Saw a chugger with a "captive" victim today. A young man in his twenties was standing "listening" to a chugger. I didn't have my camera with me so I'll describe how the victim looked:
- Bored and fed up
- Arms across the body
- Feet pointed away from the chugger
The chugger meanwhile was getting more and more "enthusiastic". Perhaps he sensed he wasn't getting through? I was clear to me that the chuggee was a lost cause. So why did he stand there and take it? Well, a lot of people are brought up to be "polite" and it would have been "rude" to interrupt the chugger or just walk away. The chuggee had stopped for the chugger but had no "polite" exit tactic. The chugger was either staggeringly unaware, or, more likely, just didn't care. Maybe the chuggee signed up to bring the experience to a "polite" end - I didn't stay to watch.
Some would have no sympathy for the chuggee - I've even seen it suggested that if you're not able to say "No" to a chugger, you shouldn't be allowed out on your own! However, there are thousands of people who while not having any recognised mental disability cannot deal with these situations effectively. Some chuggers have the sensitivity and decency to recognise the signs and release their victims early. Had-nosed chuggers don't care and having captured a victim will relentlessly pursue a "sale".
If, like me, you are quite capable of being rude to strangers accosting you in the street, you may not understand any of the above!
