Clipboard Slalom

I’m fed up with not being able to walk in a straight line in central London (particularly Leicester Square) for having to sidestep and avoid throngs of unwashed students asking me if I can “spare two minutes for the someone less fortunate”.

Fair play that they’re taking time out of their day to support a charity, and it isn’t the charities per se that I’ve got an issue with; it’s the clipboard-brandishing little sods that won’t leave you alone after you’ve said “no I don’t want to talk to you.”

Ba Humbug.

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Eddie you're not wrong mate, these swines really get on my nerves. I've actually developed a few techniques to get round 'em.

1. The Head down power through.
All you have to do is look to the ground and walk fast and with a purpose, they won't dare break your stride.

2. The mobile phone dummy.
If your mobile is close to hand pretend to be using it. You need 30 seconds prep time to pull off this dummy.


These techniques don't always work as some of these clipboarders have no regard for your privacy.

Anyone got any other techniques?

Mog

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Great suggestions The Mog,

There’s always:
3. the Wide-Berth:
this is a blinder to play if you’re making it abundantly obvious that you’re making a big effort to avoid them.
Just look them straight in the eye, never loose their gaze, and then make the biggest circle to bypass them, all the while ignoring everything that they say to you. It can be a rookie mistake to make eye contact with a clip-boarder but the fruits of your labour will be rewarded when they see how much effort you’re putting in to avoid them. It’s just plain hurtful.
This technique is only to be employed by Pro Clipboard-slalomers.

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Eddie,
The bird in your picture has made a rookie mistake: she's stopped to chat.

In a conflict situation she'd be KIA.

If you stop and chat you're asking for trouble, they'll have your creditcard details off you in a flash.

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4 - the "Double-Team"
If you're traveling in tandem with a friend be sure to begin the world's most interesting conversation with them as you approach the clipboarder. If possible be sure to make the chat really raucous including high volume laughter if possible - so that even if the clipboarder tries to cut in with an "excuse me” they’ll be drowned out by the noise of jolly good friends having a jolly good chat.
It’s a winner.

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Have some heart! I am an ex street sales rep and it is seriously damaging to a persons self-esteem to get turfed over and over, simply smile and say no thanks and make their day easier and walk on guilt free.

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The majority of these people are not in the slightest bit interested in the charity that they are collecting for,all they want is to get their commission for each "hit" that they score

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these guys are not doing it to support charity, they are students who do it because they dont yet have any qualifications and need the money.

I work in Ealing and every time i go out for lunch i get hassled by at least 4 of the, It is too much effort to do all of the stuff suggested, and i agree there is no need to be rude just smile and say "no sorry" and continue on your way. remember most of us work and these guys are just trying to earn a living too.

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There are plenty of other ways to raise money for charity - direct mail, charity events, leaflets left in shops, stickers, email, word of mouth etc etc.

So I have no problem saying that these guys should be banned from the streets so that we can be free to walk around without being hassled. We really shouldn't be forced to come up with ways to dodge them.

Come on guys, ditch the clipboards and go and start a fun run or something!

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I think the best tactic is to remind them (and yourself) that they are doing one of the best-paid jobs available to an undergraduate student, and that their motives for this "charity" work are purely selfish. Although the charity may profit from their activities, the individual themselves is taking money from a charity, to perform a job that involves making YOU feel guilty for not giving to them. The hypocrisy of these people.

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