Christmas Bell Ringer Angst

Don't you hate it when the Salvation Army bell ringers change shifts while you're shopping? You toss them a five on the way in, thanked by a shivering smile and nod...

You do your shopping, wander back outside and notice the ting-a-ling-ling getting just a bit more vigorous with the door opening. Complacent, almost smug in the fact that you've already given, you move your head to nod in the direction of the red-clad Army ringer. But- it isn't the same guy! It isn't even a guy this time, but a stout, grim-faced woman, intent on getting a donation from you.

Your mind whirls frantically- maybe you should have given after your shopping instead of before. Maybe you should just give a dollar (or a quarter, depending on what miserable retail job employs you this year) on your way in but save another dollar (or quarter) for the way out. Maybe you should forgo charitable donations altogether and invest in Google stock. Maybe you should make a mad dash for the ringing bell, scaring the woman into submission.
You glance at her again, facing the gimlet eye directly. She has sized you up- the iPod, the leather jacket, the cell phone attached to your ear. Surely you could afford a dollar to drop in the little red slot. You attempt a smile, duck your head, pretend to dig in an empty pocket.
You've made it past, your car is even visible from here. It's all behind you now, and you've vowed once again not to let it bother your soul. The car clicks comfortingly as the doors unlock, the doors that were locked to protect against people such as the red donation buckets go to help. You toss your packages into the trunk and are just about to slide in your seat when a voice rings out somewhere behind you, in the distance,

"Merry Christmas!"

Labels: charitable giving, Christmas, salvation army, shopping