Heute Morgen stand ich vor Apple am Rennweg und schrieb SMS, als ein Mann auf mich zukam. Wie immer ignorierte ich ihn zunächst. Er stand vielleicht fünf Sekunden da, bevor ich mich umdrehte und merkte, dass er lediglich versuchte, ein Surprise-Magazin zu verkaufen. Ich sagte schnell: „Es tut mir leid, ich habe nichts.“
Er überquerte die Straße und ging auf andere zu – alle in Anzügen, eilig zur Arbeit, gefangen in ihren eigenen Welten. Einer nach dem anderen ignorierte ihn. Ich stand dort vor Apple, in warmer Kleidung, mit einer Wohnung, einem Job in einem Büro und gerade dabei, mir Kopfhörer zu kaufen … und doch hatte ich gerade einem Mann, der in der Kälte stand und einfache Kleidung trug, gesagt, dass ich es mir nicht leisten könne, ihm 8 Franken zu geben – von denen er nur 4 behält.
Und ich dachte mir: Was ist aus mir geworden? Er hat es viel schwerer und die meisten von uns halten so viel für selbstverständlich.
Deshalb möchte ich an andere appellieren: Wenn das nächste Mal so jemand auf Sie zukommt, ignorieren Sie ihn bitte nicht einfach. Denken Sie daran – Sie geben wahrscheinlich mehr für einen Kaffee aus als für diese Zeitschrift. Auch wenn Sie keinen kaufen können, schauen Sie ihm in die Augen, sagen Sie „Hallo“ und entschuldigen Sie sich freundlich. Sie sind auch Menschen, die nur versuchen, durchzukommen.
(Und ja – sie akzeptieren auch Twint.)
https://i.redd.it/h7i402tclutf1.jpeg
Von willisandwillis
22 Kommentare
Bro lmao
[deleted]
So you just got scammed, hope this helps<3
Had the same situation at IKEA recently. A very friendly looking woman was selling Surprise at the exit and I almost walked by her with over 400.– of new furniture and decorations. I had to turn around and buy a magazine from her.
Apart from that, I never ignore anyone (except maybe the Romanian gang beggars), it’s basic human decency to at least look someone in the eyes (because we are all humans and deserve a minimum of respect, and if it’s nothing but eye contact) and kindly inform them that I do not currently have cash on me (which I never do).
Great introspection! Thank you.
Cool thank you.
Surprise sellers are usually very friendly and not pushy.
First of all, don’t give money. There are institutions to help. If you want to help, buy them food if they really need. Mostly also not. Most of the times, being homeless is a choice. Check on documentaries, check on psychologists and stop overthinking. Homelessness was a common thing in my country of origin. This is their choice most of the times. People in a real need act in a different way.
Edit: this is what I assume at least, maybe that’s another case. Still, lmao as someone previously said. I have another opinion on this magazine. I will happily get all your downvotes. What a coincidence none of you want to discuss the case.
Good for you (not sarcasm) for recognising how you initially were. Kindness actually does cost nothing. I see every day the same man selling surprise outside my local supermarket. We say hello/goodbye every time.
You never know how or why people fall on harder times. It could happen to any of us. There is no need for rudeness, just treat people nicely
You are the problem
This is what the world needs. Compassion, empathy. Thank you for this post!
Are you serious, or just kinda joking 😳
I don’t understand how this is even a thing. Does anybody actually care what the magazine writes? Does anybody read it‘ I have and will never buy it, just because I want to support the people selling it. I think the „Job“ is outdated and should be abolished. There are more efficient ways to help people with the feeling of a real job than to let them stand outside a public place and try to sell a magazine, which people only buy out of pity.
I don’t want a magazine that I will just throw away. I also don’t want to give money to people on the streets, because it just attracts more people asking for it. Happy to pay my taxes so that the country can help these people though. I don’t think it has to do with being rude. They are selling something I don’t want and didn’t ask for, and put it in my face. I’m not supporting that.
But why? Like why do I even need to poison my mind with this „magazine“? I get your empathy, next time just give him those 4 francs and keep your mind clean.
Oftentimes there are some pretty interesting articles in there
I actually gave him 16 because he gets to keep the difference
If i Have cash I always give it to them, mostly ten bucks but I dont what the magazine
A friend of mine works at the Surprise headquarters and he can tell stories, you wouldn’t believe: The stuff these sellers went through in life is crazy and I find it very impressive that they try to get back in life by doing something (selling magazines) instead of just begging.
If you want to read more, please go here: https://surprise.ngo/verkaeuferin-werden/
I came from country where a lot of homeless, many of them because of alcohol part of them in homeless/gypsy mafia.
Here situation is really different, near our local coop sits guy who sell this magazine he usually very friendly and we always great esch other. Till this moment I always declined to buy that – I didn’t knew what is that magazine about and I don’t need more paper waste, as we have already a lot of.
Google provided such answer:
Surprise magazine most commonly refers to a Swiss street magazine published by the Surprise association to provide employment and social support for people marginalized by poverty. Vendors purchase copies of the magazine at a low cost and sell them at full price on the street, with the profit going directly to them. Surprise also runs other social programs, including social city tours and a café.
But still question arises, what is the benefit in trying selling something people don’t need? Maybe instead of wasting money on printing magazine, that money could directly help?
Many of us contribute to such organisations like red cross, the Salvation Army, …, they try to help them?
What about local law, are homeless protected somehow? And is it possible to be homeless being swiss and not a foreigner?
Since I‘m using mostly card or TWINT, I‘ve never bought a suprise again…
Thank you for respecting your fellow humans. That is too much to ask for some people these days.