Not even a GREETING!

United States
December 10, 2006 9:17am CST
Last night I went to Walmart to do my grocery shopping. Driving in, I saw the Salvation Army bell ringer, so I parked my car and dug out all my change. I walked up and put all my change in. The guy did not even greet me with Hello, or Merry Christmas. He didnt even acknowledge that I was THERE. He didnt say Thank you. The only thing I saw him do was a big yawn while nodding at a passerby. It really irks me that he didn't even acknowledge me when I was putting money in his bucket, yet he nodded and yawned at someone else just walking in. I also would like a THANK YOU, is it wrong to expect this?
39 responses
• Hong Kong
11 Dec 06
No,it's not wrong to expect the Thank you,but don't take it personally,maybe he's just tired or something.Do remember,u gave the change because u wanted to do something nice,not because u want a Thank you,right?
• United States
11 Dec 06
No I didnt give it because I wanted thanks, but I do want to know he appreciates it, or at least that the Salvation Army does. If I gave anonymously, I certainly wouldnt have wanted thanks. In this case I walked right up TO HIM and his bucket and put the money in. Seriously, how can you NOT say thanks? Or Merry Christmas, or Bless you....etc. I expect common courtesy, I guess. Not really thanks, just common courtesy.
@1fatpig (785)
• Australia
11 Dec 06
All these charity organizations , dont care anymore .. these people collecting get a percentage of what goes in there buckets or what they sell !! I think they get disappointed when there takings are down , I also have a gripe with the organizations that pressure you into buying things and when you do they just keep sending you stuff by the truck load and they must pass your name onto others .. because the phone dont stop ringing and the mail box is always full and the bloody doorbell ...
@1fatpig (785)
• Australia
11 Dec 06
Ive even had them say is all your giving , sorry we only take notes..
@sunrisekn (1466)
• United States
11 Dec 06
Absolutley not. I had another experience with one of the Salvation Army people yesterday. I was putting my change in there and he looked up at the pigeons that were perched on Wal-Mart wall and spread his arms like a hug and yelled at the top of his lungs "Come to me my fine feathered friends", my 8 month old started to cry and they guys friend that was hanging out with him started to laugh.I thought oh my gosh, they've hired a crazy man. I wanted to punch them. My husband said I should call and complain, I haven't decided yet.
@GardenGerty (160713)
• United States
11 Dec 06
I think you should call and complain, as this is not really the type of representation the Salvation Army would want.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 06
No it is not wrong of you to expect that at all and I have heard a lot of People saying that now I have been lucky I have always had a thank you so far
@Mickie30 (2626)
11 Dec 06
Me on the wall - Me on the wall
No I don't think its wrong to expect a bit of courtesy. I think its wrong he didn't acknowledge you though he might of been tired by the sounds of it still no excuse though.
• India
11 Dec 06
I agree totally. Granted he might be tired, just about to get off, he may have had the fight he had with his girlfriend on his mind, or maybe he was worried about the nuke that his neighbour may have started assembling, but that does not excuse his behaviour, in a developed country. Here, it would not really raise eyebrows. Just some socio-cultural differences, I guess!
• United States
11 Dec 06
If I am not mistaken these people are volunteers.....in which case you should tell this man that he should be a little more enthusiastic or hang up his bell! I totally agree with you though...its ridiculous he could at least make it look like he is enjoying himself ~ it is the holiday season...nothing worse than a ba-hum-bug attitude!
• United States
11 Dec 06
I am so glad Im not the only one who thinks that if they aren't happy to do it they shouldn't be doing it!!! Nice to know Im not wrong in at least wanting a greeting. Its a donation so I dont think any thanks or "praise" is warranted or even necessary but at least greet me... ugh.
@rainbow (6761)
11 Dec 06
I think that was very rude of him! Obviously nodding to another shopper was meant to make them feel they should donate. As you were donating anyway he perhaps felt you had got your warm fuzzy feeling and were dismissed. Another time I personally would think twice and maybe give my change to a charity that at least could say thank-you. I gave my change to the MacMillan Nurses last time I went shopping and they INSISTED to the point of running after me on giving me charity wristbands for my boys - 2 even though I only had one of my boys with me. Obviously my £3 was appreciated, especailly so near Christmas.
@123mosco (629)
• Nigeria
11 Dec 06
if no body love u and dont care to great you pls always feel good.
@AIKOMEI (300)
• Singapore
11 Dec 06
Merry Christmas! - Merry Christmas!
I think that guy was being extremely rude. Don't think too much about that irritating guy. You are very kind to have put some money in that will go a long way in helping those in need. Cheer up! You will get rewarded for your goodness and merry christmas!!!
• United States
11 Dec 06
while i can understand being tired and him thinking it's just a job a simple thank you is not so much to expect. i think it's more that we all have become more relaxed with basic courtesy. its really quite a shame.
@Kaorin (756)
• Australia
11 Dec 06
You're definitely not wrong to expect a thankyou and some sort of acknoowledgement. However, the guy might have just been standing there unmoving for a few hours and was really tired or had simply tuned out. He might have accidently caught someone elses eye so he just nodded. I know because I've done that before while being a door greeter, it's an incredibly boring job. But still, he should have at least said thankyou, even if it was a very tired and unenthused one.
• United States
13 Dec 06
You should've grabbed the bell out of his hand and bonked him upside the head. That would've woken him up, lol.
@design (849)
• Ireland
11 Dec 06
He should have said something or even a nod.I think this problem is right across the board not just with the salvation army.
• India
11 Dec 06
You show your greatness by not expecting anything in return for the kindness shown by you.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Dec 06
No, it is certainly not wrong for you to expect to be acknowledged. I have encountered a vast number of people who work for the Salvation Army and I have never experienced anything like that. It is very uncommon for the Salvation Army to ignore anyone, and I suggest that if this person finds it so inconvenient to collect for the charity then he should not be representing them.
@padhukr (2267)
• India
11 Dec 06
hi, wish u a happy merry Christmas & wish u a happy new year.
@epizzahut (2078)
• China
11 Dec 06
no I dont think so.you are right. but in my case i don't expect anything, you expect less you gain more. sorry I say that!
• China
11 Dec 06
i am not quite sure about this ,this phennonmene nowadays can be seen in our country too.in my ponion ,it should be good thing for malmart if we shoped there,and the stuff are never too strict to be required to say hello or thank you to us . but sometimes they don't ,so that is the problem
@ankagar (1034)
• India
11 Dec 06
That is really strange
@sexymuma (1261)
11 Dec 06
manners are really slipping these days are they not.how rude.