When I was in elementary school, I used to spend a lot of time in my father’s computer store. I noticed that he had a sign in his storefront and that every other business had one too. I remember asking him what “no solicitation” meant.
To be quite honest, I think I used to believe it had something to do with smoking (I was still too young to be thinking about sex). He explained to me that the sign indicated that no one was allowed to come into his store and sell their products or services. This made some sense to me at my young age. I was just happy knowing that the ice cream truck came every evening at 5 p.m.
My small amount of research leads me to believe that solicitation laws vary in different regions of the United States. However, we cannot deny that our culture embraces solicitation.
Think about it. Remember the last time you bought Girl Scout cookies, candy bars, or magazine subscriptions from someone who rang your doorbell. Kids sell most of these items. Boys and girls learn the importance of fundraising for cheerleader outfits and orchestra uniforms.
I will never forget the annual magazine drive at my school. I hated that time. I never sold enough magazines to ride in the limousine and go to the pizza party. Yes, I still feel somewhat bitter about this. How would you feel if your kid could not sucker 50 people into renewing or purchasing a magazine subscription? Does that mean he has to suffer through lunchtime without enough points to trade in for the coolest toy in the world?
I have never personally been approached by anyone to purchase Tupperware. In fact, since coming to college, the only people who have asked me for money in person are Girl Scouts, sorority girls, and student organizations. Every now and then I will get some spam mail or a random phone call about my soon-to-expire car insurance. Because I have donated to a number of non-profits, I also receive their newsletters and the annual, monthly, or weekly request for money.
And I do get a lot of e-mail from SMU as well. I’ve already donated my $20.08. Twice!
Does all this asking bother me? Only a little bit. Life would be great if I had a way to filter uninteresting requests. Maybe I should start carrying a sign around that says, “Stop soliciting.” That way, when I walk by the West Bridge on Wednesdays, I won’t feel guilty for not buying some bubble tea. It is really good, but I am scared I might aggravate my impending diabetic problem. Or I could go with the more trendy approach and pretend I am talking on my cell phone and avert my eyes even though I know the people who are working the tables.
I do know how difficult it can be to try and ask for donations. People will always buy Girl Scout cookies because they taste good. However, I see a problem with the popularity of these cookies. The Girl Scouts’ Web site states that “the activity of selling cookies is directly related to our purpose of helping all girls realize their full potential and become strong, confident, and resourceful citizens.”
If people love these cookies, these young women will never learn the life skill of perseverance. They will never experience the terrible feeling of a door slamming in their face. On the plus side, they learn about marketing channels; fraternity houses are prime cash cows. They just drop a form off and pick it up in a week. Huzzah!
All this has me thinking about our country. Middle class Americans are growing up in a society that coddles and spoils them in every possible way. I fear that our young people are forgetting, or worse, not learning the importance of hard work and perseverance.
This scares me a lot. In fact, it scares me enough to reject the next kid that asks me for a donation. I do not know how effective this method will be. Maybe I should take notes from the telemarketing scene in “Boiler Room.” The main character rails on the salesman and then offers him another chance to sell him a newspaper subscription.
So don’t feel bad the next time you pick up your pace to avoid talking to volunteers on the West Bridge, the Crossing, or the Flagpole. You are teaching them life lessons.
Perhaps, for your soul’s sake, you should stop and listen to the stories of these passionate volunteers. Caution: You might end up giving up your lunch money, which just might save someone’s life or help give someone hope for a future.
Daniel Liu is a graduate engineering management student. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].