As on many days I walk to work, I was addressed today by someone with a branded vest and clipboard.
Here in deep-blue MA, they're always looking for money for UNICEF or Planned Parenthood or the Nature Conservancy or the ACLU or HRC or etc. (I assume the Operation Rescue and Focus on the Family clipboard brigade work other beats.) I generally support the organizations here (sometimes literally, with monthly donations set up) but I do not approve of the canvassing itself. I think it does for genuine, in-person human interaction what spam and telemarketing have done for email and the phone. Someone says "Excuse me" to me in public and I am conditioned to expect to be asked for money.
And this used to bother me a lot MORE until I realized that I do not have to respond. I can just keep walking. It's not rude because this is not actually a social interaction. I decided a long time ago that anyone can ask me anything, but whether and how I respond is my business. (1/2)