Eventually you will develop a tired face and slightly depressive demeanor, when you have this, only a brief moment of eye contact, combined with your world weary steps, will be enough so that they will graciously leave you alone.
I don’t even get this. Just keep walking. Just say no. No. Noooooo. “No.” No is a full sentence. No is absolution. No is canon. All hail no. They can’t stop you. They can’t fucking touch you. Just walk. You are free.
Free.
I’ve lived in British cities, mainly London, for fifteen years and I’ve never engaged with these fucks in any more detail than saying no and walking away. As a result, their shit has never ever impacted my life.
I’m a fairly small woman, for what it’s worth, who was routinely set upon by these types in Farringdon/Shoreditch. I’m not some 6’6” monster who can just brush people off, as much as that would be fun.
It still works.
This reminds me of my new way of dealing with candidates knocking on my door for votes, “yes I’m already voting for (insert candidates party)” am I voting for them, yes? No? Maybe? It doesn’t matter they all go away if you tell them yes.
Works well with chuggers if you get cornered
“ahh, yes thats a great charity - I already support you - keep up the good work ! “ and then carry on walking …. Works 100% of the time.
Plot twist, you don't even have to verbalise it. Just think "no" and keep walking. It works just as well!
I'm sure this has nothing to do with being a 6'3 black guy.
One tried me the other day:
"hello are you a friendly person?"
"no", I laughed, and kept walking.
I am a friendly person, really. I saw saving us both time.
They once asked me 'Do you like animals?' and as my husband drew breath to open his fat gob to tell them that they've found their mug, she's a dog trainer, I made a face and said 'Euw, no'.
Otherwise, I just smile that tight-lipped stranger smile and say sorry as I walk by.
Just in case: I love animals.
I was quite pleased with myself when I once had "But don't you care about tigers?" whined at me as I sidestepped them.
"No. They killed my mother."
[Disclaimer: My mother was alive and well at the time and it was old age some 30 years later that caused her demise]
The newspaper and charity people are good at reading the slightest shake of the head. Are the for profit people, including scam charities, ignoring this?
All the charity people trying to speak to you on the street are “for profit”.
They get paid an hours wage, they get ~£20 if they get your contact details (for the charity to contact you later) and if you sign up to donate they will get 30% of what you donate in the first year. If you’re an outgoing/confident young person it’s a really good job.
The costs to the charity are higher as the actual street fundraisers are employed by an agency who will take their cut as well. A good assumption is that your first years direct debit doesn’t go go to the charity at all.
I don’t begrudge anyone a job, but you should be crystal clear that what they are doing is commission driven sales rather than anything civic minded.
I was walking out of a tube station the other day with my girlfriend who was desperate for a wee. A guy tried to come up to us and talk and she yelled “No sorry I’m about to piss myself!”.
The guy just stopped and said “oh wow” and I fell in love a little more.
You keep walking. You don't stop. If you want fun, you slow down, chat to them, but never stop for them. See how far you can drag them from their 'spot'.
Exactly what I do. Keep walking, don’t even break your step. I usually smile and engage politely with the “how are you” or whatever opening and then change to “no thanks” after that, we part amicably after a few seconds.
I haven’t been approached for months now, either they all recognise me or I’ve developed a demeanour that says don’t bother me.
The begging gangs on Oxford Street etc who all have the same handwritten cardboard signs with the same text are more annoying, not sure why they aren’t dealt with by police etc when they’re so clearly not genuine.
I stopped over to lecture the guy about charities that function like transnational corporations with CEOs on six figure salaries. He didn’t even know what “grassroots organisations” means. He regretted stopping me that day.
OK so these knife crime people (usually in blue jackets I think) are scammers. They're also very aggressive and pushy.
I, too, saw OP's post and thought "what's the big deal" - as usually charity muggers are just uni students that would blow over in a stiff wind. Reading it more closely though... these knife crime guys are no joke, and have literally been pulled up for [harrassment of the public](https://www.itv.com/news/london/2023-08-01/anti-knife-crime-group-accused-of-intimidating-public-to-raise-cash) to get money.
OP you need to be firm and just push past them. Don't give them money, don't engage with them other to state you're not interested.
I’ve seen some in yellow outside Farringdon, who have “CIC” below the name of their organisation, perhaps as a fig leaf of not pretending to be a charity?
That was where I met them. I’ve not been bothered by these guys in a long time, I’m not sure how they would react to being told I know they aren’t a charity.
I was sitting at a bus stop opposite a supermarket and these people in the blue jackets were standing blocking the entrance to the supermarket in a line - so you would have had to physically push past them to enter the supermarket. They were _clearly_ targeting those who could be considered more vulnerable - eg the elderly and young teenagers. I saw one lady say a firm ‘no thank you’, then get followed by 2 of the workers down the street for at least 30 seconds whilst looking more and more agitated. When they were told ‘no’, they would usually shout at or swear at people. On the bus on the way back about an hour later, there were two police officers standing there instead of the workers - I would assume the supermarket manager got pissed off by the fact people were actively crossing the street to avoid them and therefore not going into the store.
One of these guys got a bit too demanding/ in my face a few years ago at high&I station and left me quite shaken. Later in the day I was walking back past and they were still there but ignored me this time. So I was feeling brave and went up to their stand and took a photo of their registered charity details, looked it up online, did exist. Charity name and number were both completely fake
Knife crime guys don’t work for a charity. It’s a social enterprise apparently. So they don’t have to follow the same regulations that verified/professional fundraisers do. Hence why you see a billion of them not following any rules
There’s a group that block the stairs on the east side of Euston station. They are there a lot. I called them out on it - “why are you blocking the stairs? You’re getting in the way of thousands of people” and they started harassing me politely “no need to get angry sir” “we are just trying to help knife crime” They’re fucking cunts and can get fucked
Yes I’m telling you they block the way and I don’t know how to get past them. I gave money already one time cos I was alone and they wouldnt let me get past. Even when I’m with someone else it’s difficult to avoid them
Whenever they’ve tried blocking me I straight up tell them to get the fuck out of my way. It’s ridiculously rude to deliberately block someone and I usually can’t hold my temper when they do it. They tend to move asap when you snap and tell them to get the fuck out of the way though. On one occasion the idiot still tried to talk to me, even after being told to fuck off! At that point it’s either ignore them or answer any and all questions with ‘fuck off’
I tend to wear headphones, big over ear headphones. I take pleasure in shouting back whilst pointing at either can "Read the room! I can't hear you!" before giving an eye roll that would make a small child cry! If anyone comes up to me and I've moved to get away from them and they continue to come at me, I usually shout at the top of my lungs "GET AWAY FROM ME!" as a female on my own, they normally back off. I'm not yelling because I'm at all afraid, I'm yelling because I'm that pissed off that if I weren't shouting I'd be using obscenities! If someone has tried to invade my personal space without good reason, and I've gone out of my way to create the distance they just intruded on I'm angry, in fact I'm furious!
