Personal Blogs

I forgot to put this in here on Sunday, thought I meant to. So this is for then! I have a number of charities that I give to, not to mention the food I buy for the local homeless and the baccy I buy for a friendly and non-guilt-inducing Big Issue seller. I never buy a Big Issue though; it is of no interest to me. I never give anyone money; I'd rather buy myself a drink than them. I never agree to direct debits on the street; I don't trust strangers, however bright their jacket and charity slogans may be. I never give to anyone who knocks on my door, and invades my personal space. I went into town on Sunday as I needed 3 items from 3 shops. In the first shop, I bought a pair of jeans. When I got to the till, I was first charged for a bag, which is annoying in itself. When they do that I usually ask if they have one without the shop name on it. It's lost on most people, but I resent paying for the privilege of advertising their business. I turn the bag inside out before I leave the shop. THEN, they ask if I'd like to add a pound to my bill for comic relief. Um, no I wouldn't; oddly, I just wanted to buy jeans. Then there's this uncomfortable slow passing of time, while I feel guilty as they finish off the transaction. This happened in all 3 shops! There were very clear signs by every till saying you could add the pound, and what's ironic, is that I was going to, and would have if I hadn't felt like I was being forced. I hate that. It pissed me right off, and put me in a really bad mood. Then, when I got home, my phone rang, and it was a charity, who said that as I'd given money before, they were just phoning to try and get some more. NO!! I'm not stupid!!! I know how to give money away. I don't need help with it. I know what means something to me, and I know what doesn't. Ultimately, I know my own mind, am more generous than most in my giving, and am coming close to being unreasonable to the next person who approaches me for money, not knowing that a small rage has been building for several years!!! I won't, but it actually makes me want to cancel everything I already do, apart from the real people on the street who at least get immediate benefit from a sandwich.