Solicitor Excuses

There’s something about the state of New York that makes solicitors particularly obnoxious. Having a humble No soliciting sign on the door is as effective as not having one at all. They simply invite themselves in and totally violate this now-conventional request to leave people alone.

At one point I got really mad at arrogant solicitors and made a large sign, Absolutely NO soliciting! It somewhat does its job because I normally observe a three-second pause before someone looks from around the corner with a yet another offering of a radio-controlled replica of a monster truck or a toaster.

It’s amazing they walk past two signs (!) and yet try to pity us into their scam with some catch phrase. My favorite ones are:

1. “But, brother…!”—“No!”
2. “I saw the sign but still wanted to give a try.”—“Go away!”
3. “We were in the neighborhood, and figured since we’re here…”—“No!”

I’d love to hear what else they come up with. Anyone?