in the name of …
I was inside this food court whacking a bowl of noodles, when someone approaches me. I looked up and saw a middle aged bloke with a serious look on his face. He had a few packages of things with him. We stared at each other for what must be like, a few seconds or so … before the dude finally uttered a bunch of craps that I can’t understand for no shit. (alright, he was speaking real fast and I have problems hearing him in that boisterous environment…)
But from the booklet he was holding and the way he gesticulated, I managed to make up that he’s actually trying to sell me something. I’ve no idea what he’s trying to sell. But whatever that is, I’m not interested. At that particular time and place, I’m only interested in my bowl of noodles. Well… that’s why I’m there in the first place … I’m hungry.
So I showed him some response, I shook my head. He kept pressing in, you know, firing it in a faster tempo. I told him “No thanks”… and he finally said it “But it’s for charity …”… in Hokkien. I was like - “What the fuck ??”. [Of course I didn't say that to him].
Alright, let’s just stop here. I’m sure many of you people have encountered such situations before. It’s very common in Asia. You know, some skinny looking piece of prepubescent college waste going around selling some inferior key chains in the name of charity. And when you refused them, they’re gonna fucking give you that look as if you’ve impaled a kitten… and then would slap that magic remark to further assure that you’re a terrible person. “But it’s for charity…”
Yeah right. It’s for charity. So what ? Why can’t they just sell everything and donate the profit to charity WITHOUT LETTING US KNOW IT ?? What if I’m not interested in buying those odd looking mothball key chains ? What if I’m allergic to key chains ? Does that make me a fucking terrible person for declining myself from buying something I don’t like/need ? If I wanted to contribute to charity, I would have walked into a center somewhere … and FUCKING DONATED SOME MONEY (or something). Why would I have to buy something because it’s supposed to be “GOOD” and being made by some crippled individuals ?? Isn’t that swindling in the name of charity ??
And that remark, FUCK… is what that peeved me most. It somehow, never fail to make me feel bad about myself. I used to give out bills to these people and ask them to keep their key chains (or whatever things they’re selling)… just to buy that peace of mind.
But for today, I just waved that man off. And another 2 other youngsters as well. [Hell... they're everywhere !!]
So… people, what’s your take on this ? Is this really an ethical thing… you know… conducting trades in the name of charity ? Or conducting charity in the name of trade… or whatever act ?
I may buy the keychain if those selling them are handicapped themselves.
I will give if they are in RC/SJ/scout uniforms selling flag/car sticker and will give more if they are cute high school girls (with lovely smile).
But I will not give to buggers when I am in hurry or when I am doing stuff. No means no and go play far far. I trust people in uniform better, they look more reliable, at least.
I think i have read an article in a newspaper that mentioned that only about 10 % of the money you purchased goes to charity….
If i want to donate my hard earned money i would rather go the charity itself to donate… at least i know that 100% of my sweat and blood goes to help those poor souls in need!!!
Yeah, if you donate money to a charity organization, you should ask them what percentage of funds they spend on admin and publicity. A lot of them are quite inefficient. A lot of the international/Western ones have to disclose their financial stuff on their websites, so you can see which ones actually use most of their funding for the work.
i guess.. those “sell in the name of charity” are quite selective also.. they only approach those “potential” fish. heeheheh so u should feel honoured right
From some source that I knew, the disable people got only like less than 10% out of the sales.
Just like the tsunami sms donation which cost you a buck for one sms but then the victims only get like what 5% out of it.
These people will go to Hell, and get butt-raped by Satan.
I hv stopped buying such ‘goods’ for a long, long time. So sue me. My company has a team of do-gooders who goes around collecting funds for orphanages, handicapped, etc… If I need to ‘donate’ anymore, I’ll be the one needing donation.
Arggh!!! I was just chatting with my friend about charity people but you’ve blogged it, so I aint gonna do so. BTW, add in those fake monks. I once saw one who was dressed in jeans and tshirt after that and got in a van. Screw them, they are abusing religion to get money.
Point 1: I’m suspicious that the ‘charity’ thing is a smokescreen and there’s really no charity at all behind the transaction.
Point 2: ‘BUT IT’S FOR CHARITY!’ as a form of blackmail is disappointingly good. At least Mike’s got the guts to wave him off. I’ve seen a number of people cave in after this ‘punchline’ gets delivered.
What gives?
Hate it when they approached you when you are late for a date.
Hate it even more when they approaced you when you are eating.
