Why I will no longer buy The Big Issue.
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 8:37 am. 4 comments
To the Big Issue lady that stands on the corner of George and Ann St:
I’ve never hated someone I don’t know before. I’ve disliked staff at cafes, celebrities, miscellaneous smokers and girls that look way too beautiful for it to be 7am. I’ve been furious at careless motorists. I’ve been abrupt and impolite on behalf of friends and family - but only to those who truly seem to serve it.
I hate you.
When I worked at Telstra, I was an avid collector of the $4 big issue. There was a friendly salesman at the foot of the stairs at Roma St, and I often needed some light reading for the bus trip home. On top of that, the stories aren’t so bad, it’s for a good cause, and I guess I enjoy the liberal bias.
Then I bought a car, got a job where I don’t have time to read magazines while at work, and they bumped the price up to $5.
Fast forward to about a month ago, when this irritating woman surfaced outside work.
The first time I noticed her was after lunch one afternoon. I managed to slip past without being harassed, but several people queueing at the lights weren’t quite so lucky.
The next morning, after collecting my breakfast from Java Coast, I went and stood at the lights.
“Buy the Big Issue?”
–’err.. sorry - I just spent my change on breakfast’
At this point, the green man rescued me and I dashed across the road.
For the next few days, I wore my iPod to avoid having to talk to her. Metal makes me scowl and/or dance about like an idiot anyway, so she didn’t bother with me. At least, I don’t think she did, I couldn’t really hear anything.
The next week, I stopped in at the cafe to grab breakfast and at the chemist to buy chapstick - winter wreaks havoc on my lips. I spotted her as I came out of the chemist and fumbled around in my bag for my iPod. Fuck. No battery. Shit.
I stood at the lights and hoped for the best.
“Buy the Big Issue?”
–’No thanks, I don’t have cash on me.’
“So go take some out - you had enough for food”
My jaw dropped. This woman honestly expected me to go to an ATM, take money out, and buy an overpriced magazine from her, all because i had enough to buy myself breakfast. I told her that I thought she was incredibly rude, and went about my day.
I’ve noticed her doing the same thing to others.
Last week, an elderly couple - canadian tourists - walked past her, talking to each other and looking up at the construction diagonally opposite.
“Buy the Big Issue?”
*no response*
“BUY THE BIG ISSUE?”
*couple continues talking to each other and pointing at the construction*.
At this point, tapped the man on his shoulder and prompted him, again, to buy the big issue.
I don’t know about you, but I find that to be completely unacceptable. It’s one thing to demand that people find an ATM and give you money for an overpriced, shitty magazine, just so you don’t have to get off your arse and find a real job, but it’s another to actually touch someone.
So, I’m pretty appalled. And I hate you.
Hate hate. I don’t like the sound of that woman at all, but hate’s still a bit strong.
Some people aren’t worth… Well, much at all, really.
Wow.
I saw that woman doing the same thing today (tapping on someone’s shoulder and harrassing them). I sort of raised my eyebrow, but didn’t think about it again until now.
Perhaps it’s worth reporting this matter to the publisher. Although the money does go to benefit the disadvantaged and homeless, surely her conduct is having a negative long term impact on sales by destroying public goodwill.
Its strange but she’s too lazy to find an occupation other than something that takes really no skills - other than the people skills but if she’s on probation she won’t pass on those alone - but she puts effort into selling the magazine, or trying to pressure people into buying it.
Here’s a thought, put your effort elsewhere lady, I mean, the streets are littered with enough fucking idiots pawning their wares through flyers, or trying to sign you up to Greenpeace or whatever fucking panda we’re trying to save today. FUCK THAT! fuck the fuck off and stop annoying me, when I’m walking I’m looking around at how beautiful Brisbane is, and I’m thinking, I’m sorting out a grocery list, I’m thinking about the phone bill, I’m wondering why there are so many dirty looking skank ass Ibis’s in the city. I don’t need another foul smelling, pushy loud mouthed cunt trying to make me buy their shit. You should say, yes I can afford food, it’s called ambition, and if your gene’s weren’t defective you would probably have some. Actually print this out and ask her if she wants to trade my shitty writing for hers.
Hrmm. I’m going to leave that comment there, even if it does link to monstercocks.com