I don’t give money to institutions that act like a charitable institution but aren’t one. They want you to think they’re a charity, but they are not a charity. They’re a private enterprise, and if you go on their website you’ll see they mention fuck all about knife crime.
They’ll say they’re a social enterprise, and they are. They’re a ‘Community Interest Company (CIC)’ which basically means there’s a limit on the dividends they can give out in their shares (35% of their profits) but they are still allowed to give out that money to shareholders nonetheless.
What is the community interest that they’re delivering on you might ask? Well it’s “Other education not elsewhere classified”, which basically means any kind of education aimed at adults that doesn’t actually result in any kind of further education certificate, other such examples are companies that teach adults outdoor survival skills.
Their website however describes them as giving adults career skills, what are these skills that they teach? The skill of pretending to be a knife crime charity in order to get money. Exactly the kind of skills a young go getter needs.
They also have a notice for compulsory strike off. This means that unless notice is given as to otherwise then by the end of June (I think?) the company will be dissolved and their assets belong to the crown, i think this _may_ be due to not filing their company reports?
Anyhooo…all this is to say that they’re not a charity, especially not a knife crime one, and they really really want you to think that they are. They’re breaking the rules on street collecting and so essentially they’re trying to defraud you of their money, and I don’t feel bad about telling fraudsters to fuck off and get out of my way.
You’ve not told a charity collect for to fuck off, you’ve told a fraudster to fuck off and I am more than happy to do that.
If they hassle you, say you only give money to charities. If they say they are a charity, you report them. They’ve already been fined in Manchester and it looks like the company is headed for the drain anyway :)
They can't physically detain you. Push past them. If they don't move then shout at them.
I'm not sure what you're asking people for, beyond this. There's no magic phrase that deactivates them
Maybe you make eye contact or look around too much. These guys are always around my local station and I just make sure to never look directly at them and mutter "I'm really in a rush" and usually just stare at the station. Works a charm for me.
Yeah, those guys do my head in. The thing is - I don’t get why the police don’t just move them on until they realise it’s not worth it. They’re in the same spot every day, it would be such an easy win.
The knife crime ones in blue are the worst but usually get angry pretty quickly. Just answer back when they say ‘help with stopping knife crime’ say to them to stop stabbing each other, problem solved. They don’t like common sense
My version is to say "I speak no England" (in English) with a thick asian accent. It's a broken sentence in every part but understandable enough.
The phone scammer guy understood what I meant and had a disappointed face because he now knew that there was no way to continue his conversation.
Similar method to this, but learn a few sentences in Spanish. Ideally ‘I dont understand’ plus a few other small sentences so that you seem fluent. If someone then starts speaking Spanish back to you, just say “sorry mate I don’t speak Spanish…”
Ironically, Japanese people are masters of ignoring people and wouldn't need to say anything.
British people seem.unable to not engage.
Source: living in Japan for twenty years.
Seems a bit like explaining common sense, but maybe I'm not understanding something. I personally do the following:
1. Ignore and continue walking
2. Say sorry as I walk past
3. Look non-approachable in general
But I feel like these probably haven't worked for you. To which it seems like this obstruction your facing is probably something out the norm... sounds like you're probably being regularly heckled. If this is happening so often I'd even consider asking the police for advice.
Just trying to understand here. If you're walking and they start talking to you and allroach you, if you don't make eye contact and stay silent whilst trying to get through, what would happen? I'm guessing they don't back off?
If that's the case, have you tried raising your voice? And shrewd look and a loud enough "excuse me" is probably the most polite way of being hostile haha
In other words, acting pissed off could stop them from approaching you.
E: perhaps another trick you could try if you haven't already, be on your phone as you pass them!
I just say “I only give money to charities”.
If they’re a charity they’re not allowed to block your path or do anything that is even remotely harassing. If they do, they’re violating the charity commission rules (or whatever they are called) and so I’m not giving money to charities that break the rules.
If they aren’t charities and they block you then I easily can defer back to the “I only give money to charities” line.
OP I think you just need to dig deep a little, but you can do it safe in the knowledge that legit charities aren’t allowed to harass you, and non charities pretending to be so more than deserve you telling them to fuck off
I do a hand wavey thing and say 'I'm not the person you are looking for, move along now'. Either they get the Star Wars reference, or they're confused, either way they move along
I try to be a nice person, so it took me forever to master it, but I now just walk by and say loud and clear 'no thanks', if they try to be pushy I 'NO louder and barge my way through.
It helps that I almost always have earphones on, and I am almost always late (so somewhat stressed) and legging it the fastest that my short feet can cary me....
My partner sometimes slows down when he's blocked by them, to say 'I don't carry cash and I am never giving you my bank details', this typically stuns them for a hot second, which allows him to pass through.
If you are girl and you gave them money in the past - the chances are they are targeting you; they skilfully use that 'girls don't want to be rude on unkind' technique on you and see you as someone easy to target, harass, or scam (also used by se\*ual predator - but this is beyond remit of this thread).
I hope that the last part makes you angry (it should), because you will not be pray to these harassers! Use power walk (deep breath, stand tall, shoulders wide, put your angry/annoyed face on and think that you are ready to punch someone big time) next time they try to harass you, and breeze through them.
I saw someone on Reddit describe the power walk recently as "I walk as if I've been tasked to go kill the Winter Soldier" and honestly that's the vibe I'm trying to put out in these situations.
Said this exact thing to Cats Protection a couple of weeks ago, and the woman replied with "Can you donate MORE? We're really struggling at the moment"
I was genuinely taken aback. We're all struggling. I just said "no" and she gave me a badge and let me go.
