Recently, somebody who is planning to come to Paris for a visit, asked me if the area she planned to rent an apartment in, was safe. I answered that, globally, Paris is not a dangerous city, but that I could not guaranty she would not meet a pickpocket or so like in all big cities. I thought of this, when today, on the magnificent bridge Alexander III, I witnessed a classical scam: a kid pretends to pick up a gold ring just by you, shows it to you saying "you lost something" and when you say "it's not mine", the kid makes up a story and ends up asking you for money in exchange for the ring (which, of course is not made of gold!) This kid did it several times while I was taking pictures, but, from what I could see, it never worked!
First?
ReplyDeleteI love the symmetry in this photo!! Gorgeous as usual, Eric.
Kids scamming in Paris? Say it's not true!
I should have asked before - what kind of story does the kid make up?
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned! That happened to me 2 years ago on the left bank near the bridge . It was a woman who approached me with the ring that she" picked up" off the ground.She asked me( I too, said I didn't want anything that didn't belong to me), then insisted I take it. I refused but she put it back in my hand and asked for a donation for a church. RIGHT!!! Off we went, sans ring.
ReplyDeleteSuzy beat us. Well done Suzy lol.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of this scam before, being a mere innocent. Whaaaaat?
I was amazed that if you can stand and watch this happening, so can a gendarme. Where were they?
I notice the chap being scammed is looking at you. Maybe if you hadn't been there, he'd have bought the ring? lol. Beautiful bridge pic by the way.
As big city scams go, that's not a bad one. I guess it simply comes down to you can't cheat an honest person.
ReplyDeleteThis is a kid's joke as compared to what happens here.
ReplyDeleteAlmost too innocent for Rio standarts. The kid asks for a donation?! Here they put a gun in your head and demand money.
I think it's ok to say Paris is pretty safe.
What I heard before but never had done to me in my three visits to Paris, is the bracelet in Montmartre. The closest I came to a scam was near Louis Vuitton on the Champs Elysees, some Chinese woman told me she couldn't buy another bag at LV because of duty so could I be of assistance and buy one there for her... needless to say, I laughed so hard she just left me.
ReplyDeleteAll cities have their own scams, I'm sure Toronto has a few happening. I still love Paris and can't wait to be back!
The one that got me and my wife was the bracelets to avoid evil spirits at Sacre Coeur. Two guys started talking to us and braiding these yarns into a bracelet on our wrists. By the time I figured out what was happening I had nothing to cut them off with. My wife laughed as I handed over the Euros.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eric for a beautiful photo (to go along with the reality check about scams). This could easily be an exasperated parent begging for the kid to hurry up already, so things are definitely not always what they seem.
ReplyDeleteAnd in case Eric is to shy to mention it, be sure to click on Eric's link to the Eye Prefer Paris blog, where there's an actual photo of Eric at a Paris bloggers party! Don't be mad at me Eric, but I know your fan club loves seeing photos of you too!
Nice photo, and nice lesson, about a not so nice scam. I like the ornate bridge railing.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh (big sigh), my favorite pont in the whole world! (Can you tell from my picture :)?) Say it isn't so that crime is taking place on this beautiful bridge!!
ReplyDeleteI was in Paris during the summer, and most days I was approached by someone with a scam. The best one, was the gypsy that supposedly picked up a ring off the ground and offered it to me, since she was "evangelista" and didn't wear jewelry, though she had holes in her ears. I didn't want to take it, started moving on, she insisted, so I was walking away with it, when she called me and said something about "manger". I said, "so sell the ring and buy food." That wasn't the response she was looking for.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love your photos. I check them out every day, but this is the first time I've responded to anything. And you know, there are days, that I could have been first. Will be back in Paris for the month of June. Can't wait...it is my favorite place on earth.
Eric, you must have lined this up carefully. Didn't you? I mean, look at the precision of the bridge posts! Then--didn't you have a tripod? You stood there and waited, you must have. The boy reaching. The man looking. The distant building a little out of focus. It's just so perfect!
