It is only proper to pay the entire suggested donation at a street fair or festival?

Question

I recently visited a street fair in Chicago where the suggested donation was $10 (for the privilege to walk up and down a closed off street with shops, food stands, and a live band). We paid the full suggestion, but I think it was a little ridiculous. A couple weeks ago at another fest where the donation was $5, a person in front of me wanted to donate less but the people at the entrance would not let the person in until they paid the full donation (they basically guilt-tripped the guy into paying in full and wouldn't let him pass until he did so). What is protocol for this type of thing?

Answer 1

I have worked the front gate at such events. I have said "thank you" to whatever the person contributes, if anything.

It is important to realize that all people are not well off to the same degree.

It is also important to have people realize that if not enough people contribute, the street fair won't be there next year. People contribute in a lot of ways other than just financially. If someone asked me, "Hey, I don't have any money, but how can I make up for it?" I would tell them to go to the volunteer booth and sign up for a shift once they entered - no guilt trip involved.

Answer 2

As a very broke college student, I've felt the guilt trip many times. A lot of the museums in NYC are on the same premise, you give what you can, with a suggested donation. SO MANY TIMES I've paid $10 to get into the Met, and sometimes I just don't have that kind of money to waste, so I give less than that. Just stand firm and try not to let people guilt you into paying more...it's suggested for a reason, believe me they get plenty of money.

(My boyfriend actually gave $10 for two of us going into the Natural History Museum and the cashier in an incredibly rude voice said "Allllll ten dolllars?"... UGH gross.)

And...by the way, I've NEVER heard of a street fair CHARGING people to walk..that cost usually lands on the vendors, not the patrons.

Answer 3

The suggested donation is usually the minimum amount estimated to recover the expenses of putting on the street fair (such as permits, cleaning crews, parking control, port-a-potty and waste management, advertising and paid employees that co-ordinate all of that). A lot goes on behind the scenes and although it should not be required, it is using your best manners to contribute the minimum. If you can't afford it and still want to go, offer to put in some volunteer time in exchange for a free or reduced entrance. Offering less should only occur if you absolutely cannot afford the minimum.

Answer 4

While it may be considered "rude" to not pay the suggested donation amount, it's also rude to call it a "suggested donation" and then force someone to pay that amount. They normally call those cover charges where I'm from. I don't think I've ever attended an event that had a suggested donation amount, but they enforced that amount as a minimum payment to gain entry. I would probably leave if I tried to get in to the event, but they tried to force me to pay a "suggested donation" when I didn't feel it was a proper amount for the event, or for whatever reason I didn't want to pay that amount.

Answer 5

if it was called an "admission fee" then you would have to pay the full amount. these fairs, however, are calling them "suggested donations" - thus, by definition, you need only to pay as much as you want/can. they have no right guilting you into paying the suggested amount. i usually pay what i can in order to still have something left over for the fair - i'll give them $5 at the door and keep $10 for a drink and a snack or whatever.

Answer 6

If it is indeed called a "donation", then no one can demand or guilt trip anyone into anything, or it becomes an entrance fee, and they have to pay taxes on it. If I intend to purchase something from the vendors, I simply refuse to pay a "donation", but if I am only there to be entertained, then I will offer a donation in keeping with the entertainment.

Answer 7

Yes, because of these donations it makes it possible for there to be a street fair or festival every year. Something is also better than nothing, no1 should make you pay full suggested donation if you dont wanna pay the full suggested donation.

Answer 8

I usually try to pay the full amount. A lot of time and effort goes into putting something like that together. Especially, if the cause is something you support. I recommend paying the full amount.

Answer 9

you should only donate the amount ypu think is best and not be bullied by those greedy fools! if those people got 10 dollars from every person, they would be very rich in a short amount of time, and laugh all the way to the bank at your expense!!

Answer 10

I usually give more than the suggested donation.

If I don't want to "contribute" I stay at home.