How do you feel about stores collecting for charitable causes?

[skygazer]

I don't mean the local store with the coffee can collecting for the kid down the street who needs a heart transplant. I mean the big corporate chain that is collecting for prostate cancer research, or breast cancer research, or whatever.

I have mixed feelings because I work in one of those places. It rather galls me to have to ask customers (and we HAVE to ask) who are spending hundreds of dollars already to give more, even though I realize they are good causes. It feels like you're putting them on the spot - who wants to say "no" to cancer research?

My other quibble is the reason behind it - because I tend to think the main reason is less to help others and more to make the company look good.

Am I being too cynical? How do YOU feel about being asked for donations in checkout lines?

[petronius]

1. I'm not a big fan of it. However, I'm more offended by waitstaff who think I

should give them a tip just for taking my order and delivering food. WTF am I, a goddam bank!? ;)

Back on topic, I think you're right - it's more of a public relations thing, and it's not really fair to the workers. We don't have that, but we do get a form every year from the United Way, officially, we're supposed to sign and return it even if we don't want to donate... :grr: