I already know my address, thanks.

Yesterday afternoon, the doorbell rang. Subsequently, the dogs lost their minds. Before my husband could answer the door, the bell rang again. The dogs scrambled to gather their lost minds in order to lose them more loudly and colorfully than before.

The dogs corralled and the door answered, this question was posed by the young woman on the doorstep, "We have repainted your house number on the curb; how much would you like to donate for this service?"

Excuuuuuuuuse me?

Did you ask me first? Did I request this service? Was the existing number difficult to read, preventing emergency services from locating me should I need them? Have I ever heard of this "charity" you claim the "suggested donation" of $15 would go to? Is there a chance in hell that I'm going to give you a dime for this unsolicited curb painting? *

*Answer key: No. No. No. No. Fuck no.

What the hell? They might as well have said, "We've washed your car/mowed your lawn/impregnated your cat without your knowledge or consent; pay us." WTF? This irritates me more than you might expect, especially when I think about the people who probably hand over the money without a second thought.

If these curb-painters had come to the door and offered their services before performing them, it would be a completely different story. I would be able to choose, instead of having it forced upon me followed by request for money.

Have you paid for this type of thing before, or would you?