Is it rude to completely ignore a person soliciting for charity at the outside of a store

Question

or should we at least acknowledge them even though we don't plan on donating

Answer 1

If you do not plan to donate to their cause then there's no reason form you to acknowledge them in any way.  They are not there to make friends, but to collect money.

Answer 2

no just walk away anyway they can get a job

Answer 3

I usually smile at them, maybe say hello, but don't make any real contact or look too enthusiastic (unless it's the Cats' Protection League, which I do donate to).

That's if they're quietly holding the donation pot. If they're pushing, I make sarcastic comments.

Answer 4

Depends on how they are presenting the charity.  Usually a smile and nod are considered polite.

Answer 5

Personally, if I don't plan on giving them anything, I usually pretend like they do not even exist. I walk right on by, not looking them in the eyes...

I don't know whether it is rude or not. Perhaps it is.

But at least it's pretty d**n effective! And really.. They are most likely not going to care! People pass by them absolutely all the time anyway.

Think of yourself, for once. You do NOT want them begging you for money if you cannot afford to give them anything in the first place. They have been trained to grab you if you look, and ask you for donations right away. So it's smarter not to do it, or at least that's how I see it, personally.

Answer 6

You should acknowledge them if you are spoken to or approached by them. Respond with either a donation or an indication that you don't intend to donate, for whatever reason. If not approached or spoken to it is not inappropriate to simply go on about your business without any acknowledgment of their presence. You should not feel obligated to engage in some kind of explanatory argument about why you don't want to donate. A simple statement like "I choose not to donate" should be enough.

Answer 7

~~Well, my husband and I are always debating this one. He won't achknowledge them at all.  I feel they are just doing a job, so I always say sorry can't do it today. I feel it's demeaning to the solicitor, hubby thinks he shouldn't be bothered (which I do wish there were not charities drives everywhere you go anymore). So I guess it just depends on you personality. There is not real correct answer.~~

Answer 8

If they acknowledge you and you don't plan on giving them anything, just say "no thank you" and keep walking.

Answer 9

Everytime I see people like that at a store I'll pull out my cell phone and PRETEND to be talking to someone until I get in the store.

I hate it when people beg for money.  I need money myself so I can't afford to give any away.

What really bothers me is people standing at stop lights.  When the light turns red and cars are stopping they walk car to car asking for money.  Here again that's when I pretend to be talking on my phone and I ignore them when they come walking up to my car knocking on my window.

Answer 10

When they ask for a donation, just say "No thank you". and keep walking.

Answer 11

I'll presume you mean solicitors like The Salvation Army or some other kind charity because most stores do not allow beggars or homeless to conduct thier "business" around the vicinity.

I usually make the attempt to drop a few pennies in the bucket or small change if I have any. Unfortunately all i carry is plastic, so most of the time I have nothing to give. What I usually do is shake my head and walk past briskly. A lot of these workers don't care if you give or not because thier job doesn't depend on it. After sitting and repeating the same thing for hours on, they don't even look at you, just repeat the mundane "donate" call.

On the subject, I really don't find it necessary for walmart to have 6 salvation army people out thier at the SAME exit destroying my sensitive ears with thier holiday bells.