Girl Scout Cookies and Other Woes

It's that time of year again.   Makes me almost want to go into hiding.   Every year about this time I am harassed by some kid's parent who is selling stuff I don't need or want. Right now it's Girl Scout Cookies, but in a few minutes it'll be wrapping paper -or- chocolate bars -or- those caramel Turtle things -or- some tchotchke to benefit the school band -or-  well, you get the point.   Maybe if I had kids I'd see this through a different lens, but I don't so... .   I really just want to be left alone.


But, ya know, there's no way out of this without seeming like a grumpy old b&*^%.  There's no explanation I can give for not wanting to buy whatever your kid is selling because, of course, it's helping some super-important cause and how could I refuse?  Not wanting what is being sold apparently isn't a good enough reason.  And it's only a few dollars; I won't even miss it, right?  

This time that old adage really is true, though:   it's not the money, it is the principle.  I don't want what you're selling.  And I don't want it repeatedly because everybody with a kid is selling something. (And why is the parent selling it anyway?  Isn't this supposed to be some kind of teachable moment for the kid?  What are you doing?)  

I feel like I'm being robbed. I know a lot of people with kids and I'm being hit up all the time and nobody really cares how I feel about it (said tearfully). 

Lately I've started to put my foot down...kinda.  I really don't want the "stuff", so I just give 'em the money and say --with a smile-- you can keep the cookies/paper/chocolate...whatever it is.  But guess what: some people are offended at that, too.  I can't win...though I kinda do because I just treat it like any random donation, and I don't end up with a bunch of stuff I don't want.  I don't know why I didn't think of this years ago.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way