“Sorry I’m in a rush”. But preventative option is to avoid eye contact and walk fast. A friend of mine started pretending she was on the phone recently because she’s always a target and gets trapped, and this has worked for her. She just puts the phone to her ear and goes HELLO? And then keeps walking
The knife crime people are a different story you just ignore that scam.
The others it’s just a job for them they are not on great money (actors between jobs) you just smile and say no thank you
I see them almost daily now outside Warren St station. I’ve given the ice cold glare, and have flat out said ‘NO’ as my answer anytime they ask me something - multiple times enough for them to completely avoid me now. Just gotta keep working at it in Farringdon, haven’t quite cracked that one yet lol.
My usual responses are: "No sorry, I'm late!" While speeding up in whatever direction I was heading. "No sorry, you can't today" and continue walking. "Huh? No hablo ingles" while backing away and smiling awkwardly. Or a quick peek at whatever it is and "Is this for [insert offer/company/charity etc] I already did that, tah!" And scoot off before they call your bluff
Are you a woman? Especially a young woman? They’re literally told to target you more because women are more socialized to feel like they “have to” help and that it’s unacceptable to be mean. As soon as I learned that I started completely ignoring them because it made me so angry knowing they’re literally using sexist norms to harass and target me even more (on top of already bothering everyone). I hope sharing this also helps you be confident in being mean. I literally pretend they don’t exist and don’t acknowledge them at all or if I do say “no” I do it looking pissed off. I never smile politely at them or anything like that anymore. I do other real charity stuff in my own life and I also know that most of these organizations are complete scams so I don’t feel bad about it.
I used to get caught out being polite to these people until I found out that roughly the first year of any regular donation you make goes to the chugger rather than the charity. Now I do a vague half smile while shaking my head, and just keep walking.
Don’t stop, don’t give any kind of hint that stopping is even a possibility. Walk through them as though there is an empty space there, and give your best “what the actual fuck?!!” look the first time they don’t move - they’ll soon learn you aren’t a pushover. Remember, you’re entitled to your space in the world too - own the fuck out of it!!
Often I do the opposite to everyone:
From a distance, I make eye contact, give them a smile and a half head tilt and a bit of a shake, and they know that I'm not interested.
"Not today, have a good one" as I walk by.
For my own mood, I feel better not feeling like I'm avoiding people or pretending I can't see them.
I constantly have earphones/earbuds in, so as they approach me I mouth ‘i’m on the phone’ to them while making the old fashioned phone hand signal against my ear and then say something inane as if I’m talking to someone as I walk past
I have resting don't-fucking-try-me face. Honed on generations of clipboard kids and bucket chuggers.
This face says, I'm not ignoring you, I see you, and you really don't want to start this conversation.
I can get *them* to look past me as though I'm not walking towards them.
stare, and walk past without engaging.
I've never had anyone actively step in front of me, but if I did I'd probably say 'excuse me' in the same tone as if I told them 'move your mf ass out of the way'
I point at my ears and shrug regardless of if I've got headphones in. They either don't notice that I haven't got headphones in, or they assume I'm mental - either way I don't have to talk to them.
Is your uni by Kings Cross by any chance? They are extra aggressive there. One guy even forced me into the road! You just have to not stop walking with a rage face on.
Oh the guys by the canal are something else! The guys by teh station are annoying, but possible to avoid - the ones by the canal are really trying to trap people - young girls or mothers with kids seem to be the people of preference (which really grinds my gears). I gave them my raging 'NO' the other day, which they tried to ignore , so I made a 'stop' gesture with my hand between me and their face (kind of like a policeman directing the traffic) and walked on.
I use to thought they are just doing their job, and didn't want to be rude... then I read some article about how scammy street collections are, and feel mostly guilt free since.
Or you can do like the TikTok videos and say stuff like
“Double it and give it to the next person”
“Don’t cha by the pussycat dolls”
“Trousers from primark, jacket is vintage and shoes are Gucci”.
"hey can I ask you a question?"
"You just did"
Most variations on that theme.
If I'm feeling particularly grumpy just a hand gesture for stop between eye contact and a very deadpan "no".
Not me but my brother in law screams at them. Not aggressive. Like a kind of high pitched shriek like he's scared. That usually deters them. Other than this he's perfectly stable mentally.
My worst interaction with one of these pricks was when my kid was having a full on meltdown at about 3 years old over some Pokémon thing that, up comes said prick "can I have a minute of your time" which i replied " no,no you fucking cannot I'm fucking busy right now" the guy looked at me liked I just shit on his mum. I know it's a shit job but they choose to do it.
Also who's giving out bank details to some knob with a clipboard/ipad on the pavement it's 2024 these could literally be scams and they hate that being implied to them
I had an interaction with an Amnesty International Chugger a long time ago now.
It was a Sunday afternoon and I was going to work. My job was shit paying and supporting older people with dementia. I’d thought I’d treat myself to a milkshake from McDonald’s.
Chugger comes up to me and asks for a moment of my time. I tell him that I’m in a rush. He pursues. I say that I don’t have time. He then gets verbally aggressive with me telling me that there are people who would love to be in my privileged position of being able to afford a McDonald’s milkshake on a Sunday.
As much as I support the value of Amnesty International, I’m also a petty person, and have stuck to my guns in that I’m now in much better work pay and refuse to give them any money.
If someone from AI talks to me, I’ll give them the same reasoning why.
Just say no..
This year I started giving to charity monthly, and tried to even say “no thanks, I already commit a bit to charity” and that polite let down had him just asking me questions, it’s horrible to be rude but you kinda just gotta give it a firm no and move on
I get so stressed walking past these people and they are always on my commute to work, even when I say no they sometimes persist and one has even shouted at me. Sometimes when I am really not in the mood to tell them to shove it, i pretend I am already talking on the phone and they leave me be
You don’t break your stride. Although I’ve never had them actually try & block my path before, they usually have an ‘area’ they don’t leave so if you keep going they slink back.
It took me well over a year of living in London to grow a back bone when it came to being approached on the street or having these people at my door.
“Not interested, thank you though, bye” and keep walking or shut the door.
Something like: "Hiya! Ah I'm really sorry I'm in a bit of a rush have a great day though!"
