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What to do about Chuggers?

  • 12-01-2016 5:09pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 488 ✭✭


    Every day, at least in Limerick, these guys are out hassling people on the street. Amnesty, Concern, smaller local charities, the dodgy ones run to scam people, guys at traffic lights shaking buckets. Then you have the Jehovahs and Mormons out in force too, plus people selling magazines outside banks, post offices etc.

    The Jehovahs and the local charities I don't mind so much. In my experience, they stand out of the way, quietly going about their business.

    It's the Amnesty types that annoy me. I happily say no, multiple times if (see: always) necessary. I'm not intimidated or bothered, but I know other people are. My GF looks to cross the street as they usually jump out in front of her, hand outstretched with some faux cheer or bull**** to try draw you in.

    Just the other day I saw a American teen, Mormon guy, follow a old woman who had to say no five times, and kept badgering her.

    It's usually the old or young teens, usually girls, that get stuck taking to this motley crew of dickheads because most other people can happily say no.

    If it was up to me, I'd ban all that type of activity. While not intimidating for the majority, nobody should feel awkward or bullied into talking to some dope on the way to Tesco for milk.

    Is it possible to ban this type of chugging, and would you support an effort to do so?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 189 ✭✭Chijj


    Just do the same thing I do for jury duty

    "I'm prejudiced against all races"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,750 ✭✭✭fleet_admiral


    Steelcap toe to the bollix usually works


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 24,465 ✭✭✭✭darkpagandeath


    Just say you are a bigoted, Satanist, Racist.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 64 ✭✭22catch


    Limerick is fairly bad for it alright. Usually my 'resting bitch face' means they leave me alone, if not I'll either blank them or say no thanks, failing that saying f uck off usually works with the die hards.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,592 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    After the apocalypse Beatles,Ants and chuggers will be the only life forms left.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,517 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    No, no thanks, no, it's ok, no, no I don't want another thread about chuggers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    Next time they shove the bucket in your face say "thanks" and run off with it. They hide their buckets from me now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,328 ✭✭✭Magico Gonzalez


    I generally smile, say no and keep walking.

    All terribly difficult.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,622 ✭✭✭blue note


    I used to give out about these guys a lot. However, they never bother me anymore and now I wonder why. Do I just look a bit mean? Possibly I do.

    It's like getting ID'd when I was younger. I used to give out about it and wonder how they could think I was 17 when I was in fact 20, but now it would be nice if it happened again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,384 ✭✭✭✭Birneybau


    Chainsaw.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,384 ✭✭✭✭Birneybau


    kneemos wrote: »
    After the apocalypse Beatles,Ants and chuggers will be the only life forms left.

    Ringo and Paul?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,547 ✭✭✭Agricola


    I think chuggers are generally fairly selective about who they talk to. Body language has a lot to do with it. Someone I know is forever plagued by them because he has a big smiley face and makes eye contact with them, despite the fact he has no inclination to be giving away money at all. I worked out years ago that a bit of a scowl and keep looking straight ahead works a treat, they usually turn on their heel and bother someone else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,592 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    I generally smile, say no and keep walking.

    All terribly difficult.


    They do bother some people I presume the point is.
    Plus anything with that much positivity needs to be stamped put.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,398 ✭✭✭✭Turtyturd


    For the Concern ones say 'It doesn't concern me' and laugh as you walk by. For the others just tell them to f*ck off and get a proper job.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭Barry Badrinath


    Just ask them loads of questions OP.

    This will annoy the fcuk out of them and they will go away.

    If you need assistance with a question list, I'm sure Kneemos aka "The Riddler" can help you out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48,990 ✭✭✭✭Lithium93_


    I just ignore them...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,138 ✭✭✭✭elperello


    I generally smile, say no and keep walking.

    All terribly difficult.

    I don't even bother saying no.
    Just a big friendly salute and keep moving.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭full_irish


    Tell them you already donate to that charity. They then don't bother you, thank you and wish you a good day.


    Fair enough I'm lying, but 'warm-fuzzy feeling' usually balances out the lying.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,430 ✭✭✭RWCNT


    There's tons in Manchester but they never come up to me. I must look like a mean bastard.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,750 ✭✭✭fleet_admiral


    Hep op have you got a sec?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,908 ✭✭✭✭mfceiling


    Had one stop me in dublin one day. I was in no rush so I let him give his big spiel. At the end he asked me for my bank details.
    Jesus christ I says, who knows their bank details.
    He then asks me for a contact number.
    Ok I says, you'll have to start with 0044 because it's a northern number.
    Oh you're no good to us he says..you have to be a resident in ROI and have a bank account here.
    Ah no bother buddy...talk to you later.
    Hopefully I saved some of the rest of you being plagued by his big happy head.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,594 ✭✭✭✭Mr.Crinklewood


    Talk to them in Irish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,667 ✭✭✭Frynge


    Me; oh, trocraire.
    Chugger; No, concern.
    Me; me neither.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 488 ✭✭The Sun King


    Why someone would give their bank details to someone on the street is beyond me. Never mind that they look like scraggy, ex-HMV employees. So alternative!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,751 ✭✭✭✭For Forks Sake




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭Laphroaig52


    I'm not sure why people find this so difficult.....

