# Workplace skits - no thanks, I'll take the hot steel pokers in my eyes, please **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 25, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511 "2004-08-25T23:11:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/101 "2004-09-01T01:13:58Z")
I’m wondering what makes this particular state agency think that the public is actually watching them. Just a bit arrogant, no? The public has a life, and it doesn’t involve keeping tabs on what government employees are doing. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/102 "2004-09-01T02:29:08Z")
Does United Way work in the corporate world too? If so, shouldn’t the company donate, not the individual? I too think that a state funded organisation, asking people to donate money to other state funded organisations seems a bit odd, if not backwards. Go for the places most likely to have large amounts of dosh if you want donations? They have tried to incorporate United Way in my work place (a university), however it hasn’t met with great success. My personal feeling was that the director who wanted it here is in more of a financial position to donate, than any of the people he wants to donate. I’m not adverse to buying a $2 United Way pancake for lunch here or there though. ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/103 "2004-12-22T17:30:45Z")
Yes, it _does_ look bad when few people contribute. It makes the place look selfish and uncaring. It’s embarassing, actually. My husband and I give a lot of money and time to many different organizations outside of his workplace, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to resent being asked for a lousy two bucks. Christ Almighty! … I mean, come on. It’s two freaking dollars! No one should get that worked up and resentful over being asked for less money than you’d pay for a breakfast sandwich even if you are giving elsewhere. 99% of people wouldn’t even _miss_ that money. I guess I just don’t understand the resentment and anger this has generated. My first reaction when asked to donate to charity, especially for such a paltry amount, is to reach for my wallet, not to get pissed about it. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/104 "2004-12-22T17:41:55Z")
**sperfur** , sweetie, you realize this thread is several months old, right? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/105 "2004-12-22T17:46:47Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > **sperfur** , sweetie, you realize this thread is several months old, right? And most of us were quite happy to see the back end of it when it died the first time… ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/106 "2004-12-22T17:48:29Z")
Crap - I haven’t posted in so long, I hit the wrong button. You aren’t _asking_ for _two freaking dollars_. You are demanding $50 every year. You’re demanding it from the single mother. You’re demanding it from the guy with six kids. And you’re demanding it from the guy who spends all his money on porn. It doesn’t make a bit of difference, because it is not your business what those people do with their money. They earned it, not you. It is not their _duty_ to give extra to the community because they are public employees. They give extra _every single day_, doing thier jobs understaffed, underfunded, underpaid, and under constant public and political scrutiny. Oh, and I am a state employee myself. So according to your own statements, I am qualified to discuss this with you. ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/107 "2004-12-22T17:50:16Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > **sperfur** , sweetie, you realize this thread is several months old, right? Where in god’s name did I get this link, then? :smack: Sorry. So very very sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511/108 "2004-12-22T18:04:35Z")
I’m just going to be repeating what other people have said, I think, but goddmanit, I have to agree. Don’t poke me with your stupid demands for charities at work! Depending on what you pay me, I only have a certain amount of $$$ that I deliberately put aside for charity. Well, goddamnit, I’d like to put the money to charities I like. Local charities, where not only can I go down there and give them the check/cash, but also help out. I work for a charity right now, and I will also tell you - this year one of our Board members gave $100 to the United Way, directing it to our charity. When the check got to us, it was $73!!! Where in the blue FUCK did the extra money go? To pay their expenses! Now we have our own expenses to pay, too, so I’d be surprised if $50 of that actually went to our cause. Not only that, but unless they put fundraising into our reviews, I refuse to give $$$ to the charity I work for. Why? Well I work 50 hours a week there as it is. I go to evening events & weekend events. No arm-twisting is OK. And if they did put it in my review, I would leave. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-skits-no-thanks-ill-take-the-hot-steel-pokers-in-my-eyes-please/261511.md?page=5)