Charity Bypass

If you've worked with, been involved in or just take some sort of an interest in anything to do with charity, you've more than likely come across the term 'chugger' or 'chugging'. So what it a chugger? Well, to quote from urban dictionary;

Paid "charity" street worker (read: student) who has been trained to believe that they are carrying out a worthy task, improving peoples' lives by conning Joe Public out of their money for this week's Good Cause.

These guys are also known as 'charity muggers' (hence the formation of the word 'chugger'). They're aggressive, in your face, young, enthusiastic and usually carry clipboards and wear brightly coloured bibs. They can be found in big cities all over the world.

Ironically, they are usually paid by charities by the hour for their work. So that few quid you throw in to a donation box might actually be paying these guys wages. Of course, they in turn generate more cash for the charity, so the charity sees them as a good business investment. 

Quite often, these people will under go physchology training or some sort of communication training which gives them the confidence and skills required to get innocent passers-by to donate 'x' amount per month.

To avoid them here's some tips;

• Pretend you're on a call and talk loudly to your phone
• Wear headphones and make sure the wires are hanging out so they know/think you're listing to music.
• Tell them you don't speak english (preferably not in english)
• Avoid eye contact at all costs - any eye contact attracts them.

and remember - these guys are experts in phychology, they're dealing with people daily and in huge numbers. You are a potential 'sale', not a person. You keep these guys in business. So if you don't like them or don't want to sign up to their charity or whatever they're offering, DON'T! If you get trapped and are too nice to brush them off or ignore them, tell them you're already signed up or you've just been mugged or you're an independant chugger reviewer who is carrying out quality checks.