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! I was very jet lagged once and fell for the "African Bracelet" at Sacre Coeur...when I realized what was going on I had to laugh, but the bracelet he made was really quite nice and I even wore it to bed that night. Ahhh..la jeunesse!!
ReplyDeleteThe gypsies outside Galeries Lafayette are much more annoying and I hate it when their awful children start grabbing at your clothing. Nothing that a stern "Va-t-en" can't cure...LOL!!
San Francisco has the "Bush Man" a homeless man that hides in the bushes and jumps out and frightens tourists and then laughs hysterically!!
Ahh...la vie!!
Monica... I don't envy you!
ReplyDeleteTonton_flaneur why does one wear a bracelete in bed? Uhm...maybe you were a bit too jet-lagged then!
Girls...
ReplyDeleteif you want more photos of Eric, look in google images...
So sorry Eric!
And have you seen the PDP Group in Facebook?
Dear Eric,
ReplyDeleteI spent last weekend in Paris, and I found it marvelleous as I remembered. I come from Venice so I am used to tourism, and I get no suprised of anything. I noticed instead something that i have seen around the all world, the people beting money on the game of three boxes. I saw people loosing lots of money, none policemen around. Near Pigalle there was one each 10 meters.
Luckly in Vencice they put some advices to aware the tourists.
I found the town safe.
I had very wonderful time in Paris!
A great documentary shot with lovely perspective. Well done Eric!
ReplyDeleteGosh careful Rose, we'll all be googling each other! Eek.
ReplyDeleteMonica that sounds terrifying. Do be careful. Are you scared each time you go out?
I actually laughed when I read this entry. I don't know why. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI really adore your blog. I love the pictures and stories behind them. I haven't met a friendly Parisian so, I am looking forward to meeting you. =)
Bali Hai everyone.! Just checking in from the beach and sun and spa to see what you're up to. Heading back to Singapore tomorrow for 2 days then back home.
ReplyDeleteHi Eric and everyone!
Oh...Michael, while you were not here some people were really mischievious. You must come back soon, maybe some of these girls will stop misbehaving!
ReplyDeletehe he i reckon he already knows, Rose, the scoundrel! Hi Michael darling. he he.
ReplyDeleteHa. I'd prefer that to the actual pickpockets I've encountered in Paris! I reckon I had the last laugh when the last one got my little unsecure wallet with a few metro tix and a few Euro. The fake credit cards were probably not pleasing. Still made me mad as he yanked it from my outside coat pocket with no finesse at all. At least it wasn't an actual mugging. One must take care in all cities. I love Paris. With the dollar's decline, though, the scam artists who deal in Euro will have to soon offer the tourists something to eat!
ReplyDeleteRose I´m sure you know what Rio is like.
ReplyDeleteLynn yes I´m mostly afraid to go out at night. Whenever we go out, day or night, we have to be very careful and be very alert.
Hi Michael!
Monica, unfortunately I do know what Rio is like... a shame really, make Paris and London look like Heaven. This is why we are going to Recife this year... not so violent.
ReplyDeleteI am also going to S Paulo and Rio but I am not looking forward to that bit. Maybe I should do what Linda did and have a wallet full of fake credit cards and a few dollars. Maybe take a couple of fake gold rings as well...hahaha
Well I hope nobody took a picture of you taking your picture. As unprofessional he may have looked he may have a big brother watching or wondering who you are.
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe how people exploit children. It makes me feel sad from time to time.
This happened to me last year in Paris. Of course, I did not fall for it, and warned a few American tourists nearby what this individual was up to (this was near the Musee d'Orsay.) I think that the most obnoxious area of all is Montmartre, at the bottom of the Sacre-Coeur steps - very aggressive street vendors there, who really spook the hell out of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit concerned about Paree now...! I'm sure it's the same in any city though, in London i expect. Though i don't think it would be as open as this seems to be.