I bet the charity only received like 2 to 5% of the profit. (This had been highlighted in NST, they say 10%. I like to exaggerate). It is not really right, yet they need the money.
They should find a better outlet to ask for charity rather than ask us to buy a stupid key chain/cardboard fan/herbal pills with questionable effects.
But michael, if these peoples would not approach you, would you stilll donate huh? Hehe..
it was started as something good…
then people take advantage on it…
and now every single people who is trying to sell us things are using “charity” to con us…
sometime i just dont know whether to buy from them or to “shoo” them away….
sigh….
ever read abt the “charity bookmark” tht we pay RM1 for it…only RM0.20 go to the charity…
the rest..to the company, the “salesman” and the prinitng….
Me, no, I used to be nice and buy from them, but the older i am the smarter and cruel i am. I would donate straight to the END user and not DEALERs or DISTRIBUTORs hands. Reasons, does anyone know how the Tsunami fund been use? 8 months don’t have any reports about it. Maybe they did, advertised in the RM60 column space
So I alwyas tell people, no donation to agents, begger, women with a little baby or kids, handicap man who show wounds on his leg, uncle auntie who claim they are from what temple, Indian girl or man who stand in front of 4D shops (I hate that, real sucks), and etc. I donate only when is proven they really need it, and always do that at the END User 
There is no need to get upset over these lads.
As u have mentioned, there are many channels outthere to show one’s willingness to contribute to the less privileged.
Ethical or not. It’s kinda tricky to even think about that.
The reality is, our society has been encouraging the WIN WIN” concept albeit the fact that I am not a big fan of “WIN WIN”.
Doing business but not forgetting the less fortunate. Well… this has been observed by our forefathers eon back. I am not sure whether u are familiar with this old Chinese saying “Gain from society, reciprocate to society”. It seemed to be a commendable spirit. A WIN WIN mindset.
However, unavoidably, there are bound to have some bad sheep among us that twisted this idea. Hopping onto this charity bandwagon, all out to pull a fast one on kind souls like us, gaining convenient cash, is their mission of the day.
I believe we cannot lose faith in charity as I think we need charity to keep the entire society sane and going. So never engage in the “One-Bamboo concept”. (One-bamboo-hit-the-entire-boat-of-people).
Personally, I donate directly to the organisation that I am comfortable with (ensure most of my money goes directly to the beneficiaries).
Perhaps, we may consider engaging in some volunteering work. It is more direct in showing ya compassion towards the less privileged.
i hate them salesman/woman/girl/boy. i never buy anything from they, no matter how bad they made me feel.
You guys made a very good point. Why would an able bodied, healthy, young individual work for free, selling items for charity? Why would he/she forego any sort of pay, just so that some charity could get the donation you made? Think about it la…
What I’m saying is, if you want to donate, go to the charity home and give your money. Or better yet, go find some poor person and give him/her the money/stuff. Don’t bother with these middle men. they will DEFINITELY take a cut from the amount donated. And thus, why should you give some muthafucker free money?!
Then again, speaking of donating, here’s a tragic story; tragic cos I wasted my money. There was this little Indian boy in Pj somewhere who was bugging me to buy kacang from him. I told him no, but he kept begging, saying he hadn’t eaten in 3 days. So I took him to a nearby shop and bought him food for RM6. Later I went to get my car. As I was driving off, I saw the little fucker in an alley. HE THREW THE FOOD PACKET ONTO THE GROUND LA!!! All of it! He just threw it! Bloody hell!!!
(Mike, I know I’m soliciting here so if you wanna remove this part its fine.) Check out http://jayezus.blogspot.com and read the post on “colourful bangsar characters.” Its a definitive guide to beggars/weirdos/blind people in Bangsar.
I actually hate these type of people using the name of “charity” for getting money for god-know-what-the-money-really-for.
I don’t have to do charity in this way. I have my own way.
In fact, I don’t know since when this has been a trend. all I know, I get really irritated in those food court when I just wanna to enjoy my bowl of yummy.
well…not sure about you guys, but i never hear which “organisation” gets the money..[i'm referring to the keychains, caps, pens, condoms..that they sell in the name of charity]
Like most of you, i get pissed off whenever they walk up to you while you’re busy enjoying your food or a nice chat with a nice girl…dammit!
i didnt mind when this blind dude came and sold me some bookmarks and calenders or even tissue papers, that i’m ok. but some young punks walks up to me and tell me crap about donation, and he even brought his younger brother…, finally couldnt keep my mouth shut and asked, is this your job? and what do you do? obviously he said no, just on a part time basis, while he’s still job hunting…. please tell me…what’s wrong here?
i dun buy stuff from these ppl at all cos it’s all bullshit.
