Letters: Bunny lovers pounce on shoppers

I would like to bring to your attention an annoyance I experienced which affects many people as well.
These WWF and Green Peace harassers that crowd the entrance to various Ballito malls.
The words “no” and “no thank you” seem to be lost on them. Surely it damages the brand reputation and should be an issue for centre management that these people are disrupting the flow of traffic and using vulgar people shaming approaches on unsuspecting mall patrons?
When entering a mall I am trying to work out quickly what I need, where I am in relation to the store I am visiting, and checking my pocket belongings….wallet…. cellphone..keys.
It was while in this train of thought that some over eager chap jumped in front of me and demanded to know my name while attempting to obstruct and re-direct my path to his grouping of like minded cohorts gathered gleefully around their big banner and table of phamplets.
Taken by surprise I mumble my name but quickly realise the entrapment and say politely “no thank you.” Oh no no no … the eager nature lover was having none of it. “Wait, wait you absolutely have to hear about…” at which point I cut him off a little more firmly with a solid “NO” with a stop hand motion and then another polite “No thank you!” I then proceeded with a very solid step off around him, moving off in my original direction.
Still the hopping little bunny lover bounces behind me now talking in a louder octave about how important it is that I return with him to the table.
It was his final very loud “Don’t you care!” practically yelled at me that really annoyed me. As if to try shame me in front of the rest of my mall patron peers…. who I noticed had scurried around me using the no eye-contact and walk around the entrapped one technique to avoid the tree hugger gang.
That was the irritation. I did not come to the mall to deal with that! Especially when I hadn’t even started shopping yet.
Hopefully centre management gets rid of these harassers from entrance ways or moves them into a pop up shop, but I doubt it. WWF and Green Peace logos will no longer hold the same meaning for me… in fact I will now actively avoid anything to do with them. I will also tell my story so others become wary of them.
My best advice when promoting charity driven organisations – Don’t try trap or harass people.
They are welcome to put up their signs and stand passively out of people’s way. If a mall patron is interested have a big sign that says “come talk to us to find out more.” Make it our choice. Don’t throw this negativity on the brand / cause. And surely mall centre management doesn’t want this negativity as the first impression people have of their establishment.
Thank you, it was cathartic putting this down in writing and telling someone with a voice for the rest of the public.
Sincerely,
DARRYL GRIFFITH
Ballito
Letter shortened.