Most were not volunteers but salespeople working on commission. There were articles dedicated to avoiding them - dodge eye contact, keep walking, challenge them, never go outside.
On my lunchtime walk to the nearest Marks and Spencer, about 100 metres, I would have to run the gauntlet past at least three. There and back. Every single day. They were relentless, some even following you and pretending you had dropped something to get you to stop. A first-world problem, indeed, but still tiresome when all you want to do is buy a bacon sarnie and bag of crisps.
It got so bad new rules were introduced in the UK two years ago, which meant chuggers couldn't follow a person for more than three steps or stand within 3 metres of a shop doorway, cash machine, pedestrian crossing or Tube station entrance. It's true, London folk really don't like to be bothered.
Luckily, the Rotorua chuggers, who mainly seem to hang out at the Pukuatua-Tutanekai intersection, are nothing like their London counterparts. A polite "no thanks" without breaking stride usually does the trick. Kiwis being friendly folk, I see many non-grizzly people who are happy to stop for a chat if not to actually part with cash. Not me.
If I choose to donate to charity (which I regularly do), I will do it off my own bat.
Charities do an amazing job and, if chuggers can persuade someone to support one who otherwise wouldn't, then that's only a good thing. I only hope the Rotorua chuggers stay so nice and laid back, so that grizzly bear suit can stay in hibernation.