Hahaha, it’s bad enough that they interrupt you during your meal. What pisses me off even more is when they come knocking at my door! These bunch of people often come with certificates and all that crap and ask that we donate AND THEY’RE NOT EVEN SELLING ANYTHING.
During meals however, I haven’t encountered ‘charity workers’ who pressure me. Yet. So far after a quick headshake and a little smile, they’re smart enough to get the message.
I think what would be cool is to stuff your mouth, and keep stuffing so you won’t have to say a word. Just keep your mouth full and shut, look pissed, and wave your chopsticks at em.
souplad - I know what you mean. But then, they could have focussed on their business, and drain some of the profit to the charity… that would have the same effect right ? But no. Nowadays, people abused the concept. They tell you in advance… it’s for charity…. so that you’ll buy those things not because you want/need it. But because you think it’s for a good cause. That’s not right.
And just now over lunch, there’s another schoolgirl came mumbling in some Mandarin shits…showing us newspaper cutting of some unfortunate geriatric with a kid… (something like that)… promoting some fluffy looking soft toy. My colleague waved her off without a second thought.
People, how would you like your kid to be waved off like that ? All those education for this ? Ironically, they’re the one who chose to be drones for those really fucked up organization.
This is so pathetic.
right. If you hang in Bangsar (KL) very often you would see this lady (i wont say what race) that usually comes up to you with a news paper cutting about her kid (apparently) who is ill. She has been at it for years liao and is still doing this. True or not, I dont know but it is irritating. Spoil only the atmosphere.
Imagin you are sitting having a jug of beer or two, as you usually do, and then this lady pops up, shoves the news paper in front of your already drunk face and says “bla bla bla bla bla bla” (you wont know what she is saying cos the music is too loud and you are drunk). You try to ignore her, but she stays there making a scene. Then you look at her and say “NO”. But she still stays there.
Then you notice that everyone in the pub/bar is looking at you. Then you feel weird and awkward. Then you point at some other table and say “Pegi sana”. Then you snicker.
Mark my words. Trust no one. There are too many scams out there. Label me heartless, cold-blooded or stingy, when it comes to donation-drives like this, even by Makna or Kidney Society (there was a news in The Star that the patients got only 10% of the donations) or whatever, just stay your way hell out of it. You do not know how these charitable organisations are run by corrupted and greedy individuals.
Want to donate something? Try starting with the Foot and Mouth Association. Their greeting cards are pretty nice. Try St. John’s and Red Cresent too.
Monkey - You talking about that Indian lady by any chance? The one who says her son has a hole in the heart and is going to die? Well, apparently, he has been “dying” for the last 10 years! I shit you not… This woman is an absolute bitch and should be avoided at all costs! I give you two incidences to explain why…
1. I was at Mak Koh in Bangsar once. Saw her and her kids enter BASKIN ROBINS to buy ice cream! She bought 3 double scoops!
2. A friend saw her entering Lotus, Jln Gasing to ask for donations. Most people told her to bugger off. One family was nice enough to tell her to order some food as they would pay for it. She proceeded to order crabs, fish, mutton, chicken, etc. Basically, she ordered all the super expensive food. When the waiter came to ask her how she would pay, she started shouting “That family said they will pay! Ask them ask them!!” The family was so embarassed! They were only there for some tea but ended up paying over RM50 for her food!
well, yea, i feel the same way about there fuckers…however they are at least a little better than those bastards that use kids or old folks…some even to the extend disabling a human-being to beg.
seen these in china…the same woman and child will sit at different rubbish bin every day and evening and eat rice…and everytime there happened to have rice/leftover rice for her…seen a guy that smacks his head till it bleeds for money…whatever sick way they can think off..fuck..
I just take out a bunch of RM1 coins and they will go away.
mutants. the whole load of them.
M-U-T-A-N-T-S!!!!!!
But doc, later RM1 coins not valid anymore how leh? I lazy wanna open my wallet and give them hope liao :p
MutantTomato,
I see u’re a Bangsar boy, too!
Silencers, that’s the whole point. It won’t be valid anymore in 3 months. So keep a bunch in your pocket and when approched, dig hard into your pocket and give them 2 or 3 gold coins, depending on how generous you feel.
