Yeah. Here in SF there are a variety of friendly people who hang out on busy sidewalks and try to start conversations. They are doing it to raise money for various charities. They will look miffed if you ignore their polite opening lines. Now any time somebody chats with me on the street I have to do a quick what-do-they-want evaluation.
I dislike them for it; it seems to me that they're strip-mining politeness. Each time they bug me, I get a little less polite to strangers, a little more wary. I think it's especially ironic when they're begging for environmental charities, saving natural resources by spoiling human ones.
I dislike them for it; it seems to me that they're strip-mining politeness. Each time they bug me, I get a little less polite to strangers, a little more wary. I think it's especially ironic when they're begging for environmental charities, saving natural resources by spoiling human ones.