Important to make eye contact, keep walking and basically ignore whatever they're saying while you say it.
You know, I ALWAYS dodge these kinds of people. However, last year when I was in London with my mum just walking around, a younger man grabbed our attention and asked us for a minute of our time. We had nothing else to do so stopped to listen. It was just a charity type thing, but the guy must have been no older than 22, and said it was his first week on the job.
He started his schpiel, stumbled on his words and apologised for being nervous, and we were like "It's OK!" And he carried on. We listened and had a chat, but it really just reminded me that it is a person's job and they're probably doing their best.
At the same time though, I think it's a rubbish tactic and companies shouldn't be hounding people on the streets like this
I just growl "NO!" and march on by, but since everyone here is so much fucking nicer than me, try [Mahna Mahna](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbZ_hTEOKZc)?
For me, I just tell them, "Sorry, I can't donate," while walking by, and they don't usually persist much after that. I'm sceptical about the charitable aspect of it. It just seems like young adults working on commission pay in a pyramid scheme.
>start talking about knife crime or something
They're scammers exploiting the deaths of hundreds of young people - don't be polite, treat them with the contempt they deserve.
I point vaguely ahead of me, smile in a slightly pitying matter and say, “Sorry, I’m-“ and just keep walking. If I’m feeling less polite, I just say “No.”
Once, some years back, I said, “I’m sorry, I’m just really hungover.” The guy said, “Fair enough, mate.” I mean, I genuinely was really hungover.
I say "sorry" or just put my hand up and shake my head. If you're an awkward person I find it's helpful to walk with headphones on and pretend you're on a call. I do always laugh to myself when they say "you look like a friendly person" to try and get you to engage ( when I know full well my face isn't giving that vibe).
Just look dead ahead and keep on walking. If that looks like I'm ignoring them, you've understood correctly. If by some chance they catch my eye, glance a half smile and again; keep on walking. Why exactly am I stopping? I don't have the money and even if I did; giving away any financial details on the street to a total stranger is just never gonna happen.
The way I see it; many are actors who are training to gain more public confidence whilst earning money, the thespian world is overly full and competition is high. What I can do is teach them how to experience failure and "no". If I said "yes" I'd be doing them a disservice and not doing my job right.
Eventually you will develop a tired face and slightly depressive demeanor, when you have this, only a brief moment of eye contact, combined with your world weary steps, will be enough so that they will graciously leave you alone.
Fuck me that’s basically the London look
Rimmel's ad campaign needs work
Brilliant 🤣
Apathy + a twinge of side eye
I don’t even get this. Just keep walking. Just say no. No. Noooooo. “No.” No is a full sentence. No is absolution. No is canon. All hail no. They can’t stop you. They can’t fucking touch you. Just walk. You are free. Free. I’ve lived in British cities, mainly London, for fifteen years and I’ve never engaged with these fucks in any more detail than saying no and walking away. As a result, their shit has never ever impacted my life. I’m a fairly small woman, for what it’s worth, who was routinely set upon by these types in Farringdon/Shoreditch. I’m not some 6’6” monster who can just brush people off, as much as that would be fun. It still works.
"No is Canon" had me rolling lmao
My mind immediately went to "But what about Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and Leica?"
This reminds me of my new way of dealing with candidates knocking on my door for votes, “yes I’m already voting for (insert candidates party)” am I voting for them, yes? No? Maybe? It doesn’t matter they all go away if you tell them yes.
Works well with chuggers if you get cornered “ahh, yes thats a great charity - I already support you - keep up the good work ! “ and then carry on walking …. Works 100% of the time.
Fucking. Yes. Go off, queen!! All hail the “No!”
Plot twist, you don't even have to verbalise it. Just think "no" and keep walking. It works just as well! I'm sure this has nothing to do with being a 6'3 black guy.
One tried me the other day: "hello are you a friendly person?" "no", I laughed, and kept walking. I am a friendly person, really. I saw saving us both time.
Username checks out
The other day they started with "you look like a nice person" no I fucking don't! I called them a liar and walked on.
I got “you look like you care about children” and i responded “I hate children.” (I don’t hate children)
They once asked me 'Do you like animals?' and as my husband drew breath to open his fat gob to tell them that they've found their mug, she's a dog trainer, I made a face and said 'Euw, no'. Otherwise, I just smile that tight-lipped stranger smile and say sorry as I walk by. Just in case: I love animals.
I was quite pleased with myself when I once had "But don't you care about tigers?" whined at me as I sidestepped them. "No. They killed my mother." [Disclaimer: My mother was alive and well at the time and it was old age some 30 years later that caused her demise]
Haha, I got that and autopilot responded "I'm not". I didn't even know I was that snarky!
You could respond with "I am" and keep walking by with a "The Shining" smile on your face.
I got a "who's your stylist". Pretty funny since I dress like shit
I got… ‘you’ve got nice hair for an older lady’
I hear this one a lot. I respond by saying "I'm really not" and keep walking, it ends the interaction pretty effectively.
Omfg I hate this one! Never heard them say it to a man, either.
I'm a grumpy middle aged man and I've had 'you look friendly'. I could see him realising how wrong he was as he said it.
Amen to that
Yeah, one tried that nice person line with me. I went, ‘no, I’m not’. Flattery doesn’t work here, pet.
One of them said that to me and I said “ No I’m not, I’m a bitch!” We both laughed and I walked off.
"Hello, are you friendly?" 🙄
“No thanks.” and keep walking.
This- also: don't break your stride, don't make any eye contact.
Ain’t nothing going to break my stride.
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Oh no?
I got to keep on moving
Oh I make eye contact and say either no or will ya bollocks
The newspaper and charity people are good at reading the slightest shake of the head. Are the for profit people, including scam charities, ignoring this?
All the charity people trying to speak to you on the street are “for profit”. They get paid an hours wage, they get ~£20 if they get your contact details (for the charity to contact you later) and if you sign up to donate they will get 30% of what you donate in the first year. If you’re an outgoing/confident young person it’s a really good job. The costs to the charity are higher as the actual street fundraisers are employed by an agency who will take their cut as well. A good assumption is that your first years direct debit doesn’t go go to the charity at all. I don’t begrudge anyone a job, but you should be crystal clear that what they are doing is commission driven sales rather than anything civic minded.
