Ha, I used to do the same as a child when I took part in the yearly charity run. I had to ask everyone in the street to contribute either a fixed amount or an amount per lap - so I made sure to get my parents to sign up for a (relatively high) per round amount as my first sign-ups, then hope the next ones to take part would do the same.

Buskers do the same, priming their hat or tin or whatever to show what they feel an appropriate donation would be. They also regularly ‘groom’ their donations so as to not look too successful.

Ha, I used to do the same thing when I drove an airport shuttle for a hotel while I was a bellman. Thanks for stirring up a crazy memory!