Will you accept a straw from strangers?

Your writing is excellent, lordwarwizard, and describes a strange situation perfectly. Who can account for all the actions of others, theye are in their own little world bubble.
We all tend to shrink away from the unknown and it is a natural reaction to deny a 'gift' from a stranger. Wonder what she's doing now?

Well I don't think I would have taken the straws from her. I would have asked why they were giving them away. Maybe there was some kind of contest going on and you had to have the right straw??..lol Sounds kind of bizarre to me, there must have been some reason...

To be honest, I would have taken them and said thank you and smiled, and when I was out of her sight I would have put them in the nearest bin, we have elections coming soon in Scotland and every time we go out someone is handing us some kind of pamphlet or other for some other party, so!! I take them and say thank you and smile and guess what ( you got it ) I wait till I am out of site and bin them, I just don't like to hurt peoples feelings, But I would NEVER have used the straws, not under any circumstances xx

Yes it does make you feel refreshed when you step inside a mall with the air conditioning especially as it is extremely hot outside some days. I would not of accepted those straws either as like you say they were not covered with anything so you would be liable of picking up germs. When our people are trying to give away such items they do not hand them out in this manner. So it all depends on what they are promoting and giving away so accept it or not.

How weird! I wonder why they were handing out straws? now if it was chocolates or free samples of body lotions, lipsticks (with the wrappings) then I would consider it, but not straws! LOL this is too funny!

I would of said something like "WHy would I want those dirty straws?"

But that is me. I would also let them know that they probably fulled with germs because they are not wrapped like a straw should be.

:)

I wouldn't take it.

That was really a very strange experience. I have been racking my pitiful brain to think of any business sales ploy that could induce giving anyone unhygienically unsealed drinking straws and I come up with zero. Unless you are giving us a trick discussion and you will let us know there is a good reason/answer??

what a very odd promotional! I wonder if the mall authorities were aware of their being there accosting the shoppers in such a manner. NO! I would neither accept the straws nor would I hold them... who knows what matter of contaminant is on them! unwrapped? gracious, they could be laced with LSD or something. no thank you, get out of my face lady who likes to shove straws at people.

That is pretty strange indeed!,did you ask what is it for? im too is confused about it, it never happened here in our country..but if ever then of course i wont accept it..

I would have said thanks but no thanks. Who knows who handled those straws before they would have been given to you. Yuck. I have seen lots of things given away for free before but never straws. Well that is the straw that broke the camels back. lol.