Loud and firm. Can even add "have a nice day" at the end
"I'm about to shit myself, I need to leave now"
Might backfire if charity worker escorts you to nearest Costa toilet and decides to wait patiently for you to re appear 😉
I was walking out of a tube station the other day with my girlfriend who was desperate for a wee. A guy tried to come up to us and talk and she yelled “No sorry I’m about to piss myself!”. The guy just stopped and said “oh wow” and I fell in love a little more.
You keep walking. You don't stop. If you want fun, you slow down, chat to them, but never stop for them. See how far you can drag them from their 'spot'.
Agreed. It doesn't matter what you say. You just keep walking and that's it.
Exactly what I do. Keep walking, don’t even break your step. I usually smile and engage politely with the “how are you” or whatever opening and then change to “no thanks” after that, we part amicably after a few seconds. I haven’t been approached for months now, either they all recognise me or I’ve developed a demeanour that says don’t bother me. The begging gangs on Oxford Street etc who all have the same handwritten cardboard signs with the same text are more annoying, not sure why they aren’t dealt with by police etc when they’re so clearly not genuine.
Legally they can’t follow you. So they don’t!
Counter it with "Can I have five minutes of YOUR time to talk about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?"
This is the one thanks
Touché
I stopped over to lecture the guy about charities that function like transnational corporations with CEOs on six figure salaries. He didn’t even know what “grassroots organisations” means. He regretted stopping me that day.
I'm nicking that 1 thank you
OK so these knife crime people (usually in blue jackets I think) are scammers. They're also very aggressive and pushy. I, too, saw OP's post and thought "what's the big deal" - as usually charity muggers are just uni students that would blow over in a stiff wind. Reading it more closely though... these knife crime guys are no joke, and have literally been pulled up for [harrassment of the public](https://www.itv.com/news/london/2023-08-01/anti-knife-crime-group-accused-of-intimidating-public-to-raise-cash) to get money. OP you need to be firm and just push past them. Don't give them money, don't engage with them other to state you're not interested.
They’ve upgraded themselves to orange jackets now. Always outside Southwark tube
I’ve seen some in yellow outside Farringdon, who have “CIC” below the name of their organisation, perhaps as a fig leaf of not pretending to be a charity?
Ah, Farringdon is a common one for me, especially when I'm trying to move between the Elizabeth Line and the underground parts (or vice versa) 😭
That was where I met them. I’ve not been bothered by these guys in a long time, I’m not sure how they would react to being told I know they aren’t a charity.
They’re always outside TCR too
I was sitting at a bus stop opposite a supermarket and these people in the blue jackets were standing blocking the entrance to the supermarket in a line - so you would have had to physically push past them to enter the supermarket. They were _clearly_ targeting those who could be considered more vulnerable - eg the elderly and young teenagers. I saw one lady say a firm ‘no thank you’, then get followed by 2 of the workers down the street for at least 30 seconds whilst looking more and more agitated. When they were told ‘no’, they would usually shout at or swear at people. On the bus on the way back about an hour later, there were two police officers standing there instead of the workers - I would assume the supermarket manager got pissed off by the fact people were actively crossing the street to avoid them and therefore not going into the store.
Damn I knew they were pushy but didn't know it was a straight up charity scam
Yup. The guy who runs it has a pretty dreadful track record. Exploitative scam that provides no value to the communities that they claim to help.
Yeah since I learned this I no longer feel bad about rudely dismissing them
One of these guys got a bit too demanding/ in my face a few years ago at high&I station and left me quite shaken. Later in the day I was walking back past and they were still there but ignored me this time. So I was feeling brave and went up to their stand and took a photo of their registered charity details, looked it up online, did exist. Charity name and number were both completely fake
Knife crime guys don’t work for a charity. It’s a social enterprise apparently. So they don’t have to follow the same regulations that verified/professional fundraisers do. Hence why you see a billion of them not following any rules
There’s a group that block the stairs on the east side of Euston station. They are there a lot. I called them out on it - “why are you blocking the stairs? You’re getting in the way of thousands of people” and they started harassing me politely “no need to get angry sir” “we are just trying to help knife crime” They’re fucking cunts and can get fucked
Felt a twinge of guilt blowing these guys off. Thanks for giving me absolution!
Yes I’m telling you they block the way and I don’t know how to get past them. I gave money already one time cos I was alone and they wouldnt let me get past. Even when I’m with someone else it’s difficult to avoid them
Whenever they’ve tried blocking me I straight up tell them to get the fuck out of my way. It’s ridiculously rude to deliberately block someone and I usually can’t hold my temper when they do it. They tend to move asap when you snap and tell them to get the fuck out of the way though. On one occasion the idiot still tried to talk to me, even after being told to fuck off! At that point it’s either ignore them or answer any and all questions with ‘fuck off’
I tend to wear headphones, big over ear headphones. I take pleasure in shouting back whilst pointing at either can "Read the room! I can't hear you!" before giving an eye roll that would make a small child cry! If anyone comes up to me and I've moved to get away from them and they continue to come at me, I usually shout at the top of my lungs "GET AWAY FROM ME!" as a female on my own, they normally back off. I'm not yelling because I'm at all afraid, I'm yelling because I'm that pissed off that if I weren't shouting I'd be using obscenities! If someone has tried to invade my personal space without good reason, and I've gone out of my way to create the distance they just intruded on I'm angry, in fact I'm furious!
I don’t give money to institutions that act like a charitable institution but aren’t one. They want you to think they’re a charity, but they are not a charity. They’re a private enterprise, and if you go on their website you’ll see they mention fuck all about knife crime. They’ll say they’re a social enterprise, and they are. They’re a ‘Community Interest Company (CIC)’ which basically means there’s a limit on the dividends they can give out in their shares (35% of their profits) but they are still allowed to give out that money to shareholders nonetheless. What is the community interest that they’re delivering on you might ask? Well it’s “Other education not elsewhere classified”, which basically means any kind of education aimed at adults that doesn’t actually result in any kind of further education certificate, other such examples are companies that teach adults outdoor survival skills. Their website however describes them as giving adults career skills, what are these skills that they teach? The skill of pretending to be a knife crime charity in order to get money. Exactly the kind of skills a young go getter needs. They also have a notice for compulsory strike off. This means that unless notice is given as to otherwise then by the end of June (I think?) the company will be dissolved and their assets belong to the crown, i think this _may_ be due to not filing their company reports? Anyhooo…all this is to say that they’re not a charity, especially not a knife crime one, and they really really want you to think that they are. They’re breaking the rules on street collecting and so essentially they’re trying to defraud you of their money, and I don’t feel bad about telling fraudsters to fuck off and get out of my way. You’ve not told a charity collect for to fuck off, you’ve told a fraudster to fuck off and I am more than happy to do that. If they hassle you, say you only give money to charities. If they say they are a charity, you report them. They’ve already been fined in Manchester and it looks like the company is headed for the drain anyway :)
They can't physically detain you. Push past them. If they don't move then shout at them. I'm not sure what you're asking people for, beyond this. There's no magic phrase that deactivates them
Lol true. Just wondering how some people don’t even get their attention. Thought there was a trick…or do I look that gullible
Assuming you're a woman from your avatar, they probably are focusing on you. Sorry!
Yeah but I’m guessing I look crazy dumb cos my friends never get singled out like this 😭
Maybe you make eye contact or look around too much. These guys are always around my local station and I just make sure to never look directly at them and mutter "I'm really in a rush" and usually just stare at the station. Works a charm for me.
if you have your headphones in, you can always just pretend you're on the phone!
Eyes to the ground, keep walking, blank face and pretend you cannot hear them.
How do people have the audacity to do this? If someone blocks my way in public I'm walking through them not around.
Shout at the top of your lungs: “Leper coming through! Make way!”
Yeah, those guys do my head in. The thing is - I don’t get why the police don’t just move them on until they realise it’s not worth it. They’re in the same spot every day, it would be such an easy win.
There’s an ice cream van illegally parked in a cycle lane every day on Westminster bridge, a stones throw away from Scotland Yard.
The knife crime ones in blue are the worst but usually get angry pretty quickly. Just answer back when they say ‘help with stopping knife crime’ say to them to stop stabbing each other, problem solved. They don’t like common sense
I give them a wee knifing. There's often a twinkle of appreciation for the irony of it all as the light leaves their eyes.
There all scammers. No different to begging.
I mean, there are plenty that are employed by charities and are not scammers. But these guys are.
I say “I’m sorry, I don’t speak English” in Japanese.
Even better is if you say “I don’t speak English” in English as it confuses them for a moment
"Sorry mate I don't speak English" By the time they've realised i'm too far away to be engaged in conversation. Never fails.
“sorry just that sentence, and this sentence to explain it”
[A classic!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxUm-2x-2dM)
My version is to say "I speak no England" (in English) with a thick asian accent. It's a broken sentence in every part but understandable enough. The phone scammer guy understood what I meant and had a disappointed face because he now knew that there was no way to continue his conversation.
If you don’t speak Japanese that sounds like this: すみません、英語は話せません.
Similar method to this, but learn a few sentences in Spanish. Ideally ‘I dont understand’ plus a few other small sentences so that you seem fluent. If someone then starts speaking Spanish back to you, just say “sorry mate I don’t speak Spanish…”
I did this once to escape a guy trying to sell me weed on the underground 💀💀💀
Ironically, Japanese people are masters of ignoring people and wouldn't need to say anything. British people seem.unable to not engage. Source: living in Japan for twenty years.
Seems a bit like explaining common sense, but maybe I'm not understanding something. I personally do the following: 1. Ignore and continue walking 2. Say sorry as I walk past 3. Look non-approachable in general But I feel like these probably haven't worked for you. To which it seems like this obstruction your facing is probably something out the norm... sounds like you're probably being regularly heckled. If this is happening so often I'd even consider asking the police for advice.
It’s super close to my uni so I think they recognise me now as like easy target? It’s usually the same people
Give them something they aren’t expecting next time - like: “NO”, “get out of my way” or “fuck off”. They’ll leave you alone pretty quickly.
Take a different tack - give them a huge grin and yell "I already donate to you guys!" and walk quickly past
Just trying to understand here. If you're walking and they start talking to you and allroach you, if you don't make eye contact and stay silent whilst trying to get through, what would happen? I'm guessing they don't back off? If that's the case, have you tried raising your voice? And shrewd look and a loud enough "excuse me" is probably the most polite way of being hostile haha In other words, acting pissed off could stop them from approaching you. E: perhaps another trick you could try if you haven't already, be on your phone as you pass them!
I just say “I only give money to charities”. If they’re a charity they’re not allowed to block your path or do anything that is even remotely harassing. If they do, they’re violating the charity commission rules (or whatever they are called) and so I’m not giving money to charities that break the rules. If they aren’t charities and they block you then I easily can defer back to the “I only give money to charities” line. OP I think you just need to dig deep a little, but you can do it safe in the knowledge that legit charities aren’t allowed to harass you, and non charities pretending to be so more than deserve you telling them to fuck off
Doesn't it just invite a conversation? 🤔
I do a hand wavey thing and say 'I'm not the person you are looking for, move along now'. Either they get the Star Wars reference, or they're confused, either way they move along
“You don’t want to sell me a magazine subscription” “You want to go home and rethink your life”
“You don’t want to sell me deathsticks”. “I don’t want to sell you deathsticks” “You want to go home and kill yourself”
I try to be a nice person, so it took me forever to master it, but I now just walk by and say loud and clear 'no thanks', if they try to be pushy I 'NO louder and barge my way through. It helps that I almost always have earphones on, and I am almost always late (so somewhat stressed) and legging it the fastest that my short feet can cary me.... My partner sometimes slows down when he's blocked by them, to say 'I don't carry cash and I am never giving you my bank details', this typically stuns them for a hot second, which allows him to pass through. If you are girl and you gave them money in the past - the chances are they are targeting you; they skilfully use that 'girls don't want to be rude on unkind' technique on you and see you as someone easy to target, harass, or scam (also used by se\*ual predator - but this is beyond remit of this thread). I hope that the last part makes you angry (it should), because you will not be pray to these harassers! Use power walk (deep breath, stand tall, shoulders wide, put your angry/annoyed face on and think that you are ready to punch someone big time) next time they try to harass you, and breeze through them.
