I HATE being hit up for money at every turn. Even co-workers show up for cookies or fund drives for schools. That puts me in a very awkward position. I just have to say that I'm not in a financial position to help. Period.
However, to play devils advocate....if that tactic didn't work, they wouldn't use it.
I personally am a sucker for the firemen with the boots but they never get in the way or obstruct me. As a matter of fact I've sometimes gone around the block to go back and give money. They are collecting for MS usually and I think it's heroic that men that put their lives on the line every day as their daily work would go out and try to help others. I have a soft spot for firemen being a NYer and after 9/11.
I guess at the end of the day we each have the right to say no. Sometimes it's not an easy thing to do.
Claudia