ReplyDeleteRose lucky you! Recife must be really nice (não conheço ainda) and much more peaceful I´m sure.
ReplyDeleteQuando você vai estar no Rio?
Yeah, the same thing with a gypsy near the bookinistas on Rive Gauche. I responded likewise: you sell the ring for money for the food you say you want to buy. Well, beggars and such have been around from the beginning of urban civilization. The bracelet guys at Sacre Coeur really are irritating, almost assaulting you. I almost slapped one once. They all moved away then, like the Red Sea splitting for Moses.
ReplyDeleteHey, Michael. It's -25 C this morning here. What's the Parisian version of a Bronx cheer? I just gave you one. I trust you heard it in Bali.
What I hate is walking along the Champs-Elysées & having all those ladies approaching you asking if you speak English. They are standing there just waiting for you (American & others) wanting a handout. Just look the other way or shout NO. Sorry to say but you can walk through a Wal-Mart parking lot here & have the same thing happen. So sad.
ReplyDeleteKatrina Patty
tonton_flaneur a dit...
ReplyDelete"San Francisco has the "Bush Man" a homeless man that hides in the bushes and jumps out and frightens tourists and then laughs hysterically!!"
I just saw this guy in SF last Sunday, down by the wharf. He's hilarious to watch.
None of this stuff happened to us when we were in Paris. Maybe it's because my friend and I went to a lot of trouble to look French. We *sounded* American, but we looked French. And unapproachable.
ReplyDelete(Our husbands looked very American, however.)
I need to make another trip to San Francisco soon. I want to meet that guy who jumps out of the bushes. He sounds like fun.
Rose, thanks for the tip on the Facebook PDP group. I just joined. Didn't recognize anyone there except Eric. Unless that Michael is...Michael?
ReplyDeleteThe exact same senerio happened to me near La Sorbonne when I was in Paris a couple of years ago. The only difference was that this man was a lot older than this kid and said that he was from some eastern European country.
ReplyDeletei lived in paris for three years and i never got scammed on. i went to rome for a weekend and pick pocketers everywhere...eeek. i live in los angeles so anything less than a car jacking is not so bad. just be aware of your suroundings and use common sense. bon courage!!!!
ReplyDeletei lived in paris for three years and i never got scammed on. i went to rome for a weekend and pick pocketers everywhere...eeek. i live in los angeles so anything less than a car jacking is not so bad. just be aware of your suroundings and use common sense. bon courage!!!!
ReplyDeleteMonica
ReplyDeleteRecife is beautiful and I am hoping that we also make it to Fernando de Noronha.
My entire family (9 people)are going end of July for two weeks and after that, my youngest daughter and I are going to SP, PR and Rio (if I can't find the information I am looking for in SP) for another 3 weeks.
Petrea...You didn't recognize me :(?
How fabulous Rose, you´re going to make a tour! Fernando de Noronha must be a real dream. I´ve been to a few places in Nordeste but not those.
ReplyDeleteWhen you come to Rio drop me a line and let me know ok!
Rose você está no Facebook? Eu tb, vou te procurar lá!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePetrea yes, that Michael is Michael.
ReplyDeleteI just joined the group too and besides Eric, Rose and you, didn´t recognize anyone either. I guess there´s lots of PDP fans who doesn´t comment here.
The San Francisco Bush Man doesn't exactly hide *in* the bushes. He carries his own set of assorted dead branches and crouches down behind them right in the middle of the sidewalk - where no bush would ever be - and then jumps up from behind the branches as people walk by. I could watch him all day.
ReplyDeleteParis is a safe city. But if your a foreigner, pay more attention to your bags; pickpockets locate the tourists and steal them more than they steal French people.
ReplyDeleteI was away during two days, now I'm back and see that a real war began between all the girls, and obvioulsy, Eric is the trophy!! What happened here?? Is there a cupidon in the air?
