Do You Sign Petitions?

[Zinjanthropos]

Confronted this afternoon by a petitioner. Asked me to sign something that personally didn’t affect me directly. Something to do with a developer putting in a walkway for residents to access the Niagara River Parkway Path. New subdivision going in behind me and the developer had the local govt approve the walkway as a condition for permit. Of course it will run by some guy’s residence and that’s what the petition is for, to not build it claiming his privacy is being infringed upon.

That’s what I find about petitions, there’s usually a selfish reason for it. This petition listed so many things wrong with it, everything from invasion of privacy to the walkway’s stones getting on the nearby street somehow. I just told the guy its my policy to never sign petitions and always remain neutral. It was bullshit but the guy lives close and I don’t need trouble from him and all those who did sign it. Somebody, either way, is going to be pissed. I’d sign something like petitioning for a list of sexual predators in the neighborhood but not something one person needs to benefit himself.

[C C]

Somehow I've magically avoided encounters with neighborhood petitions, even back in times when literally surrounded by environs that could qualify as communities of modest density. With respect to other kinds, though -- I have to confess that I'd occasionally sign items passed around by work colleagues when an _X_ was actually needed or the fixation seemed like powder-puff stuff of little consequence. But if a team of mules was pulling a big mortar through the hallways, I'd tactfully make myself as tied-up, scarce, or obscured in a happenstance flock of bizzy bodies as possible ahead of its stop.

[Zinjanthropos]

Somehow I've magically avoided encounters with neighborhood petitions, even back in times when literally surrounded by environs that could qualify as communities of modest density. With respect to other kinds, though -- I have to confess that I'd occasionally sign items passed around by work colleagues when an _X_ was actually needed or the fixation seemed like powder-puff stuff of little consequence. But if a team of mules was pulling a big mortar through the hallways, I'd tactfully make myself as tied-up, scarce, or obscured in a happenstance flock of bizzy bodies as possible ahead of its stop.

What I don’t like about petitions is the assumption people make if you don’t sign it. I may be neutral but by not signing I am deemed to be against it. I could also be seen as trying to gain favour from anyone a petition may be against. Neutrality is a stance where it appears you can’t win.

I‘ve been to front doors that have signage indicating ‘no petitions please’ and that may be one way to handle it. However encountering a petition at some retail outlet or having one thrust in your face by some street lobbyist can catch you off guard. I usually ask the petitioner if they ever missed voting in a democratic election they were eligible for. Odds are great that they have plus they’re usually taken aback by your question. Then it’s just a simple eyebrow raise and smirk....see you later.

[Syne]

I just ignore all solicitors, whether petitions, trying to sell me something, asking for donations. If I want to take political action, buy some item or service, or donate to charity, I will be proactive myself. Everything else seems to be either sheep, going along with whatever comes their way, or the weak-willed, folding to sales/social pressure. A simple "not interested" or "no thanks" before they even get through their spiel usually works.