Students passing out fliers should do so politely

A recent trip down Bruin Walk has taught me a lot about myself. For example, I don’t want to save lives, I hate small children in third-world countries, and I don’t care enough about saving our polluted environment. And have I mentioned that I’m going to hell?

At least, that’s what some of the students and volunteers in the various student groups and other organizations tell me when I decline a flier or say, “No, thanks,” when I am handed a clipboard.

Bruin Walk has always been the place to collect dozens ofmulti-colored pieces of paper, but some people passing out the fliers use aggressive promotion. Unfortunately, this in-your-face style is rude, and it gives students every reason to avoid the path and the important causes that are out there.

It might not change overnight, but a less abrasive tone may give the passing students a stronger incentive to read what the flier and the person holding it have to say.

I’m sure that the people who use this tactic are not being blunt on purpose.

I have a fairly good sense of humor, and can usually smile apologetically when someone gives me the puppy dog pout or moans in mock anguish when I wave off a flier.

Perhaps the person meant to say jokingly, “Are you sure you don’t want to come?” but they were having a bad day and instead said, “Oh, so you’d rather get drunk on Thursday than support a good cause?” However, having a bad day doesn’t justify the attitude.

I know that working on Bruin Walk is tough. I passed out fliers last year, and I have to admit that those first few occasions when someone pushes past you as though you’re invisible feels pretty embarrassing. But it isn’t personal, and it shouldn’t affect the way you present your group’s events and information. Although you believe you devised a clever way to get your message across, you are casting a negative light on your organization.

Alesha Unpingco, a third-year English student, works at Project Literacy, a tutoring group on campus. She said she has noticed this aggression from other promoters.

“Some make a big deal if you choose not to pick up a flier from them, and make you feel uncomfortable if you pick one up from another organization,” Unpingco said. “Some make you feel like what you’re already doing is inadequate and that if you don’t join their program you won’t succeed. I don’t think that this is the right way to promote events.”

And that’s what the problem is. When I see or hear about something like that, it makes me walk faster to avoid the same sort of assault. The last thing I’m going to do is donate to someone who just called the person in front of me “cheap” because they didn’t have a dollar to spare after lunch.

Some students, such as Jaclyn Avila, a second-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student, said people on Bruin Walk have tried similar, not-so-subtle attempts to get her attention.

“My hands were both full with my things, but they would keep trying to hand me fliers. I would say “˜No, thank you,’ but they would just stuff them into my books anyway,” Avila said.

And while the message was handed out, the rudeness that came with it couldn’t make it stick.

“It made me mad; I felt like they went too far,” Avila said. “I just threw everything away later because I didn’t want to be a part of that organization after that. I don’t feel bad about telling them “˜no’ when they’re that aggressive.”

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be passionate about what you believe in, or that everyone on Bruin Walk should take an etiquette class and be all smiles, all the time. I’m only suggesting that you get people interested in your group by leaving the aggravating sarcasm at home.

“It definitely takes a positive attitude to work on Bruin Walk,” Unpingco said. “I always maintain a consistently upbeat attitude. Find some creative way to get them to listen, and then you’ll be able to convince them why they should come out to whatever you’re promoting. If they still deny me, I just wish them a great day. People respect that, and they don’t leave with a negative impression on your program.”

While I remember each time I was accused of not caring about different issues, I don’t remember feeling upset when I was treated nicely by someone after I declined a flier. It even makes me double-check the name of the group, just so I can tell others who try to avoid them that they’re not that bad.

Promoting clubs and events on Bruin Walk would be more effective if those who are currently too up-front were more open and approachable, and if they didn’t write off uninterested or busy students as immoral.

If you’re annoyed with Bruin Walk aggression, then e-mail Louth at klouth@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.

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