Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh: At your doorstep, in the street, on the phone - it seems there's no escaping the donation guilt trips

"Irish people are known to be generous, so we don't need to be guilted into parting with our money"

"They only ever knock (loudly) when the dinner is nearly made, or when the baby has finally settled. Sometimes they'll ring the bell too, just in case."

"Before you know it, you're bullied into a conversation with a smiling, lanyard-wearing individual wanting "just" a small monthly donation for their cause, or trying to convince you to switch gas providers."

Irish people are known for their generosity and do not need to be guilted into giving money. Doorstep visitors tend to arrive at awkward times, such as when dinner is nearly ready or when a baby has settled, and sometimes they ring the bell as well. These callers often engage residents in pressured conversations designed to secure small monthly donations or persuade people to switch utility providers. The visitors commonly wear lanyards and present a friendly demeanor while making their requests, which can feel like bullying of hospitable households.

Read at Independent