This is a very common fundraising tactic for all sorts of organizations — and it’s usually in their script that they don’t say that they’re seeking donations right off the bat, but ask for “a few minutes of your time” or “to talk.” It sounds like they were going a bit late into the evening, but other than that nothing about this really strikes me as sketchy. If you don’t want this to happen again, you can hang up a “no solicitors” sign or something similar on your front door. Might be worth keeping an open mind about this an an aspect of city living though—I’ve had some great conversations with various orgs that have come to my door to talk about things that I care about in the community!

Feels they could have brokered some sort of compromise, like ending events earlier, and or putting up more sound barriers.

This is a travesty

Not in Cambridge, but there are courts in assembly too

Playtimescheduler.com

There's a court in the roof garden at the Green Garage in Kendall Square.

I walk by people playing at the CRLS tennis courts all the time

I think leading off with donation talk gets shut down easily, but they came too late it sounds like and there’s probably a better line opener than what they used

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Thank you.

I mean, can’t OP just also say their current way is sketchy, without having to provide “constructive ways for them to raise money” - that sounds like a “them” problem. /u/cherry-popsicle doesn’t owe them anything just because their current tactics are bad

WGBH does not strike me as a particularly sophisticated marketing organization. I am no expert in door to door sales, but you could very well be right

Yes, how about stopping by during the day and leading with something along the lines of “Hi, I’m so-and-so from WGBH and I’m talking to people in the neighborhood about supporting public radio. Would you have a couple minutes to chat?” Much less creepy.

They are trying to fund operations. Public radio is far from lucrative, as evidenced by that decade tenured host that left to join the circus. This is one of a long line of marketing efforts. Do you have any constructive ideas how WGBH can better raise money?

Thanks, any suggestions for basic haircutting places?

Another vote for Revela. They are great, plus a large space with few people so you'll be spread out and not close to anyone else but your masked stylist.

9zaab on cambridge st is my new go-to for thai food

Seconding Volo, seeing the same people every week is ideal for making new friends. There’s also a FB group “Make Friends After College” that hosts open events weekly

And nobody would question it either…until the mouthpiece makes a fool of themselves…which then leads to more questions

Yeah, though I'm not sure they would require other customers to wear masks based on their signs outside

Bike lanes are literally not a nuisance to anybody except dumb fucks who are trump level boomer apes

Rot in the nursing home bitch

Second judy jetson! Staff and clients all are required to mask

A second vote for the precautions at Revela! They’re over between Central and Kendall.

Revela salon takes covid precautions very serious and they do a great job

Judy Jetson on Mass Ave still requires everyone to wear masks!