Charity ambush

I AM writing to tell you about an encounter I had in a supermarket on Friday.

I had a few groceries and after the till operator rang them up, they asked me in a very loud voice if I would like to donate €2 to a specific charity event.

There were a number of people behind me in the queue as I searched through my purse before saying that I had no change. To which the operator replied, again at volume, that it was okay they could take it off my debit card. At this stage I was holding up the queue, I was embarrassed and so I acquiesced.

Now, before you brand me a curmudgeon, I donate to a number of charities of my choosing via direct debit.

And had I seen any signage advertising the fact that the supermarket was seeking donations that day, I would have had time to consider it.

But I felt ambushed and embarrassed, which I’m sure is not something those organising the charity event would wish for.

Perhaps the supermarket is not aware of the cost-of-living crisis? Or the fact that some people are on a fixed income? Or that some people cannot afford to make charitable donations?

I do hope this was a one-off, and that making people feel shamed into donating – a practice I believe is pervasive in American supermarkets – does not catch on here. Otherwise I will be taking my custom elsewhere.

Name and address with editor.