Puppy-Dog Eyes

They say that telemarketers have one of the worst jobs, because your self-esteem levels plunge when you get constantly rejected.  My friend says (no citation for this fact) that the companies make them play "games" where they have to click on smiley faces to try to raise self-esteem and positive attitude.

Doesn't sound like much fun.

I'm getting my own little taste of telemarketing.  For my history project, we have to fix a global issue.  My group chose malnutrition, so in addition to writing papers and making a presentation, we have to raise money for a charity related to our issue.  So I have to go around school all week, shaking my money collection jar in peoples’ faces and begging them to donate to the malnourished children.

I guess I look sorta like this:

My friends tell me I’d be a good salesperson, because whenever someone asks about it, I can go on and on telling them all the horrifying statistics and how, if they donate just 75 cents, that’s enough money to buy nutrient supplements to increase a child’s lifespan by an entire year.  ( I could go on, but I don't want to scare you away.)

There are plenty of people who are quite generous, and plenty of people who say no.  Most people feel guilty saying “no,” though, so they say something like “I don’t have any money with me.”  Which could be true.  I don’t judge.

It was actually hilarious, though, when I asked one teacher, “would you like to donate some spare change to help malnourished children?”  He simply said “No, thanks” and walked away.  I sorta stood there, a bit shocked, because no one had said “no.”  Everyone just said that they didn’t have money or that they’d already donated to someone else.  I wasn’t offended, I just found it amusing how direct he was.

Also, my group put up flyers to advertise our issue.  Everyone else put their flyers on the designated flyer boards.  We put them everywhere: the backs of Exit signs, on the ceilings, in bathroom stalls.  Why?  Because malnutrition doesn’t follow the rules, either!  (I just made that up, but it sounds good, right?  Mostly, we just wanted to be rebels.)

Over and out.  Oh, and if you want to donate to the malnourished children, I strongly encourage it.  Just send me a blank check and I’ll make sure it’s all in order.  Don't worry about a thing.

(Seriously, though.  If you’re interested, I recommend looking at Helen Keller International, which is the charity we’re supporting.)