[KGIII]

Maybe a better statement would be, "If you donate to the Red Cross then know what your donation is going to support..." Then maybe you can enumerate the complaints and, if wanted, provide citations.

As it is, I think some folks may take offense with you telling them how to spend their money. I, for one, read it as you trying to tell me what I can or cannot do.

Edited to add: I see your dead reply. The difference between my suggestions and your post is that you demand, as opposed to ask. You may notice that I'm making a point of not saying you should do something, but that pointing out that you can choose to do something.

It's received much more gracefully and people are much more open to the ideas when they are asked, instead of when they are instructed. But, it's entirely up to you how you take it and what you decide to do with it.

I've spent years learning to say could instead of should. It has helped me immensely.

[mbrookes]

http://www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red...

To be clear, this article is about the American Red Cross (which is not to say that other branches and other NGOs aren't as bad), but if you want to know what your donation is going to support... good luck!

[KGIII]

Oh, they are pretty horrible. I was more concerned with presentation than content. I support the idea of educating people about the horribleness of the American Red Cross. I also know it is more effective to do so by engaging then demanding.

People, as a general rule, don't like being told what to do. They respond much better when being asked politely. We didn't develop politeness for no reason, after all. We have all sorts of negative phrases for demanding people.

As I support the idea of making people aware of the problems with the American Red Cross, it stands to reason that I'd like to not sour them on the process of learning about the reasons for the complaints.

[mbrookes]

Ah, got you. I misinterpreted your statement as a defence of ARC, but rereading I see that's not the case.

[KGIII]

For better or worse, society respects a well dressed person with manners more than they do a spittle-flecked zealot. I suspect more people have been turned away from desktop Linux precisely because of this.

It has been very, very socially helpful to learn to not say should and to substitute could. Relatedly, I also try to say I can relate, and not to say I understand. Just a couple of small things completely change how people respond to me.

You could try it in your everyday speech and see if you notice a difference?