I would probably have passed on the candle, but if I'm the manager/owner of a restaurant I would want someone to tell me if another person is conducting business in my establishment.

Oldramble, I had something similar to this happen to me once, with a dramatically different outcome. Though my work, I have found that many people begging for money only use that money for drugs and alcohol, so I refuse to give cash only to people. But, I am not against helping people. Once I saw a man standing on the side of the road with a sign that said, " I am hungry, I will work for food". So, I went to a local drive threw and bought a generous portion of food and took it to the man. He became irate and threw the food at me and said, "I want money not food". I have never given stuff to people asking for money or food again.

 

But, again, I will buy stuff off of them, no matter if I want the product or not.

:thumb:That is one reason why I told the story in that he bought the man some sandwiches/food instead of just giving him money for food, that is when I question/am afraid they just may go buy booze with it.

Were the candles new or used?

I would have bought the doggone thing. I would never have gotten the management unless it was something way over the top. "But for the grace of God", especially in these times. Many Americans are one pay check away from selling candles.....

 

Good post and you are exactly right on the bolded.

I guess my answer is based on the product. If we liked the candles, I'd buy one or two. If we didn't like them, well we'd pass politely. I can't fault a man for being able to try and make some money, besides, isn't this a free country?

I might ignore they guy, but my wife would almost certainly buy the candle.

Was he selling them as a means to eat or was it some school fund raiser to buy pompoms or something similar.

Really depend if I would have the extra cash on me. Then I would buy the candle, but if I didn't have any money I would say no thanks.

I guess a lot goes into what the situation was? Homeless, fundraiser, etc....

 

I would have almost definitely bought one had I had the cash on me. I don't mind helping out if I've got it.

I would tell the manager to ask the guy to leave. You dont meander around someone else's place of business trying to make a quick buck for yourself. Standing outside the establishment and trying to sell would be O.K. by me. But I dont want a door to door salesman (or in this case, a table to table salesman) bothering me while im trying to have a nice dinner with my family. But hey, that's just me.

I don't have a wife, so if I was on a hot date with a new lady I would probably buy the candle to make an impression. I would be cursing though, in my mind. You have to hate when things like that happen.

Oldramble, I had something similar to this happen to me once, with a dramatically different outcome. Though my work, I have found that many people begging for money only use that money for drugs and alcohol, so I refuse to give cash only to people. But, I am not against helping people. Once I saw a man standing on the side of the road with a sign that said, " I am hungry, I will work for food". So, I went to a local drive threw and bought a generous portion of food and took it to the man. He became irate and threw the food at me and said, "I want money not food". I have never given stuff to people asking for money or food again.

 

But, again, I will buy stuff off of them, no matter if I want the product or not.

 

 

I have to agree here. I do a lot of work with the homeless. I learned early to NEVER give out cash. Our agency buys gift certificates to local fast food restaurants to give out on special occasions. Cash almost always goes for cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. We even had a couple of our clients selling their inhalers (which they got from us for free) to buy alcohol.

 

I think it is wrong to sell to customers sitting in a restaurant and would not buy. The owner was right to kick him out. No one wants their customers harassed. However, if he was on the corner selling them, I might.

I would have given them money and told them to keep the candle....that way the family could maybe make a little more money.

 

Now, I would have gone a step futher....I would have been observing the situation and trying to find out what was going on. Is the child hungry? Do they have a place to live? Are they doing this for the child's school? Does the child seem nervous? Do I see any signs of abuse...IE bruises, pulling away, not making eye contact, etc.

If I thought that it was for school, I would just leave it alone and let them do what they are doing. If I thought the child was safe, that this was just another way to raise money, I would leave it alone. If I thought the child was abused, I would get involved. Of course, I am they type of person to just come out and ask. Communication is the best way to find out what is going on....and, I am they type of person who likes to find out what is going on! LOL

Selling candles, I would have bought one, no questions asked.

 

But, I do not just give money to people. I would buy something from them though. "Give a man a fish, and feed him for the day. Teach a man to fish, and feed him for a life time".

 

I thought it was "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you get rid of him every weekend."

 

On a serious note. I would have bought a candle. Granted, their motive may not have been right, but it's just a candle, and I am a sucker for children selling things.

I thought it was "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you get rid of him every weekend."

:lol: Wife quote.