Some people think that there are too many people asking for money on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. the “askers” fall into two categories: the familiar faces that stake out spots and always beg for change, and the politically motivated looking for donations for various causes. Here’s a complaint about it from Brooklynian:
I am really not the kind of person who generally has a problem with the occasional non profit canvassing for donations, and I have given money to a few of them, but the 7th ave corridor is becoming one big harassment zone. I have not walked down 7th in ages without being asked if I could “spare some time” (more like money) for the environment/gay rights/ACLU/yadda yadda. Not to mention the guy posted in front of the bodega on 7th and Carroll St who asks everyone who passes for money. Then there are the kids who may or may not be gathering funds for their school/sports team/whatever. This seriously annoys me and I am wondering if anyone else is feeling overwhelmed by the canvassers. Can’t we have some limits on how often we get approached by strangers asking for money????
And, uh, here’s a rant about one particular group that canvases in Park Slope and elsewhere:
I fucking hate the GreenPeace people. They always trick me. “Do you care about the environment?” “Do you have a minute for the environment?” Yes, but I have no money to donate. “Oh, that is fine,” they say. And I sit and listen like an idiot, because I’m thinking I’ll find out some way to help or volunteer or whatever. And eventually they just ask for money. Or a pledge to give money. And I’m all, fuck you! I already told you I didn’t have any money! So now I just tell them, “No, I DO NOT fucking care about the environment.” GreenPeace fucking bastards.
But, seriously, tell us how you really feel.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Marc // Jun 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Overwhelmed by the canvassers??? I’ve noticed more of them lately (it finally being warm out and all) but I haven’t noticed them coming out in “overwhelming” force. These people are generally very easy to spot so why not just avoid eye contact and if they still ask you for your time, money, etc, JUST SAY NO.
This will save you a lot of time, time that can be spent coming up with even more asinine things to complain about.
2 Red Hook // Jun 2, 2008 at 4:09 pm
“…the 7th ave corridor is becoming one big harassment zone. ”
Not really, no. It’s about the same as it’s always been. Not any worse, not any better.
3 Anonymous // Jun 2, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Why are panhandlers always in front of the Korean places ?
Do they have some sort of arrangement with the store owners ?
4 Michael // Jun 2, 2008 at 5:42 pm
The thing that bothers me the most is when I go to the Citibank ATMs on a Sunday, there’s a guy who camps out inside the branch (so you can’t avoid him), suggesting that you could help him out “once you’re done.” In other words, “I know you’re here to get cash, so when you pass me to get out of the branch, I’d like some of your money.” That really makes me uncomfortable.
If I can pass someone in the street, it’s my choice whether to interact with them, but when he’s canvassing a bank on the inside, I really don’t have a choice, do I?