For the past couple of weeks I have been helping our Parent Advisory Council solicit donations from local businesses to support our annual silent auction. And what I have seen has been both uplifting and disheartening. Even in these tougher economic times it has been wonderful to see businesses donate to a local school. It shows just how invested they are in their community and I really appreciate that. And to show my appreciation, I will certainly be frequently those businesses who have given to us.
On the other hand, it's disheartening to be given the run-around by...adults...people who should know how to engage another human-being. In my opinion, a polite no is soooooo much better than being brushed off. Honestly, "the brush off" leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth for the people who are working and businesses they represent.
To be fair, let me say that I understand that businesses get hit up for donations all the time by everyone and I realize that it is truly impossible to give to everyone who asks for help. However, in this day and age of texting and non-face-to-face contact I have to stress that when you're actually talking to someone, manners and politeness still rein supreme for me. I'm fine with "no". It's rudeness that I can't take.
So what's the point of this little rant?
It's simply to remind people that we are all connected, whether you realize it or not. Now, I'm not trying to shake my finger at anyone, but I hope that after reading this it will stay tucked in the back of your mind that we keep each other afloat. By investing our time and energy and goods into each other we inspire other people to do the same. And in these times when a dollar doesn't buy you anywhere near what it used to, I want to remember to take my dollars to the people that give back to their community because I want them to stay afloat.
On the other hand, it's disheartening to be given the run-around by...adults...people who should know how to engage another human-being. In my opinion, a polite no is soooooo much better than being brushed off. Honestly, "the brush off" leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth for the people who are working and businesses they represent.
To be fair, let me say that I understand that businesses get hit up for donations all the time by everyone and I realize that it is truly impossible to give to everyone who asks for help. However, in this day and age of texting and non-face-to-face contact I have to stress that when you're actually talking to someone, manners and politeness still rein supreme for me. I'm fine with "no". It's rudeness that I can't take.
So what's the point of this little rant?
It's simply to remind people that we are all connected, whether you realize it or not. Now, I'm not trying to shake my finger at anyone, but I hope that after reading this it will stay tucked in the back of your mind that we keep each other afloat. By investing our time and energy and goods into each other we inspire other people to do the same. And in these times when a dollar doesn't buy you anywhere near what it used to, I want to remember to take my dollars to the people that give back to their community because I want them to stay afloat.
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