Attack Of The Clipboard People

Charities are great aren't they! The world would be a much sadder place without those that think of others and are selfless in their goals.

I imagine if you live in a large town or city, you will occasionally see people with clipboards collecting people’s personal information and money.

Charities and organisations looking to raise funds, their profile and to push any number of campaigns and agendas, will employ this method from time to time. In-person engagement, on the street, in public, has been shown to increase donations, for example.

I am entirely on-board with this method of reaching out to people. I take issue, though, with these clipboard people physically reaching out to me, being all grabby and generally aggressive and obstructing my path.

I’m a busy person. Get out of my way!

I regularly walk along the same street in Adelaide. Over the last couple of months I have been gradually more and more irritated by these clipboard people. I have had them tell me to stop, to not worry about catching my train or bus and that there are plenty more. I have had them sarcastically tell me to have a great day, a real great day, when I fail to stop for them. They have yelled in my face various greetings. Today I had two in a row try and get me to hang up my phone so they could speak with me. Two in a row.

 I have had the same woman try and grab me 5 days in a row too. I tried to laugh it off. But it became confronting and something I came to dread when setting off down this street. When I told her on the fifth day to please not do this, that I found it harassing, she did indeed apologise. And she hasn’t repeated it. But she doesn’t have to, because there are plenty more grabby clipboard people to take her place. I can’t have this same conversation with each of them. I can't be THAT person. Plus, I am usually in a rush.

These people are not the ones I imagine when I think of the selfless good guys putting themselves out there to help those truly in need.

I called the local council and complained. Apparently the someone I spoke to will have another someone look into this issue. Hmmmm. It was all a bit vague, but I will see if things improve. I have let it be known I disapprove of the conduct of the clipboard people and I will keep faith they will behave better in future...

Do you have any hints on how to handle these little street hustlers?