    Interpersonal skills 101
    If you want to interact with someone, first make eye contact.
    If you don't want to interact, avoid eye contact.
    Class Dismissed

    Don't make eye contact with these people and most of them won't even attempt to speak to you in the first place.

    People come up with some many bizarre, complex - albeit occasionally humorous - ways to respond to Chuggers but really it's as simple as avoiding eye contact.....or as someone else said, just ignore them.

    Try it. It works.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,691 ✭✭✭Lia_lia


    I was walking through Cork city once and a chugger for some charity (think it was Trocaire) came up to me. I just said "sorry I don't have time". He shouted back at me "neither do the dying children in Africa". Felt like punching him!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 275 ✭✭Rabo Karabekian


    I'm not sure why people find this so difficult.....

    Interpersonal skills 101
    If you want to interact with someone, first make eye contact.
    If you don't want to interact, avoid eye contact.
    Class Dismissed

    Don't make eye contact with these people and most of them won't even attempt to speak to you in the first place.

    People come up with some many bizarre, complex - albeit occasionally humorous - ways to respond to Chuggers but really it's as simple as avoiding eye contact.....or as someone else said, just ignore them.

    Try it. It works.

    This works for the most part (headphones help too). There are a few that go a level above, normally involving stepping into your way and/or holding out their hand for a handshake.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,785 ✭✭✭KungPao


    Old dears get it bad from all of them - from Religious nuts, to misery mercenaries, to chancers pretending they need money for their bus ticket. Must suck for them.

    It is so ****ing annoying out there in city centres...was even worse when I smoked - idiots feeling I am obliged to hand them a smoke for no reason and giving agro when I say no. Dicks.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,431 ✭✭✭MilesMorales1


    Agricola wrote: »
    I think chuggers are generally fairly selective about who they talk to. Body language has a lot to do with it. Someone I know is forever plagued by them because he has a big smiley face and makes eye contact with them, despite the fact he has no inclination to be giving away money at all. I worked out years ago that a bit of a scowl and keep looking straight ahead works a treat, they usually turn on their heel and bother someone else.

    This is true. I'm a right grumpy **** and none of them have approached me in years.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,513 ✭✭✭✭Lucyfur


    I smile and say "no thank you" like a normal person. Unless it's dogs trust. Then they are the ones running away from me with all my questions about what kind of food and bedding the woggies will get for my €5 a month. And if I give €10 a month can they have better food and nicer bedding? And what about treats? Will they get treats? Cos every woggy deserves a treat. And what about sad woggies wot are sick? Can I pay extra to make them better? AND IS THERE CATS TRUST...I LOVE CATS TOOO....COME BACK MR CHUGGER...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,414 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    I just tell them that the direct debit is in place.
    It's not but at least he/she will leave me alone.

    This too shall pass.



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,891 ✭✭✭prinzeugen


    flazio wrote: »
    I just tell them that the direct debit is in place.
    It's not but at least he/she will leave me alone.

    Shouldn't have to make up excuses for them though.

    They should not be in your face in the first place.

    I just say NO and keep walking. Especially to the ones you get camped out inside supernarkets now.

    I think they need to get about 182 people to give €5 a month just to cover one chuggers wages for the month.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,452 ✭✭✭✭The_Valeyard


    Do the Jehovahs and Mormons ever have a turf war over over houses to call at?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,414 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    prinzeugen wrote: »
    Shouldn't have to make up excuses for them though.

    They should not be in your face in the first place.

    I just say NO and keep walking. Especially to the ones you get camped out inside supernarkets now.

    I think they need to get about 182 people to give €5 a month just to cover one chuggers wages for the month.
    I agree.
    This new trick they are trying is very worrying.
    I'm sure you've all seen tv ads that say you can help a dog, child, refugee for something like €4 before telling you to text a word to a number. It's presented in such a way as to mislead someone who doesn't read the small print that you would be donating phone credit / phone billing to the charity when in reality it's giving charities permission to ring you and chug you over the phone.

