That is: things that really irritate me.

#1 Guilt, in all of its forms. From the subtleties of obligations and expectations to full blown guilt trips.

#2 Rudeness.

#3 Complacency.

One day I may address points #2 and #3, but today I’ll just share the text of two letters I am sending to, of all places, the Humane Society of the US and the SPCA.

Dear <appropriate person who theoretically sent me the money request>,

I am writing to express my extreme displeasure at <the organizations’> recent ‘fleece <gloves or throw>’ fundraising campaign.

I am an animal lover, an owner of cats and now a dog who strongly advocates enacting laws against animal cruelty, puppy mills, and other forms of animal abuse. In short: I am your ideal donor.

However, the profligate waste of resources embodied in the ‘fleece gloves’ fundraiser is staggering. Moreover, it is based on turning a gift into a guilt trip, and I find that appalling. I have donated the item to the local Goodwill.

Times are tough, for both your potential donors as well as the organizations, like yours, that survive on people’s generosity. I honestly believe that guilt-tripping people into donating is a poor tactic – let your organization’s successes and exquisitely low overhead be a shining example of a good place for us to spend our donation dollars.

Perhaps I am a lone voice protesting a fundraising campaign that raised a significantly larger amount of money for HSUS/SPCA. Perhaps you have received nothing but praise from donors for the thoughtful gift.

Nonetheless, you have lost me as a donor, perhaps forever.

At this time, please see that I am removed from your database(s) and do not include me in future mailings. At some point in the future I will review your organization, its financials and its fundraising tactics. At that time I will make a decision as to whether to make a donation.

Yeah, it made me angry. Mostly because they must have spent an enormous amount of money — even if the item is  incredibly cheaply made-in-China-by-slaves and they got a fantastic bulk discount. The mailing costs alone would have been significant. Moreover, they sent them out, ostensibly as a gift, and then followed up with a mailer asking for a donation “because I’m sure you are enjoying <said item>.” So, it’s a waste of money and resources AND a big ole guilt trip.

Grrrrr.