However, something happened on the way to the afore mentioned banks. I came across an old man who, evidently, was collecting money for some old man club/charity. Now, I don't personally have anything against giving money to charities, but only having a $50 note on me for my rent at the time, I opted to ignore the old man.

As I neared the bank, another old man, wearing the same outfit, spotted me. Something told me he knew I failed to generously give my money to their cause at the last donation spot, for he started shaking his money tin, perhaps in a rude attempt for me to give in.

At this point, I felt pressured and uncomfortable - so once again I decided not to comply to his wishes for free money. As I walked down the street, it appeared escaping the charity beggars was impossible. I stopped, turned around, and noticed that there was a whole line of old men in red shirts, strategically placed within 10-15 paces from each other, all shaking their money tins in an eerily greedy/rude fashion. 

What drove me to write this article, however, was before I escaped the line of old men, two younger people with happy faces approached me. "Oh great.." I said, defeated. "Mormons." And indeed they were.

Now, don't get me wrong - I don't have anything against anyone's religious beliefs or anything, but I just think that people lining the streets, hindering "targets" from their daily errands is not the best way to get people interested in your faith, charity or product.

It happens at the malls and shopping centres, too - People from credit card companies and health gyms stopping people in their tracks in order to promote their product. The biggest problem with this system is the people these companies set their sights on.

Credit card companies tend to stop people who look lower-middle class. I guarantee if you walk past an American Express counter in a suit, you wont get a second look. Charities shake their collection tins at people who are holding their wallet or purse. Health companies stop overweight people.

This comes as no surprise, as these customers are the target demographic for the respective product. But they should look at the situation from the customer's view - When the average Joe walks around a mall, he gets stopped by up to 10 people who want his money. Surely, there are more effective ways of advertising?

So, a plea to sales-people, religion-converters, beggars and charity collectors - if someone doesn't want to stop, don't chase them, don't rattle your tin at them, don't flash a laser light in their eyes - it's not going to work.

Till next time.

-Ty
Editor,
TyCorp Revolution Australia.