oh, end of financial year

[tielan]

Already received: three calls from organisations I've donated to in the past. And assorted charities have been sending mail like paper is going out of style. Frankly, I don't mind giving. I just hate having to converse with people who are trying to be friendly but are really just asking for money. I'm cynical and listen to all the carefully-worded phrases intended to press-gang you into donating whether by guilt, encouragement, or even just default.

As an example of 'default' let me just present to you the call I just took from a performing arts group. After the spiel about how my money helped last year, with specific reference to the performances my sister and I went to, the caller went:

"So, [insert name here], how much would you like to donate this year to [performing arts organisation]?"

Nice presumption in the question there: you're going to donate, the only question is how much?

I'm pretty sure that [charity organisation] called me earlier this month. And last night was [volunteer organisation]. I'm trying to think of any other organisations I've donated to in the last year or if this is likely to be the last of the calls.

Next time someone calls, I'm tempted to just ask: "where are you from, and how much do you want from me?" And if they insist on going through the spiel of what a nice person I am and how generous I was last year, I might very well just hang up on them.

They don't need to butter me up to get me to donate. And I really dislike the buttering up process.

Comments

[jelazakazone]

I feel exactly the same way. In fact, I'm starting to lean towards not wanting to donate to orgs that CALL me. Mail is bad, but calls are worse.

[tielan]

Yeah, I know that feeling. My patience has grown very short in the last year, and I'm just not up to dealing with people who are friendly because they want something out of me.