Turning down a request "for a good cause"

[Shoo]

I seriously doubt anyone, including your friend, will notice if you participate or not.  And even if she does, you can just say you're not interested in playing. 

[lmyrs]

This one really annoys me. I've seen friends with the colour in their status updates and I didn't know what it was until someone explained it in their status. The thing is now, several people have it explained in their status. It just says, "List the colour of your bra for breast cancer awareness." So, at least they're telling people.

When I finally got the email from someone asking me to participate, I responded with, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand how keeping a secret raises awareness of anything." I hope that wasn't rude, but it's how I feel.

[Sabbyfrog2]

This one really annoys me. I've seen friends with the colour in their status updates and I didn't know what it was until someone explained it in their status. The thing is now, several people have it explained in their status. It just says, "List the colour of your bra for breast cancer awareness." So, at least they're telling people.

When I finally got the email from someone asking me to participate, I responded with, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand how keeping a secret raises awareness of anything." I hope that wasn't rude, but it's how I feel.

I had no idea what this color thing on facebook was until I just read your post.
 
Ummmmm yeah no. I will not be participating in that. I fail to see how the color of my bra helps find a cure nor does it "raise awareness" IMO. But, to each their own.

[MandiC76]

I too find it annoying - especially since I was included in a list of names that received the initial message, and everytime someone replies to that "thread", my inbox suddenly gets cluttered up with messages.

I don't respond to chain letter messages, no matter how good the cause is.   

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's annoyed by that. I'm not participating, and I don't really have an issue with all of the status updates, but I'm getting tired of getting email notifications about it. (And I can't get on Facebook at work, so i can't do anything about it.)

[kingsrings]

I too find it annoying - especially since I was included in a list of names that received the initial message, and everytime someone replies to that "thread", my inbox suddenly gets cluttered up with messages.

I don't respond to chain letter messages, no matter how good the cause is.   

Yes, that is exactly what I’m experiencing right now. Every day I go into Facebook there is at least one or two private messages in my inbox from those on the message that hit ‘reply all’. What a PITA.

I don’t participate because I don’t care to announce the color of my underwear to everyone. And I fail to see how it has anything to do with cause awareness.

[Hushabye]

Definitely just ignore it and if she asks, tell her that you chose not to participate.  If you can say it honestly, tell her that you don't participate in charity stuff on Facebook at all.  You don't need to give an explanation -- I think it would just open you up to all sorts of ridiculousness.

I hate the whole idea.  I do not care what color underwear my friends are wearing, and as I'm friends with a couple of real-life friends' moms, I *really* don't care what color underwear they're wearing.  Or to know that they might not be wearing any.  It's just WAY too much information.

[Alex the Seal]

 

I got this last night, and almost came here for advice on how to handle it. I just ignored.

And I agree with those who don't see how it really raises awareness.

If you can say it honestly, tell her that you don't participate in charity stuff on Facebook at all.  You don't need to give an explanation -- I think it would just open you up to all sorts of ridiculousness.

Oh, good thinking, I'll keep that in mind in case anyone asks

[Nurvingiel]

I got this last night, and almost came here for advice on how to handle it. I just ignored.

Ignoring it is perfectly reasonable.

[jimithing]

I just read a blog post from someone who said that she put in her status that she wasn't going to share and thought the whole thing was silly.

Several people left comments calling her a spoilsport, and she said that she got a few emails calling her out and saying that they hoped she never got cancer. 

[stargazer]

Wow.  That response is outrageous. 

I agree it does nothing to promote awareness - I think it's just more in fun.  A lot of my friends and I actually did it.  I don't have a problem with it, and when I forwarded the email several of my friends thanked me as they had no idea what was going on either and promptly posted their colors.   The only problem is that when you send this email to a lot of people - it is apparently a "thread" and anytime someone responds to it everyone on the thread gets it.  So when my brother's finance started asking me questions about my eventual uncoming wedding and stuff, that went in the thread as well.  So I had to email her separately with that info.

[TaylorMade]

I actually laughed today when I saw one of my friends status say "If you want to know the color of my bra, you have to actually buy me dinner first"

[Azrail]

I ignored it.

[photochick]

I just wanted to let everyone know Washington Post style section had a story on their front page about this.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/08/AR2010010803693.html

[Joannie81]

I really don't want to know my friends and family's bra color and I honestly couldn't tell you mine without looking.  I don't play that one.

[mbbored]

I still don't understand how this brings attention to breast cancer?  And why does breast cancer need so very much attention when it's not even the leading cause of death in women?