First of all, sorry LGM because you had to wait for me again, I expect you to be joining pump since you asked if I was joining pump. And, thanks for the "present" - I love presents :).
There was a slight delay going into the gym because firstly there was a office "crisis"; Then it was my detour to the pet shop to get stuff for my little baby; AND a complete waste of time with this charity booth at the connecting bridge between TC and IKANO...
I must have passed by this booth for a hundred times, so today when I was passing by for my hundredth-and-one time, I decided to hear them out and perhaps spare some money to the needy. I was also in the mood.
The person: Blah blah blah... planning to build a new building to house the orphans, and there will be learning centre blah blah... in blah blah...
(Can't even remember what she said... so,)
TTB: Can you perhaps give me something to read, or a source for me to check this out first? My company also has a charity fund, perhaps I can look into recommending for an amount to be donated?
TP: Oh, you mean you want to perhaps send a cheque at a bigger sum for a "one off" donation?
(So strange, why use "one-off" to describe donation? But,)
TTB: Yeah, or perhaps we can visit the shelters you are currently supporting...
(I thought maybe I can plan for my next family visit to the orphanage...)
TP: But we are only "promoting" this plan here, it's a monthly contribution which you can stop anytime you want...
I really lost her there... retrace, I thought we were talking about donations to the orphans or something? Apparently it's a scheme or some sort where you authorise them for schedule deduction from your credit card.
TTB: Okay, perhaps let me check this out before I make any donations, I'm sorry to be rude but there are many activities going on now a days in the name of donations.
(What? I am being too "cynical" or what? Anyways,)
TP: You might not get as much information as I can provide you over here, maybe let me go through with you the information I have... This plan is by XXX (a renowned insurance company) and we (they) are collecting funds for blahblahblah...
(Seriously, I got really impatient with her, couldn't really hear what she said, besides, hey, I don't have ALL night you know?!)
TTB: okay, why don't you just give me the reading materials? And like I said, perhaps we send cheque.
Nope! She didn't have any to give me...
Okay... she might not have used the word "promoting" but to me it has been perceived as a sales promotion or some sort. Are we not talking about donations here? Shouldn't one be flexible when you are doing something out of passion? Shouldn't one accept whatever the donor had to, or can afford to offer?
To end my conversation with her, I said "Madam. You see, why I was hoping to get more information from you was because perhaps we can visit the shelters ourselves. Most of the time, we feel different when we really reach out to the children instead of just dropping a few notes into the funds."
She begun to say something like "but you are also reaching out by..."
Whatever, I really lost interest all together and got upset with this woman.
Sigh... I THOUGHT I was being kind to stop by, but I would have better off just said "no thank you" and walked off as usual. Perhaps people like me with limited cash to spare for donation is not "qualified" to participate in these kind of charity funds/ scheme. Perhaps people like me who is hoping for some options towards the amount and ways of donating is not "welcomed" to inquire at such booth. Perhaps people like me is having the wrong idea of what "reaching out" and charity means.
5 comments:
Geezz... even reading your blog make my blood boils a bit! What is she on?! Must be a money making gimmick! It is sad that these days we are not as trusting as our grandpa and grandma age.. but face the facts.. there are a lot of people out there who really are there to con your hard earn money (or I like to call them money sucking monsters), these people do not believe in consequences and has no moral or guilt. It is because of the existing of these people, we are less and less trusting or as you said more cynical towards the world and anyone who dare to approach us to "promote" anything in the shopping mall...Sad.. very sad indeed... and more frequently you see that the promoters are school leavers who have been promised the fast earn cash by promoting all these.. and they are very pushy and annoying!
Good morning!
Read this First thing in the morning.... 7.25, early lehhh?? (heh heh)
but your dearest sis beat me to comment.
No point having your blood boiling babe... Some of these people are hired to do the job. Perhaps they get commission (perhaps not)
Nex time don't bother stopping if they are running a donation drive.(if they put a box there then perhaps you can drop in a few notes)
Anyways, my suggestion if you wanna go visit homes/shelter is make it a fixed time (like once a month,or more - and stick to it)
aih. no nid to say thankyou la... lolz. yday ady say ma....
Hope u like 'em. I love the glazed honey raisins... hahahaha!!!
LGM
Yes yes... we try to keep to quarterly visit to the shelters... MC pls keep us to our schedule k haha... ya lah, better ignore these "promoters"... have a good week everyone!
I heard most of these organisations charge a fee to the charity they are supposed to be helping. In most instances, the charity actually only receives very little of what the organisation makes. Which means, the lady probably does get a commission from her "sales".
Sad to say, even WWF has become like this, they ask for monthly "donations" of like 50 bucks.
Oh? so one of our KPI is quarterly visit to orphange ah? Hee.. just finished drafting the KPI for my division yesterday.. so now my head is filled with it.
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