Everyone is a Bangsar boy/girl. Go to MutantTomato’s blog. I think he has an entry about the “colourful” characters in Bangsar. A good read no doubt.
Dudes, so what if the coins are not valid? just keep some of them, then those that really pisses you off, just give them…
Am not a big fan of these people. While many people would give some money to such people out of pity for the sweat soaked teenager roaming in a humid hawker centre, the phrase “But it’s for charity” is just aimed as a personal judgement of the targetted customer. “You who do not donate are a bad, bad, uncharitable person”. I remember once at a coffee shop I got approached 5 times, beggars, charity workers, lottery ticket sellers. Wouldn’t it be better to go around advertising your charity and accept donations when offered, rather than forcing some stuff down people’s throats? And I hate people disturbing my dinner.
is selling a pack of tissue paper for several times the original price making it different from begging? beggars need to find alternative ways to work for a living.
the other group who try to collect money for charitablel organizations, are mostly conmen. even if they are real, the money doesn’t really go to the needy.
Monkey: Thanks for the advert about my blog, bro. Cheers!
Insomniac: Yes bro. I am a Bangsar boy. Well, I WAS a Bangsar boy la but I left when Bangsar got fucked over. But thats a WHOLLLLLLE other story…
Guys, I have seen examples of a mother hurting her baby to get sympathy and donations la. I was in Ireland last year. In Dublin, you will see lots of Romanians. Over there, Romanians are our equivalent os Indons/Banglas; the Govt. lets them in for God alone knows what reason, but all the citizens hate them to the core!
Some of these Gypsy fuckers had babies witht hem. The funny thing is, you would NEVER see the baby cry. Then I found out the reason… The mothers would DRUG the babies so that they would just sleep and not cry. See, a crying baby would need attention; attention that could be used to solicit money.
Mind you, these fucking Pikeys are persuasive ma’fuckers! They will tug your shirt, shadow you, block your way, etc! One even had the audacity to take my ciggies from my table when I was having coffee! Then, she could actually come back and ask for money! What the FUCK?!?!
What I said to her shall not be written here because it might scar some of you nicer people… Lets just say by the time I was done sounding her, I bet she was considering the purpose of her existence.
Souplad has a good point. In some cases it’s better to volunteer to actually do stuff rather han just giving them money to hire someone else to do stuff. That way, you can make sure that your effort goes directly to helping the orang tua/orang cacat/anak yatim/mangsa tsunami instead of being eaten up by admin costs. And you actually get to meet the ppl you’re helping instead of throwing money at some faceless organization.
On a Habitat for Humanity trip (in US) I helped build a house for a poor woman and her kids…it was fun to pretend to be a construction worker just for 1 week. But we also got to meet the lady and it was humbling to realize that we (a bunch of uni students) had so much unearned privileges in our lives, while she who was older and had done far more hard work than us had to resort to asking for a charity-built house.
Here’s the link for the Habitat branch in M’sia…apparently they’ve only built houses in Kuching so far but going to start in Penang and KL. yay! http://www.habitat.org/intl/ap/124.aspx
HEY ! This blog’s mushing up ! It’s supposed to be 62% evil … you know, punching kids and stuffs.
But you people, you people are really nice. Keep it up.
For my part, I don’t think I’ll be sharing what I did for charity. Just take my word, I’m a nice guy (sometimes). Cheers.
Mike… betui ka? if real means the next time I come down to Penang, I will belanja you the “powderful” ice kacang in the lane near Chowrasta market… forget the name of the lane la… But I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
I cant believe these people here have so much bullshit to say about other people who collect money for charity because you are a bunch of fuckin tight arses. If these guys come up to you and collect some money, they are already doing some work arent they? Why is it free money then? Who cares if the money really goes to the charity or not. All these people ask of you is bloody 50 cents. Can’t you just give it to them and donate your 1000 dollars to bloody Red Cross at their headquarter.? Put it this way, if you give a dollar to this guy who claims to collect for Red Cross, even he doesnt, he takes the money to buy himself some food, isnt that charity? The truth is these people also need food. Maybe they cant get a proper job. People like you fucks talk cock like why cant able bodied youths don work is because you were bloody born into a middle class family not because you are better than them. Just thank god you are bloody lucky that you even have a computer screen to look at now. You know what’s free money? Sitting at home getting pocket money from our dads and moms. Thats free money, you fuck.