprayed him with my window washers lol

He would of getting more than a quick splash of window washers if it was me. We need to show these SCUM that we will not take any ****e! Its our country after all.