Last June, Hubby and I went around (in our neighborhood) to collect for ANGO (Algemene Nederlandse Gehandicapten Organisatie), an organization that helps handicap and people with chronic ailment. It was a volunteer job that hubby signed up for online, and I merely tagged along to meet our other neighbors.
You wouldn´t believe what people are capable of doing when you come knocking at their door, with the little plastic thing where people could drop loose change but also paper money.
One guy asked us if we knew who he was. We said no. He introduced himself as the TV host of a program for some charity organization. Then he said, I am already doing enough charity work. With that note, he left and closed the door behind him.
An elderly woman asked for an identification card, and the document that states that we are official collectors of ANGO.
A guy told us he doesn´t believe in charity, and slammed the door angrily.
A middle-aged woman said she doesn´t have change, and has only 10 euros in her wallet.
Others didn´t even bother to open the door, and the thing is, you could see them from outside that they are home, watching television.
As we walked home, I wonder why it was sooo difficult for those people to share 20 or 50 cents. It doesn´t say that you are obliged to give 100 euros. Any amount is welcome. You may even donate 5 cents if you want. Oh well....
10 comments:
the undutchables has a pretty interesting explanation about that. in this country, you just dont knock at people's house and ask for donations. its like telling them what they need to do. which are not very dutch. on the contrary, the Dutch are very big contributors to charities.
people by nature are like that... depends on how they were raised =).... i am just glad we are not like them. credits be to our parents :=)
sometimes it's not really a question of whether one wants to give or not. most of us--and this holds true even here in sorsee--are averse to opening our doors to strangers kaya dili naghahatag. arog sadi san nagcarol kita san december. kita hinaratagan kay mga kakilala ta man lang an gincarolan ta. pero an mga batit na nagririlibot "patawad" lang an iabutan. :p
it's good to know that there are people like you who will take time out of their day to help out others. very comforting!
@Pinay: There is a schedule for this kind collection that is announced on radios, newspapers,television, and even the neighborhood newsletter. In fact, we were instructed (on paper) by the Organization to collect between 6 and 8 PM only, on specified dates. So, we did not just knock on people´s door at our own whim. We followed a schedule that was announced earlier. Besides, this collection happens every June. ;)
The incident made an impression on me because it was the first time we did something like that. Of the 40 houses in our steet, only 8 were friendly. The rest were indifferent and somewhat rude. (I think, we will both agree that slamming doors was unneccesary, and rude.)
Yes, it´s true that Dutch are very generous. I have a copy of The Undutchables as well. Bought and read it in 2002. So, I know what you mean. Anyways... :)
@Sol: If you're talking about slamming doors, yes, I am glad that I was brought up and was taught never to slam doors on strangers no matter what. :)
@Anna: I think you're right. It was a bit frustrating lang kay agresibo an iba. There was this guy who yelled at us, kicked and slammed the door. Sige pa an muda sa sulod san balay niya. Napatawa na lang kami na mag-asawa kay wara man kami hinimo, other than rang the bell.
@Jesusa: si agom an presintado. Ako, nag upod lang. LOL
I have grown tired instructing my father on how 'not' to be rude at the door. At times he will open the door, mumble something through the little crack of the door and slam it shut. I am left dumbfounded and embarassed. :oP I give up...
I did my bit of volunteering yesterday. First official one for Welfare of Stray Dogs. Did an afternoon shift, partnered with someone else to manage a stall in an all girls college near my house. I wished I had done this when I was in college. Would have been more exciting for me cuz it is a girl's college. :D
But it was nice. The stall did some brisk business.
When the stall is open to general public, we get all sorts. Those who hate dogs, those hate only strays, and those who want bargain prices even when the money is for charity. They are getting things cheap any which ways but they want it cheaper. :oP
That way the girls in Sophia College were very polite and nice.
How nice of you to volunteer to do collecting work for this organisation!
I'm sorry it didn't work out as you had envisioned it. And yes, I agree that people can be very rude, if you don't want to contribute, just don't, but don't slam the door shut!
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