Do you get mean looks from the "bell-ringers" if you don't drop some change in their bucket?

At least I’ve matured a bit from my teen years where I would drop a bunch of change on the ground and say “yours if ya want it.”

Asshole. They aren’t beggars.

I usually give change if I have it. I even give to people I know will buy booze or drugs. Hard times are hard times, and that’s nothing to laugh about (unless it’s a sign with bad English translation).

@squirbel: lmao… I actually dropped a tear on that one

Looks more like a brown pile of shite to me.

Sorry, feeling exceptionally aggressive today. Where is the giving spirit?

I always try to give. I once even gave money to a man who said he was a member of the UNPF (United Negro Pizza Fund).

The salvation army people are usually very nice and smile most of the time, even if you don’t give.

It’s all good squirbel. All in good fun.

Besides, I enjoy negativity.

I usually try to give to someone if I have a little change in my pocket. One morning all I had was a dime. A man said “hey dude you got a dime so I can get something to eat?” I remembered that I had a dime so I gave him what I had. He looked at the dime and said “sht that’s all” I got so furious I turned to him and said next time I will not give you anything when he saw my anger and that I was ready to take the dime back he changed his tune and said “oh thank you brother thank you thank you”. He almost ruined my day.

I give where I can. You can also set up your own online Red Kettle for the Salvation Army

I’ve never gotten a scowl…after all, in most cases you’re going to pass by the kettle twice (once going in to the store, and again on your way out) and at least one of those times you’re not going to donate. I think they know that from the get-go. That said, I rarely pass one without throwing whatever change I’ve got in.

I have never gotten a scowl, either. I give when I can – when I have change or cash, but I don’t have a lot of that in my purse, anyway. IF I have cash, my husband finds it before I can spend it!

I try to keep change and cash in my purse sometimes, though – especially this time of year. This, to me, is one of the best ways to teach my little guy (I started my older daughter this way) to give to others. We give in other ways, too, but this is instant. He sees the money go to a charity and learns that while he is receiving, it’s always better to give.

I never get a scowl….‘course I’m not looking for one either (like it sounds you are :-)...

No, I’m too busy giving them dirty looks for annoying the crap out of everyone with their incredibly obnoxious bells.

I make it a policy to donate whatever change is in my pockets to any bell-ringers who AREN’T actually ringing the bell when I pass by.

@squirble, interesting response. Are you saying it would be acceptable to behave that way towards a homeless beggar?

squirbel* is the correct spelling.

No, that is the typical way people donate to beggars. I do not condone that derisive and condescending method of assistance.

If it were me, I’d chuck those coins so hard at the back of the giver’s head. I’d wait, too – till they turned their back.

… and Sakata’s the asshole here? Man. Takes one to know one, I guess.

That’s how the saying goes. Grats to your being able to remember that quip.

>No, that is the typical way people donate to beggars.

I have never seen anyone behave that way. Never. Most often I see simple ignoring.

No one has to donate, whether to a charitable collection or a hard-luck panhandler. But either giving or not giving, there is no reason for rudeness. Why not give with a smile and a courteous and respectful manner? or decline with a rueful smile, a slight shake of the head, and “sorry”? How much does that cost?

I’ve been that person on the street – while I was in college. You weren’t. I know what it’s like.

ahhh, so some anonymous people were jerks to you, so you feel it’s now your turn to be jerks to everyone else? I understand. Thanks for clearing that up.

This thread is completely out of character for me – and it all began with the OP’s comment about At least I’ve matured a bit from my teen years where I would drop a bunch of change on the ground and say “yours if ya want it.”

I’m never this abrasive. So screw you for being insensitive.

And to everyone who’s read all this I say thank you and you’re welcome.

My gift to you. Merry Christmas

I never ever have cash on me, so I can never donate. I do feel bad when walking past the Salvation Army guys because of it, but it does make me feel less guilty about beggars on the street. Sometimes, if someone is asking for money and they’re nice from the get go, I offer to buy them some food down the street. Most of the time, that doesn’t go over well and they just walk away.

