Side Street Salesman
Are you like me and try to avoid at all costs the sidewalk peddlers? Do you go to an extreme to cross the street to avoid them? Or act like you are talking on the phone so they won't bother you?
I dont go that far but I do try to skirt by or behind people when there is a petition signer. They look at you and call you out, but all you do is stare and say sorry. You have to be thick skinned to be good at that job. I've run into initiative signers, environmental lobbyists, political advertisers, you name it! Seattle is thriving with sidewalk lovers. My favorite are the REAL CHANGE people. If you go to UW, you MUST visit the University District Safeway, with the guy that says ‘Real change, have a nice day sir/ma’am". He is the best and my favorite!
Obviously, the people pushing these issues are passionate about what cause they want people to be aware of. You know the bad ones, they just stand there and not really do anything. Well today, there was one on every corner of downtown from where I work to Qdoba which is 5 blocks away. I went to Qdoba today because I got a free burrito. Luckily, I weaved my way through without detection to Qdoba and all the way until the last stoplight… Then this lady asked me a question, and I wasn’t going to be unpolite and ignore her, so I talked. Total mistake. Now if you start a conversation, you have committed yourself to at least 3 more lines min. Unless you do that walk and talk 'sorry got to go;' excuse. I, however, was stuck at a freshly turned red light, which meant I was there for a while….
The nice young lady asked me if I had heard of Children International, you can sponsor a child. I said No but that my parents sponsor some children and we do a lot of ministry work for them.
NOTE: now all of this while I am dressed up in a suit and holding a free burrito in my hand
The lady brashly asks, do you spend money on frivolous things? You look like a well off man. I mean you bought that burrito right? You should have money to sponsor a child. (and of course I am blessed and I try to look sharp)
My response: Well actually I am paying of some debts to be in a better financial situation to sponsor and help children. I actually got this burrito for free.
Lady thinks I’m lying. The light turns green. Thank God. Although I did want to hear more about what Children International did.
As I am walking away, the young lady shouts: WHEN YOU START CARING, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SPONSOR A CHILD.
This got me thinking. Did that girl actually hear what she was saying? Does she think people that don’t sponsor a child, don’t care about others?
I am the first to admit that I can work on helping those in need more. I admit, when financially able, you should give to those in need. The whole experience left a bitter taste in my mouth. Yet to an extent, she was right. When I truly believe an organization or know someone great, I give to that. I don’t like giving to things I don’t know. But there is no way I am going to be able to ‘know’ about an organization with a talk on a street corner, on my way to something else. At first, I was surprised by the coarseness from what looks like a great non profit organization. Children International would do some justice by evaluating their staff a little better.
Do you think your time too valuable for side street peddlers? Do you ignore them at all costs?
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