  As you may know, I work in public radio. That means several times a year my co-workers and I throw out common sense, rational thought, decorum, and self-respect, then start begging for money.
Just kidding. We don't beg...we ask you to define the value of the programming in your life, think of how much you'd miss it if it went away, and call in your pledge now. Please. Pretty please? A few years ago during a fund drive I was in the library checking out a book or CD or something.
The librarian recognized my name and said that she and her co-workers had been listening to me on the radio all week asking for pledges. She said one of the other librarians thought I had a very sexy voice. I had no idea how to respond. So, of course, I said the stupidest thing possible. "Well, do I live up to my voice? " She looked me over, top to bottom. Her expression was more like sympathy than hot monkey desire. "I'm sure you are a very nice fellow," she said quietly.
Damn. "Well, did any of you call in a pledge? " I asked. "No, we didn't. " Double-dog damn. Ever since, whenever someone sees my name and asks if I'm the guy from the radio fund drives--I pretend to have no idea what they are talking about. "A guy with my name? On the radio? Asking for money? How odd. " Then I--and my dignity--walk away unscratched. 