Sakata, child: When I see such an immature question, I will sometimes look at the profile to see if we are dealing with a pre-adolescent or an unemployed 40 yo idiot. Luckily you seem to be the former. So I am thinking it is a lack of experience in adult behavior rather than a personality disorder that explains this question. Here are a couple of hints:

1. You are new to this site according to your profile yet you have asked a dozen questions in less than 2 weeks and only received 95 “lurve” points. When you go into a new environment, it is wiser to look around and make note of the culture so you know who you are dealing with.

2. It is unwise to go shooting off your mouth. You may think that being crudely outrageous is funny, but it only indicates a callow nature and if most of us want to deal with that we would be teaching middle school.

3. You need to work on your communication skills. You didn’t come even close to funny or sarcastic or whatever you were aiming at. You just look stupid by pretending you would disrespect people who are raising money for the needy. Any adult can recognize an adolescent fantasy when s/he reads one.

So here is my advice. If you want to be taken seriously in this community, check out what is happening here and join in thoughtfully. On the other hand if you just want to show off, go do skateboard tricks in the schoolyard. Be sure to wear your helmet.

And if I am mistaken and you are in fact an unemployed 40 yo idiot, turn off the computer, clean up your room and go set the table for your mom. <;)

I… I think I’m in love.

@galileogirl: Oh, I forgot to ask… is it all about lurve points? I see you’ve got almost 3k of them so you’re a good one to ask. What can you do with ‘em. Yes, I’m new around here so I don’t know some of the details. Is there a lurve store or something?

nope. They’re meaningless. Like points in a video game.

Awesome, thanks

No, I have never had a scowl from one because I have never gone past a bell ringer for the Salvation Army without dropping a dollar or more in the bucket. I also send a donation through the web site each year. They do the most good with every cent of money they get- and really care for the homeless and needy in many ways. In my opinion, they are the most honest of all the charities I can think of. Those volunteers that ring the bell do that in awful weather (-10 degrees here today), and are not doing it for themselves, either. Sakata, do some research.

For the record, I’m not saying anything negative about any of the volunteers in your respective areas. I simply asked if any of you have been in the same situation as I in receiving said scowls. Don’t think I go store to store messing with these people for fun like it’s some kind of juvenile, testosterone-filled, popularity contest. Everything I’ve stated thus far has only been in reaction to negativity.

I’m not even saying anything against them. Hell, if I were out there ringing a bell all day and it was THAT cold, I’d be pissed too. There appears to be a slight miscommunication in all of this.

A lot of tension in here lol

@ Sakata: I think you struck a nerve with your insensitivity. Granted, it’s your right to say what you feel and if you choose not to put money in that change bucket, that’s on you. And nobody should scowl at you for not wanting to do so. But to provoke the situation by pretending to enjoy being stingy, I could see how one might call you an asshole for it. And you’re right for the record: alotta people on fluther get extra sensitive. Personally, some of these moderators need to pull the stick out their ass and get a life. But not to completely digress, I throw some change in the bucket whenever I can. I have gotten scolded by a few homeless ppl before when I wasn’t able to, but I just keep it moving. You never know what the next man (or woman) is going through.

There was a guy last year outside one of the apple stores in San Diego dressed as Santa. had the bell and the bucket and the whole deal. I dropped a 5 in his bucket and he actually asked me “Is that all?”.

I understand that it was an upscale mall and that most of the shoppers there had a certain degree of disposable income, but i was offended!

The funny thing though that made it all worth while was that apparently another bell ringer for the organization who’s logo “santa” was using saw him and called the cops. Turns out the guy was a fake and was just trying to get some cash for himself. They actually escorted them off the grounds (not sure if he was arrested or cited or anything).

As i saw him get dragged away i smiled and thought “is that all?”.

No. I do not. I usually donate in this fashion if I have money to waste. That is rare.