    This too shall pass.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,500 ✭✭✭✭DEFTLEFTHAND


    I find a curt 'no thank you' does the job when confronted by gangs of chuggers or wackjobs. Remember to never slow down or make prolonged eye contact with them, just go about your way in a brisk manner. Let them see that you are a busy person who doesn't have time for such nonsense.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,604 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Golgafrinchan Ark B


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭Fleawuss


    Ha OP you make it sound like a biblical plague of chuggers. I find it useful to wrap my coat tightly and mutter Allah al Akbar Allah al Akbar increasing the volume as they approach. Followed swiftly by the sight of chuggers back peddling furiously.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,792 ✭✭✭Gandalph


    You can also say that you seen that their charities CEO took a 500k bonus last year and you think this really immoral, get really mad and storm off. If there is a bucket about make sure to kick it...just for effect. Kicking buckets just makes it seem that that person is really angry, so it's believable. You could even kick a bucket (granted there is one about) before they approached you, this would make them think twice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,188 ✭✭✭wil


    I always carry a ready supply of direct debit sign up forms and if wearing the right trousers, a bucket.
    Look them straight in the eyes.
    "Help the rage-ed."


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 6,309 Mod ✭✭✭✭mzungu


    A straight 'no thanks' always does the trick and then they are gone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,222 ✭✭✭✭Strumms


    Lucyfur wrote: »
    I smile and say "no thank you" like a normal person. Unless it's dogs trust. Then they are the ones running away from me with all my questions about what kind of food and bedding the woggies will get for my €5 a month. And if I give €10 a month can they have better food and nicer bedding? And what about treats? Will they get treats? Cos every woggy deserves a treat. And what about sad woggies wot are sick? Can I pay extra to make them better? AND IS THERE CATS TRUST...I LOVE CATS TOOO....COME BACK MR CHUGGER...


    I had a guy from dogs trust call to my house a few weeks before Christmas... I literally just parked the car in the driveway after a trip to the supermarket and still had my coat on about to unload the stuff from the boot. He comes up anyway pleasant chap so I was pleasant back.. gives the spiel.. asks if I'd like to donate... I said to get rid of him really that I would but I'm really busy now and that I'd have a think and go online and give a few quid if I could as I had to unload the frozen stuff and wouldn't have time to stand there giving details etc... at this point his mood changes and he gets a little snarky and says that if I do it that way part of that donation will go to admin costs.. I replied that I'm sure any organisation has admin expenses to be paid regardless. then he comes out with this beaut..

    "well, do you not think I'm entitled to some recognition for coming here and talking to you ? " err recognition or commission ? either way.. **** off !

    hate that ****.. and chuggers in the street who jump out in front of you as in directly in the line of your walk... I never deviate they get a bit of a land when I keep going and they have to bounce back out of the way when we are pretty much nose to nose...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,622 ✭✭✭Ruu


    What part of the human body am I carrying in this bag for my tea tonight?

    Or

    Did you ever think of topping someone just to see if you can get away with it? I have! *crazy eyes*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,657 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    Why someone would give their bank details to someone on the street is beyond me. Never mind that they look like scraggy, ex-HMV employees. So alternative!

    Who even has their bank details to hand like that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,657 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    Similar but those bag packers at supermarkets are as bad. And usually not even close to a charity, just some kids leisure activity or such like.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,076 ✭✭✭✭gormdubhgorm


    For the WWF ones just tell them you are amazed they can make pandas wrestle.

    Guff about stuff, and stuff about guff.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,657 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    Strumms wrote: »
    I had a guy from dogs trust call to my house a few weeks before Christmas... I literally just parked the car in the driveway after a trip to the supermarket and still had my coat on about to unload the stuff from the boot. He comes up anyway pleasant chap so I was pleasant back.. gives the spiel.. asks if I'd like to donate... I said to get rid of him really that I would but I'm really busy now and that I'd have a think and go online and give a few quid if I could as I had to unload the frozen stuff and wouldn't have time to stand there giving details etc... at this point his mood changes and he gets a little snarky and says that if I do it that way part of that donation will go to admin costs.. I replied that I'm sure any organisation has admin expenses to be paid regardless. then he comes out with this beaut..

    "well, do you not think I'm entitled to some recognition for coming here and talking to you ? " err recognition or commission ? either way.. **** off !

    hate that ****.. and chuggers in the street who jump out in front of you as in directly in the line of your walk... I never deviate they get a bit of a land when I keep going and they have to bounce back out of the way when we are pretty much nose to nose...

    That story with the guy bothering you st your house is unreal....that is the definition of a cheeky pr1ck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭MadsL


    I always ask them how much a month they donate personally to the charity they are chugging for...

    ...then use the awkward pause to escape.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 64 ✭✭22catch


    road_high wrote: »
    Similar but those bag packers at supermarkets are as bad. And usually not even close to a charity, just some kids leisure activity or such like.

    Very true, especially in December. Every time I went to the local shopping centre in December there was some primary school singing Christmas songs, or teenagers collecting for something or other. Now these kids were being bused in so I'm sure that wasn't cheap and would have eaten into whatever money they raised. I feel really strongly that only registered charities should be allowed to collect in shopping centres/supermarkets and only those charities that benefit the local community/county.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Chuggers was great in the 80s but think his career really tailed away after Saturday Superstore...


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