like bored@work, we always open our door and offer a drink, and sometimes a small snack and act like mentsch…however, it is very hard when the meshulachim come and demand a donation of a certain amount and they wont settle for any less (theyll start yelling and cryign and telling you all their problems) and make you feel very guilty if you cant give them what they want (over $100) . as much as we have to treat them like people when they approach us for tzeddaka, i think they have to learn how to act…it is incredibly rude to demand x amount from people who have their own family support and many other tzeddakah collectors who come asking for money. the economic crisis is hitting everyone. be happy for what you get, dont beg for more and make people feel guilty.
and on a side note, i know a family who trains their kids that whenever a tzeddaka collector knocks on the door and the father is not home they should say “mai tatta nishta aheiim…” and absolutely not open the door. unless their is a father, or someone who can deal with them at home, the door should not be opened.