Singapore Expats

Not sure whether you guys feel the same, or if I'm alone here: what's with this habit of sending children/teenagers out on the streets to ask for money/sell trinkets/beg?

I work in Raffles Place and the place is awash daily with youth running around with collection boxes, jumping at passers-by in rapid succession. It's irritating as hell, with the added annoyance (intended I am sure) of being put on the spot by saying "no, thanks" to smiling children. To make matters worse, these kids aren't even coached properly - ask them for some detail on where this money os going and most will have no idea at all.

I find it galling that supposedly serious institutions such as schools, charities and churches find absolutely no problem in pimping their children while bugging the hell out of everyone else.

(end of rant)

For a while they stopped accosting hapless pedestrians, instead just standing there and waiting for a voluntary gesture. But it looks like the collected sums took a thorough beating, because they've gone right back to putting you on the spot as you exit the MRT and what-not.

Yes, it's pretty annoying, especially because the little sticker I get to paste on my shirt I after donated is ignored as often as it's honored.

whats it for?

Is it those junior school students asking money for charity events?

As well. Junior school students. Also kids selling bookmarks painted by people with no arms. These are just two examples.

Yesterday there were six or seven different groups of children roaming around raffles place all collecting for different things. I did not stop to ask - all I get is the generic "to help" and it annoys the s£%* out of me.

I think it is great that young people are engaged in social causes - lord knows people are selfish enough as it is. This sort of activity, however, is really NOT the most appropriate to have children do. Not only they get the idea that throwing money (loose change) at problems is commitment enough, but it doesn't actually engage them in any meaningful way. They don't even know what these charities are about.

kookaburrah wrote:As well. Junior school students. Also kids selling bookmarks painted by people with no arms. These are just two examples.

Yesterday there were six or seven different groups of children roaming around raffles place all collecting for different things. I did not stop to ask - all I get is the generic "to help" and it annoys the s£%* out of me.

I think it is great that young people are engaged in social causes - lord knows people are selfish enough as it is. This sort of activity, however, is really NOT the most appropriate to have children do. Not only they get the idea that throwing money (loose change) at problems is commitment enough, but it doesn't actually engage them in any meaningful way. They don't even know what these charities are about.

if you are referring to flag days, many a charity depends on the Flag day collection to run their operation.

if you don't want to give, don't give .

You can always ask to see their approval by NCSS if you think it is a scam. All fund raising events have to keep a copy, if anybody wants to see

ecureilx wrote: if you are referring to flag days, many a charity depends on the Flag day collection to run their operation.

if you don't want to give, don't give .

You can always ask to see their approval by NCSS if you think it is a scam. All fund raising events have to keep a copy, if anybody wants to see

That's where I see a problem - the "many a charity" issue. There are indeed many. Countless, for a country the size of a handkerchief. This is the fifth different country I live in, and never have I been accosted by these many children asking me to contribute towards every conceivable cause under the sun. I agree that charities need funds to run their operations - but this, in my opinion, is the lazy way to do it.

I am sure they all have their permits and that their need is legitimate. What I feel is that this need is completely secondary to the exercise - children ask as they are told to with vague instructions beyond the "smile, look cute and say how nice we are being to old people/little orphans/whatever". This leads to the impression, seemingly prevalent around here, that dealing with old people/little orphans/whatever is exclusively the responsibility of said charity with no need for further engagement by the general population beyond these flag days.

Well the children are ok, they can take no for an answer. I've had some really persistent volunteers from the heart foundation. They look far too professional to be volunteers. I guess they work on a commission basis.

They really insisted on a large donation and even had a installment plan to donate (100$ monthly can?). Totally amazed at the idea, if you don't have the money to donate today will you be able to afford it tomorrow?

Another incident around a year and a half ago, we had one of these good Samaritan turn up at our doorstep at 10 p.m. when i told him i donate to other causes and would not be able to help him, he got all angry and started yelling in mandarin.

I sometimes wonder how much of what you donate really goes towards the cause.

Arsenal_fan wrote: They really insisted on a large donation and even had a installment plan to donate (100$ monthly can?). Totally amazed at the idea, if you don't have the money to donate today will you be able to afford it tomorrow?

Oh I got this my first week here. Not only that, it had to be a credit card. Couldn't even give cash. I wouldn't have cared if they would pocket it just to GTFO at that point.

Arsenal_fan wrote:I've had some really persistent volunteers from the heart foundation. They look far too professional to be volunteers. I guess they work on a commission basis.

They really insisted on a large donation and even had a installment plan to donate (100$ monthly can?). Totally amazed at the idea, if you don't have the money to donate today will you be able to afford it tomorrow?...
I sometimes wonder how much of what you donate really goes towards the cause.

This is reminiscent of 'chuggers' in UK cities - ie 'Charity Muggers'. AFAIK they get paid something like 20% of all donations made, and that's why they're so aggressive ('Empowered workforce' to the max, ironically).

I just tell them to Eff Off, and will not give any money via any means to '''charities''' that employ them.

Refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuggers
Especially the sub-section 'Criticism'.

I've had none here. At all.

Maybe your countenance scares them off?

I don't get too many either as when I see them swarming in the distance, by the time I get to them I look like I'd bite their off if they so much as look at me.

Truth. A hatchet face and a buzz cut on a 5'10", 195lb woman is usually deterrent enough.

It must be where you live/work and how you commute. Last time I encountered one was I believe around 2002.

Must be, I haven't even seen them in the distance. They don't bother the po' people.