How do you deal with street canvassers

[LuS1fer]

Generally a stern face and avoiding eye contact works for me but in the event I'm caught off guard, my own favourite is to say "Sorry but I'm in a dreadful hurry for an urgent appointment" and then walk in an exaggeratedly really really slow walk away from them.

[zoom_jones]

Depends on the following:

What they look like, (shallow I know but I'd rather spend 20mins talking to a gorgeous blonder lady than an obscure sweaty looking male student)

What they're canvassing for, (i.e. whether I agree with it or not. Whether I'd be interested in it)

How much time I have, (usually not very much so I do the walk on by thing)

Their canvassing attitude, (whether they have a pleasent demeanur or whether they're just too damn pushy and obnoxious - most seem ok these days or maybe its me mellowing?!)

However, market research is useful and these poor people are only trying to do something useful I guess.

[Vitesse39]

A firm but polite "No thank you", then if they persist I feel free to then tell them to go away in short sharp jercky movements

[pdV6]

F-ing chuggers! Hate 'em.

Seeing as they don't take "no" for an answer any more, I just blank 'em now.

[simpo two]

They never stop me.

Must be the uniform: Japanese Admiral - works every time

[Raify]

I tell them, in Spanish, that I don't speak a word of English so I can't really help.

I've only been caught out once by a bi-lingual canvasser

[Jinx]

Answer all their questions with ridiculous answers. Soon gets them edging away worriedly and refusing to make eye contact......

[mechsympathy]

Usually the old Jedi mind trick (in Alec Guiness' voice) "These are not the droids you are looking for." It's surprisingly effective on beggars too

[silversun]

A polite "No thank you" normally does the trick, I find.

[paolow]

hold your mobile to your ear as you walk past....

[JMGS4]

"No thanks I've already got a vacuumcleaner" or
Yes I do believe in God what do you want to know?"
usually they hurry away looking rather confuddled and mefused.....

[EmmaP]

I say, with an apologetic smile, "Sorry! I work in advertising." and move swiftly along. It's always greated with an equally apologetic, but understanding smile from the canvasser.

[Ecks Ridgehead]

I was accosted in Tunbridge Wells high street a few weeks ago by some kind of god-botherer, who said as I approached "Excuse me sir, but what is the most important thing in life to you?" to which I replied "Not being bothered by strangers" and kept walking, which shut him up a treat.

[ZR1cliff]

A "No Thanks" normally does the trick,but where the street is infested with a lot of them ime gonna try this little trick,

paolow said:

hold your mobile to your ear as you walk past....

[skibum]

Birmingham City Centre is a nightmare for this. If its not Market Research, its the Childrens Charities. If not them, its some martial arts centre. The worst one is the group of about 10 asian lads between 20-25 all in their Ciro Citterio suits asking If I've had any accidents in the last 12 months - bloomin parasites!!!

[zcacogp]

skibum said:

The worst one is the group of about 10 asian lads between 20-25 all in their Ciro Citterio suits asking If I've had any accidents in the last 12 months

"Yes, I was involved in a bomb blast a week ago ..."


Oli.

[Ali_D]

skibum said:

The worst one is the group of about 10 asian lads between 20-25 all in their Ciro Citterio suits asking If I've had any accidents in the last 12 months - bloomin parasites!!!

When these co's first started I was accosted by a sales lady as i walked through a shopping centre "have you had an accident sir?" and I managed, whilst keeping a completely straight face, to reply "no its just the way I'm walking". She looked very confused and my wife nearly wet herself as we walked off, don't suppose it'd be as funny now as they must hear that sort of line all the time.

[skibum]

I find the stoney faced glare works a treat. If you can muster up your best "you talk to me and I'll fing kill you" look, then they seem to get the message.

[lil]

I just wave my hand round in an agitated manner and say, "sorry, in a hurry", whilst keeping walking. They don't catch me unawares as I've got eagle eyes and spot them a mile off.

Particularly HATE the ones that trail along next to you like a lap dog on heat continuing to pursue you/the subject. Usually a few withering looks sees them off... eventually ... Grrrr!!!

[MilnerR]

Ever have problems making your way through crowded shopping precints and high streets? Simply get a clipboard and practice your best beseeching look, and as if by magic your path will be clear.....