Easy target

My sister called the other day and asked what I was doing. I grumbled that I was busy doing an EFT for five hundred and fifty ront to Lifeline for gift wrapping and greeting cards. But, she says, you don't like gift wrap and you don't use greeting cards. "I KNOW!!!" I replied, "but the woman on the phone told me they depend on people like me". She said that I might as well have 'easy target' tattooed on my forehead. I am SO bad at saying no. But it's so hard when people ask for help!

This was the phone call:

*Ring ring*
Me = Hello
Lady on phone = Hi Ms Albertyn, thank you so much for your generosity last year, may we rely on your generosity again this year? (similar thing happened last year. Previous gift set still in cupboard, unused)
Me = Well, I am currently supporting Meals on Wheels and other charities so I...
Lady on phone = Thank you Mrs Albertyn, we rely on people like you to support us. May I put you down for two gift packs
Me = Um, well, I think I..
Lady on phone = Thank you Mrs Albertyn, have a wonderful day
Phone goes dead

Next thing I get two (really ugly) gift wrapping and greeting card sets in the post. With an invoice. For R550. Which I paid of course, because what if I don't pay and then someone needs help and because they have no money there is no one manning the phones and then the person who needs help dies because I was too stingy to buy two really ugly gift wrapping sets. I can't risk someone dying. So instead I am R550 poorer and two ugly gift sets richer.

My sister said she is going to phone Lifeline twice and say "Hi, my sister bought two of your gift sets, so I would like to have two turns to chat about my issues". And then my sister called me a rude word that starts with arse and ends in hole.

So if you ever need help, call Lifeline. They have the funds for at least two conversations. If my sister hasn't used up those turns by now.

PS friends and family - please note you will be getting lovely wrapped gifts this year with pyramids and lions on the wrapping.

Comments

[BiancaW]

I know the feeling! I am also an "easy target".

[Kristen in CO, USA]

Hahahaha - this is hilarious! I can picture both conversations; I am particularly fond of how you describe your sister's name calling. Thanks for brightening my day.