Thank god they're only around for a short time each year.
Over on this side of the globe at Christmas time we have people outside the stores collecting change for the Salvation Army. Invariably this consists of someone with a red kettle on a tripod, wearing the Salvation Army vest and clattering a brass bell. You can hear the fuckers from a quarter mile away over the noise of traffic. I generally refer to them as the Hell's Bells.

Once I came out of a local store and found one of these people set up outside, but instead of a bell he had a trumpet with a mute and was gently playing carols. I stepped close behind him and said "Thank you for not ringing a damn bell" and made sure he saw the $10 bill I stuck in the kettle. He faltered for a moment, then played with renewed vigor.

Only time I've ever donated to one of them.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Sat 29 May 2010, 4:35, Reply)