How to say no to street sellers

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It makes going out even more stressful than it already is. I hate the in-your-face rudeness of these people, even if they are doing a job it's not right that they use psychological harassment to get money out of people. Same goes for door-to-door charity collectors & telephone cold-calling.

They are all designed to hook you in to a conversation where they can 'close the deal'. I object to being targeted by people for their own ends.

It makes me angry that I feel like i'm the one doing wrong just by expecting to be allowed to go about my own business in peace. I would mind less if a polite 'no thanks' would work, but because they do push & get in your face & use guilt-trips then that is engaging in harassing tactics IMO.

I find a blank non-engagement a good first rule, a waving away with the hand if they get near my face, verbalising only as a last resort (or if they 'seem' polite enough to listen to a no thanks).

I know charities want funds, but this sort of approach puts me off supporting them, rather than helping. These people are employed by 3rd party companies that take a cut in the donations, so sorry, I will donate directly to charities of my choosing, in my own time, without being pressurised.

In fact, the next doorstep collector that calls may get asked for a donation to MY chosen charity

Same here. Also, it's hypocritical of charities that are trying to help the vulnerable by manipulating people into giving them money.

A lot of these charities are dodgy anyway.

They're big businesses, after all.

Always carry a cell/mobile in your hand or coat pocket and if approached just lift it to your ear and talk. If they attempt to engage you in conversation just say you are talking a learner pilot down to land safely as your flying instructor father has just fainted mid-lesson.

They will assume a] you are bonkers or b] you are a hero/heroine and must be left alone.

There's been a few stories of the RSPCA chasing after the relatives of deceased people demanding even more money from them.

i say i'm only 17
or that i'm late for work. which is usually true

i hate the way they try to flirt with people fakely, i'd rather they just be like 'hey we want some money pls'

In Australia they can't sell us stuff unless we're over 21. I look young for my age so I get away with saying that I'm 20.

Another of my friends wore very daggy, old, stained, mismatching clothes while he was studying at uni, so whenever they approached him, he'd gesture at his clothes and joke about being broke. That also worked.

I also use the in a rush thing. Most of the time I encounter them is in Melbourne, and I usually carry my messenger bag so even if it just has my netbook (for entertainment on the train), wallet and random stuff, I can say that I'm late for class or an appointment.

I pretend that I don't speak english.

I just completely ignore them and walk on by. I know it's rude, but at least I'm not shouting and/or swearing at them like some people.

^I have to agree with this guy^ these people are clearly ignored by many people every day, they're used to it.

Right, if people actually read this thread, they would understand that sometimes these chuggers walk in front of you and follow you. This is what I'm asking anyway - how do you deal with *that*?

I try to pretend I dont see them .

Now seriously I try to make it clear that Im not interested in whatever they are offering(unless it seems like a great cause which isnt likely) but they can keep talking about it if they wish, after several minutes they eventually notice I wasnt kidding and leave. Last time a female spent 5 minutes trying to get me to do monthly donations to doctors without boarders and she left me a leaflet with her contact info just in case I changed my mind, she was quite nice (unlike most of them)

If I have time and I am approached by charities/religious people I just stay and talk, even though I make clear that I'm not too interested or I don't have money to give. I believe it's a good thing because what these people want is not just money but also to increase awareness about their cause. I have been involved in fundraising myself, and I know how frustrating it might be.

Two things I found useful against obnoxious street sellers:
- wearing sunglasses, so I can look around without making eye contact or attracting attention (works well in street markets)
- saying "no, thanks" or similar things in the seller's language, if he/she is a foreigner in your country; I did that once without thinking and the street seller just froze on the spot, because it was kind of unexpected

If people approach and ask me for food, money, and charity donations, or try to recruit me into a political group, I usually say "Sorry, I'm in a hurry" and continue walking without providing any eye contact. It's not very safe to show off your money and wallet in front of the general public nowadays because people are always attempting to attack and rob you of those two things.

Pretend to be talking on a mobile phone as you are walking along and they won't bother approaching you. Even if it is not turned on or not even real, this should still work.