How to say no

[Potatohater]

Does anyone have any good ways of saying no to things?
I keep getting caught up by people on eastern avenue (the main strip of USyd) trying to give me things or get me to sign up to thier club and come to events. Problem is I try and say no but then end up getting sucked into thier rebuttals because I don't have the heart to tell them I don't care about XY & Z, and in the past week have now ended up with a small packet of hand cream, exchanged that that hand cream for a book, recieved text messages from a Christian group when I'm not even religious, and a handful of flyers that went straight into the recycling, not to mention awkwardly wasted a bunch of my time, so yeah, how do I be more of a bitch and say no to these people?

[K888]

It's all in the resting bitch face and a fast-paced walk you just have to say no thanks and keep walking - don't stop. You feel horrible when you start doing it but you get used to it! Practice makes perfect.

[EEEEEEP]

Does anyone have any good ways of saying no to things?
I keep getting caught up by people on eastern avenue (the main strip of USyd) trying to give me things or get me to sign up to thier club and come to events. Problem is I try and say no but then end up getting sucked into thier rebuttals because I don't have the heart to tell them I don't care about XY & Z, and in the past week have now ended up with a small packet of hand cream, exchanged that that hand cream for a book, recieved text messages from a Christian group when I'm not even religious, and a handful of flyers that went straight into the recycling, not to mention awkwardly wasted a bunch of my time, so yeah, how do I be more of a bitch and say no to these people?

Just say no thanks and then walk past?

Protip: Pretend that you're on your phone if you walk past them or near them (they won't dare)

[jazzycab]

Does anyone have any good ways of saying no to things?
I keep getting caught up by people on eastern avenue (the main strip of USyd) trying to give me things or get me to sign up to thier club and come to events. Problem is I try and say no but then end up getting sucked into thier rebuttals because I don't have the heart to tell them I don't care about XY & Z, and in the past week have now ended up with a small packet of hand cream, exchanged that that hand cream for a book, recieved text messages from a Christian group when I'm not even religious, and a handful of flyers that went straight into the recycling, not to mention awkwardly wasted a bunch of my time, so yeah, how do I be more of a bitch and say no to these people?

No hablo Ingles

[Razeen25]

A slight shaking of head and a smile to make sure it isn’t rude. Okay typing that out sounds weird lmao but that’s what I do when walking past those people smh

[appleandbee]

I used to be like this, but it took me a few unpleasant/ awkward with a few religious groups (was also sucked into providing my number) for me to say no haha

I just walk past and if I get pestered I say 'no thank you'.

[jamonwindeyer]

You'd be surprised how much less you get approached if you pop on a really big and obvious set of headphones

[K888]

You'd be surprised how much less you get approached if you pop on a really big and obvious set of headphones

For this I recommend the Bose QC25s
@Joseph

[elysepopplewell]

Somewhat ashamed to say this, but in the part of the Central Station tunnel from the Goods Line where there are allllwaaays people stopping to talk, and my train only comes every half hour so you best believe I'm making a bee line. I pull up my phone before I get there and hold it up to my ear and actually talk into it, with no one listening to me. There is no one on the phone.

Sometimes I just say "I'm so sorry I'm in a rush, but I'll look at your facebook page!" while I'm walking. but the trick is to NEVER STOP WALKING. Do not stop. They'll shake your hand. You'll be stuck. Always move!

(Disclaimer: It sounds like you're talking about people on campus. No one on campus has ever, ever, tried to talk to me about their club or whatever. So this is more for the charity people. I'm a bad person)

[Shadowxo]

Pretty much what everyone else has said: Keep your eyes in front, keep walking, say a polite "no thanks" and ignore them. Most important thing is not to stop walking. Try to avoid eye contact, it shows you're not interested and they should find someone else.
Once you make eye contact and you start talking, you're trapped. If you do get into that situation though, just say "I have to go sorry", preferably after they've finished their sentence, and just walk off. You can word this a bit more politely if you like, but ultimately they can't keep you there and you have the freedom to leave

[K888]

Don't know if it's already been said but avoid eye contact as well (eyes to the ground) - don't engage at all haha. And keep your hands in your pockets so they can't hand you stuff.

[Potatohater]

Thanks guys, I shall definitely try some of these new tactics this week, it seems like they'll work much better than saying no thanks and getting sucked in anyway

[heids]

Also remember that they're used to and expect most people to just walk past and say no, and have dealt with thousands of people doing so.  You won't hurt any feelings: they're the ones trying to manipulate you into feeling guilty and obliged.  I just say a very firm decisive "not interested thank you", don't let them near my hands, and keep walking.  It's about being decisive rather than even thinking for half a second that you might stop for anything they say or do.

You can donate money to charities online free from emotional manipulation, which will let you make a more useful and balanced choice.  Saying no doesn't mean you're a horrible person.