world aids day

This afternoon everyone left school to go hand out ribbons and ask for money. I knew just about two useful german phrases: "Today is World AIDS Day" and "Would you like a ribbon?"
I could combine the two into a very convincing sales pitch.

"Today is World AIDS Day. Would you like a ribbon? Please? For World AIDS Day? AIDS? Ribbon? Would you like? People have AIDS! Would you like a ribbon?"

Imagine me standing on a street in Bern, saying all of this in German to very busy and slightly hostile passers-by.
It was super.

Then we (David and Shiraz and I) went into Starbucks and started asking for money there. That worked well for three reasons:

1. People at Starbucks have time on their hands (whereas it seems like everyone on the street has a tram to catch. They probably do.)
2. People at Starbucks have money (or what are they doing there?)
3. People at Starbucks are morally superior people.

They wouldn't even let us loiter at McDonalds, but the woman at Starbucks was saying yes before David even finished asking permission.
Also, we developed targets:

1. Families, because they tend to want to teach their children the virtues of charity
2. Young couples, because the boyfriends often try to impress the girlfriends
3. Middle school aged boys, because (for reasons completely unknown) they're especially receptive to our requests.
   

Anyway, everyone should think a little bit about AIDS today and maybe also donate some money. And next time you see people asking for money for a charity on the street, give them something. We really don't care what. We just want to feel less-hated.

Love always,
Clara