'Excuse me sir/madam do just have 5 minutes to spare?'
By Humbug25
@Humbug25 (12540)
September 18, 2008 4:48pm CST
How many times have you heard this as you are walking down the street whilst someone is making a bee line for you with a clipboard in their hand? So many times you have lost count I'm sure. Recently I have simply not had the time to stop and I don't want another catalogue thank you. I think you get used to them and can figure out why they want to stop you. In the past I have stopped nearly everytime, have been asked a few 'qualifying' questions and been led to a room in a nearby building to complete the survey. After doing so I have been given a small gift for my participation, a shoe polisher, two cans of deodorant of my choice and even a £10 gift voucher for Marks and Spencer! I loved the sketch Victoria Wood did once about women who do surveys on the street, it was very funny.
So will you think twice now before you ignore these poor people trying to do a job standing around in the pouring rain? Do you always avoid these people as if they were a leper? Have you often stopped to help out with surveys on the street? Have you ever recieved a small gift for doing so?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
20 Sep 08
Hello Humbug! I have the perfect solution to avoid being hassled in the street, I wear my Ipod! Works a treat, people don't approach you when you have your ipod on, stereo or earphones because they know you can't hear them. Does that sound heartless or a good plan? I am always in a rush anyhow so I don't have time to stop, I know they have a job to do, but I hate surveys full stop! So it's a simple unrude solution don't ya think?
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
20 Sep 08
Hi ya wolfie34
You wuss!! 
You gotta be a man about these things and just say no thanks haven't got the time as you briskly walk past them!!
Seriously that is a good idea that way you are not being rude and not wasting your energy by stopping to say a single word!!
Cheers for the response 
You gotta be a man about these things and just say no thanks haven't got the time as you briskly walk past them!!
Seriously that is a good idea that way you are not being rude and not wasting your energy by stopping to say a single word!!
Cheers for the response 
@iyah10 (4115)
• Kuwait
20 Sep 08
No, I never tried to stop and have been answering a survey in the street and received a small amount of gift for it is not allowed here in Kuwait to have those people who are working in the street for it is very hot and it is prohibited and if they do so I guess it is the cosmetics company 
that i heard and encountered in the entrance of the Mall and they will let you try the perfume on you and if you do like it the smell then maybe you would buy one of it and if you don't it is also fine for them......
that i heard and encountered in the entrance of the Mall and they will let you try the perfume on you and if you do like it the smell then maybe you would buy one of it and if you don't it is also fine for them......1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I usually just ignore them or tell them I have something important to do that I am late for. Just a few weeks ago someone tried to stop a friend and myself as we were walking to class. We were already a bit late and didn't have time to stop so whenever a woman asked us if she could ask us a few questions, we told her the truth; we were late for class and did not have time to stop.
I know that they do have jobs to do and the like but really it can be annoying sometimes to be constantly hounded by people. Sometimes I just want to be left alone so I can do what I need to do and get it done, not be hounded by people.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Sep 08
Hi there highflyingxangel
Yes it can be annoying if you really are late and are trying to get somewhere but then they probably have to deal with people ignoring them all day and are used to it!! If not, they sure are in the wrong job!!
Thank you for your response
@ellie333 (21016)
•
18 Sep 08
NO I am in my lunch hour ooops sorry lunch half hour these days and all I want is to be left in peace to get a bite to eat, a drink and to do the banking that I haven't had chance to do all week, you get paid anyway and yes maybe more if I answer a question but not right now and especially not in the pouring rain. Huggles. Ellie :D1 person likes this
@sweethomecatring (1563)
• India
19 Sep 08
It is not possible to stop on way to help these street roamers for survey due to tight schedule ahead to complete. When your out about for fun and there is no harm in indulging in the survey and to enjoy a free gift or a voucher to get discount on shpping. Fun is fun and for them it is job to earn their livelihood.
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
19 Sep 08
Hello sweethomecatring
I guess in those days I simply had the time to stop. Maybe we should ask them a question - will I get a free gift if I complete your survey? If the answer is 'no' then your answer with then be, 'then no, I don't have just 5 to spare'!! [em]lol[/em
Thank you for your response
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Well where i live people rarely walk up to other people on the street but every now and then someone might approach you and hand you a pamphlet but here we mostly have annoying telemarketers but anyway, on those few occasions that someone dose approach me with a survey or brochure i try to be as polite as possible but sometimes those people can be way to pushy about the survey offers or information selling and i end having to telling them in a Strong voice that im just not intersted.
1 person likes this