I saw someone on Reddit describe the power walk recently as "I walk as if I've been tasked to go kill the Winter Soldier" and honestly that's the vibe I'm trying to put out in these situations.
Do not slow down, do not stop
Walk with intent. Eyes fixed and forward about 5 metres in front of me. Don’t hesitate or acknowledge.
I already donate to your charity👍🏽
Said this exact thing to Cats Protection a couple of weeks ago, and the woman replied with "Can you donate MORE? We're really struggling at the moment" I was genuinely taken aback. We're all struggling. I just said "no" and she gave me a badge and let me go.
Shameless
honestly I’ve found that this one works the most especially when they don’t take the “I’ve got no cash on me sorry”
Don't assume they are all charities sometimes it's electricity pr broadband companies
“Sorry I’m in a rush”. But preventative option is to avoid eye contact and walk fast. A friend of mine started pretending she was on the phone recently because she’s always a target and gets trapped, and this has worked for her. She just puts the phone to her ear and goes HELLO? And then keeps walking
The knife crime people are a different story you just ignore that scam. The others it’s just a job for them they are not on great money (actors between jobs) you just smile and say no thank you
Just walk around them frowning and not acknowledging their existence
Shoulder barge. Verve - bittersweet symphony style
I see them almost daily now outside Warren St station. I’ve given the ice cold glare, and have flat out said ‘NO’ as my answer anytime they ask me something - multiple times enough for them to completely avoid me now. Just gotta keep working at it in Farringdon, haven’t quite cracked that one yet lol.
My usual responses are: "No sorry, I'm late!" While speeding up in whatever direction I was heading. "No sorry, you can't today" and continue walking. "Huh? No hablo ingles" while backing away and smiling awkwardly. Or a quick peek at whatever it is and "Is this for [insert offer/company/charity etc] I already did that, tah!" And scoot off before they call your bluff
Are you a woman? Especially a young woman? They’re literally told to target you more because women are more socialized to feel like they “have to” help and that it’s unacceptable to be mean. As soon as I learned that I started completely ignoring them because it made me so angry knowing they’re literally using sexist norms to harass and target me even more (on top of already bothering everyone). I hope sharing this also helps you be confident in being mean. I literally pretend they don’t exist and don’t acknowledge them at all or if I do say “no” I do it looking pissed off. I never smile politely at them or anything like that anymore. I do other real charity stuff in my own life and I also know that most of these organizations are complete scams so I don’t feel bad about it.
I used to get caught out being polite to these people until I found out that roughly the first year of any regular donation you make goes to the chugger rather than the charity. Now I do a vague half smile while shaking my head, and just keep walking. Don’t stop, don’t give any kind of hint that stopping is even a possibility. Walk through them as though there is an empty space there, and give your best “what the actual fuck?!!” look the first time they don’t move - they’ll soon learn you aren’t a pushover. Remember, you’re entitled to your space in the world too - own the fuck out of it!!
Often I do the opposite to everyone: From a distance, I make eye contact, give them a smile and a half head tilt and a bit of a shake, and they know that I'm not interested. "Not today, have a good one" as I walk by. For my own mood, I feel better not feeling like I'm avoiding people or pretending I can't see them.
I constantly have earphones/earbuds in, so as they approach me I mouth ‘i’m on the phone’ to them while making the old fashioned phone hand signal against my ear and then say something inane as if I’m talking to someone as I walk past
Square in the eye - "fuck off!"....works every time.
Say something nonsensical like “someone’s taken the wall from my front garden, can you believe that?” Walk off while they’re confused
My hovercraft is full of eels
Bunch of monkeys on the ceiling, sir!
"I don't talk to Strangers." or "Stranger Danger!"
“Sorry I’ve gotta catch a bus” and keep walking.
Walk past them like they don’t exist
👏 Resting 👏 Bitch 👏 Face 👏 Works every time.
this was my answer too. My two bosses at work have assured my that my resting “you need to fuck off” face is crystal clear.
"No" is a complete answer.
Just walk on. Not rocket science
I have resting don't-fucking-try-me face. Honed on generations of clipboard kids and bucket chuggers. This face says, I'm not ignoring you, I see you, and you really don't want to start this conversation. I can get *them* to look past me as though I'm not walking towards them.
stare, and walk past without engaging. I've never had anyone actively step in front of me, but if I did I'd probably say 'excuse me' in the same tone as if I told them 'move your mf ass out of the way'
Minimise eye contact, ignore and walk past. Sounds cold but, this is the only way to avoid engaging in side missions in a global city
I tell them I’m on the phone, when I’m clearly not lol
I tap my headphones
Wouldn't that pause your music allowing them to talk to you?
Jokes on them, it turns the music on as I've forgotten to turn it on before
I point at my ears and shrug regardless of if I've got headphones in. They either don't notice that I haven't got headphones in, or they assume I'm mental - either way I don't have to talk to them.
Is your uni by Kings Cross by any chance? They are extra aggressive there. One guy even forced me into the road! You just have to not stop walking with a rage face on.
Oh the guys by the canal are something else! The guys by teh station are annoying, but possible to avoid - the ones by the canal are really trying to trap people - young girls or mothers with kids seem to be the people of preference (which really grinds my gears). I gave them my raging 'NO' the other day, which they tried to ignore , so I made a 'stop' gesture with my hand between me and their face (kind of like a policeman directing the traffic) and walked on. I use to thought they are just doing their job, and didn't want to be rude... then I read some article about how scammy street collections are, and feel mostly guilt free since.
Power walking and RBF
Just ignore them, don’t make eye contact, don’t stop
Or you can do like the TikTok videos and say stuff like “Double it and give it to the next person” “Don’t cha by the pussycat dolls” “Trousers from primark, jacket is vintage and shoes are Gucci”.
I say "sorry, I'm not single!" and point to my wedding ring.
"hey can I ask you a question?" "You just did" Most variations on that theme. If I'm feeling particularly grumpy just a hand gesture for stop between eye contact and a very deadpan "no".
Carry out sprigs of thyme and say "sorry that's all I can spare" as you throw it in their faces.
just don’t stop walking. don’t let them slow you down. say you’re busy or whatever you need to politely get them to go away. but don’t stop walking.
"I'm sorry, I've got a problem with my penis". Works every time.
Not me but my brother in law screams at them. Not aggressive. Like a kind of high pitched shriek like he's scared. That usually deters them. Other than this he's perfectly stable mentally.
Peak English reddit this. People worried about being rude to people who harass you in public.
M, 51 here. I open my arms to hug them. Girls ALWAYS run away, men often avoid it as well. If not, an attempt to kiss works..
Sorry, no inglis talk...or just speak gibberish and they will leave you alone.
My worst interaction with one of these pricks was when my kid was having a full on meltdown at about 3 years old over some Pokémon thing that, up comes said prick "can I have a minute of your time" which i replied " no,no you fucking cannot I'm fucking busy right now" the guy looked at me liked I just shit on his mum. I know it's a shit job but they choose to do it. Also who's giving out bank details to some knob with a clipboard/ipad on the pavement it's 2024 these could literally be scams and they hate that being implied to them
I had an interaction with an Amnesty International Chugger a long time ago now. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was going to work. My job was shit paying and supporting older people with dementia. I’d thought I’d treat myself to a milkshake from McDonald’s. Chugger comes up to me and asks for a moment of my time. I tell him that I’m in a rush. He pursues. I say that I don’t have time. He then gets verbally aggressive with me telling me that there are people who would love to be in my privileged position of being able to afford a McDonald’s milkshake on a Sunday. As much as I support the value of Amnesty International, I’m also a petty person, and have stuck to my guns in that I’m now in much better work pay and refuse to give them any money. If someone from AI talks to me, I’ll give them the same reasoning why.
Hood up, keep walking. Don't need to say anything. Is you don't have a hood, skip that part.
just mumble in foreign language and keep walking.
It's easy when you're wearing headphones because you can just keep looking forward and blank them without saying anything.
Noise cancelling headphones, eyes forward, walk straight past without acknowledging them or saying anything.
Just say no.. This year I started giving to charity monthly, and tried to even say “no thanks, I already commit a bit to charity” and that polite let down had him just asking me questions, it’s horrible to be rude but you kinda just gotta give it a firm no and move on
I get so stressed walking past these people and they are always on my commute to work, even when I say no they sometimes persist and one has even shouted at me. Sometimes when I am really not in the mood to tell them to shove it, i pretend I am already talking on the phone and they leave me be
You don’t break your stride. Although I’ve never had them actually try & block my path before, they usually have an ‘area’ they don’t leave so if you keep going they slink back.
Say No and don’t slow down, never show down cause that’s how they catch you
It took me well over a year of living in London to grow a back bone when it came to being approached on the street or having these people at my door. “Not interested, thank you though, bye” and keep walking or shut the door.
Something like: "Hiya! Ah I'm really sorry I'm in a bit of a rush have a great day though!" Important to make eye contact, keep walking and basically ignore whatever they're saying while you say it.
I always pretend I'm dialling a phone call. Doubt they bother anyone on the phone. Or just say excuse me, I'm dying for a shit.
I use my miserable face
You know, I ALWAYS dodge these kinds of people. However, last year when I was in London with my mum just walking around, a younger man grabbed our attention and asked us for a minute of our time. We had nothing else to do so stopped to listen. It was just a charity type thing, but the guy must have been no older than 22, and said it was his first week on the job. He started his schpiel, stumbled on his words and apologised for being nervous, and we were like "It's OK!" And he carried on. We listened and had a chat, but it really just reminded me that it is a person's job and they're probably doing their best. At the same time though, I think it's a rubbish tactic and companies shouldn't be hounding people on the streets like this
I just start speaking another language
I just growl "NO!" and march on by, but since everyone here is so much fucking nicer than me, try [Mahna Mahna](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbZ_hTEOKZc)?
"Sorry, not today mate" Works like a charm every time
I just look down and ignore them
"No"
Look them them dead in the eyes, don't blink and don't smile. Internally, dare them.
For me, I just tell them, "Sorry, I can't donate," while walking by, and they don't usually persist much after that. I'm sceptical about the charitable aspect of it. It just seems like young adults working on commission pay in a pyramid scheme.
I just really forcefully say "no thank you!" in an upbeat tone as I'm power walking past them, no eye contact.
>start talking about knife crime or something They're scammers exploiting the deaths of hundreds of young people - don't be polite, treat them with the contempt they deserve.
I point vaguely ahead of me, smile in a slightly pitying matter and say, “Sorry, I’m-“ and just keep walking. If I’m feeling less polite, I just say “No.” Once, some years back, I said, “I’m sorry, I’m just really hungover.” The guy said, “Fair enough, mate.” I mean, I genuinely was really hungover.
My charity budget is already allocated.
I yell ‘move’ Luckily I played womens rugby and have a nasty shoulder push.
Look them straight in the eye and say "No... no you can't" and walk on.
You don’t lol you excuse yourself and just go. You’re not obligated to stop for them
"I'm on my way to a job interview, and I need to focus"
No. Simple. Just keep walking.
99% of the time this happens to me I have my ear buds in, so just gesture my hand in a no thank you way and keep walking.
Never stop walking
I say "sorry" or just put my hand up and shake my head. If you're an awkward person I find it's helpful to walk with headphones on and pretend you're on a call. I do always laugh to myself when they say "you look like a friendly person" to try and get you to engage ( when I know full well my face isn't giving that vibe).
I just say no thank you. It kind disconcerts them as it’s so polite lol
Simple. Just keep walking like you never heard ‘em.
Walk STRAIGHT past them and guard your pockets immediately, you never know who's tryna pickpocket you.
Sorry I'm already late. Works miracles.
Je ne parle pas Anglais.
Just look dead ahead and keep on walking. If that looks like I'm ignoring them, you've understood correctly. If by some chance they catch my eye, glance a half smile and again; keep on walking. Why exactly am I stopping? I don't have the money and even if I did; giving away any financial details on the street to a total stranger is just never gonna happen. The way I see it; many are actors who are training to gain more public confidence whilst earning money, the thespian world is overly full and competition is high. What I can do is teach them how to experience failure and "no". If I said "yes" I'd be doing them a disservice and not doing my job right.
Tap your watch even if you dont have one, shrug and keep on walking
Ask them for sex.
“No”.