I will not take part to this war, I have no chance, I'm too young for Eric...Although, the youth is attractive isn't it?? LOL.
Lynn, are you flirting with all the men on the blog? Firstly Eric, then Michael??
You're priceless, you always make me laugh when I come on PDP, your sense of humour is terrific according to me!
Right now on TV, a programme called Des racines et des ailes deals with Paris and the famous monuments. Yes, in France, the TV programme deals with...France! It's a little bit jingoist isn't it?? :)
Guille i thank you. I do like a little joke you know. Not all men oh no, i'm very selective. I was flirting with Michael a long time ago! Well actually he flirted with me first but who's counting?
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you back, Guille, i was beginning to wonder where you were.
I was studying!! again and again... But I had my first results of exams today and I don't regret all this time locked up in my room. LOL.
ReplyDeleteSpend a good evening.
But don't worry, I'll be there around midnight to post before you do it... he he.
he he we'll see. Glad you were busy studying, hope it's gone well today!
ReplyDeleteguille a dit: "I will not take part to this war, I have no chance, I'm too young for Eric...Although, the youth is attractive isn't it??"
ReplyDeleteSome Brian Setzer lyrics:
Gonna turn that skillet up to 'high',
Don't tell me that chick's too young to fry.
If you can't rock me,
I'll find somebody who can.
Ooh ooh!!
ReplyDeleteJeff, you know how to speak to girl... ;)
"girlS"
ReplyDeletelol. Come on Eric, hurry up and post so i can just beat Guille and go to bed with a good book. LOL !
ReplyDeleteHa! I don't have to go to bed for about 7 more hours.
ReplyDeleteGuille is fun to have you too in the Number 1 comment contest!
ReplyDeleteI wish you good luck in your studies (not in the contest though because I'm in it too!)
If I may say so Eric and Michael are our knights in shiny armers for quite some time now, aren't they Lynn?!
Indeed, Monica, they have been. So, seems to be the four of us tonight then. I bet Phx is lurking in the background he he. Maybe Pont Girl too.
ReplyDeleteOnly a thin Lynn separates you, and you may feel Guillty. Pont Girl will bridge the gap. PHX-CDG will be flying into the fray, and somebody's playing the harMonica from way over there. Don't Sue, zee race is not over.
ReplyDeletehe he Jeff! What an image. Ladies all round the world repeatedly clicking 'refresh' to see the new pic, when their fingers fly over the keyboard. Join us, Jeff, in the race. Oh and how i wish i WERE thin. Well not toooooooo thin. Just thin enough run faster than those younger girls!
ReplyDeleteJeff you're becoming very good at it!
ReplyDeleteNext you'll be making rhimes like Michael
I'm giggling noticing that our comments are getting shorter. We don't want to miss it!
ReplyDeleteAnd our friendly Parisian (yes it does exist) is playfully refreshing the comments screen, enjoying every minute of the torture he is inflicting upon his favorite fan girls.
ReplyDeleteAbsolument, Suzy!
ReplyDeleteYawn... i'm dying to finish my book - A Certain Chemistry by Mil Millington - very funny - but i will not leave the glory to you girlies LOL
ReplyDeleteAnother one of my imaginary boyfriends is tempting me with a Monty Python trivia contest, so I'm leaving Paris for now....see you tomorrow ladies!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're all right, Eric. I'm starting to get worried!
Can you beLIEVE!? My laptop crashed! I felt sure i had missed the race. I reckon Eric is partying again on a weekday. Honestly, Eric!
ReplyDeleteWow girls (and Jeff :) ) such anticipation!! I thought for sure that a new pic would be up by now!! You all are soooo funny - I love it. And yes, we need Michael back too. Well done Jeff!
ReplyDeleteI am alright!!! Just had dinner with and old friend of mine from school and it was fun.
ReplyDeleteOnly now I need to go to bed for it is... 1:20 am in Paris!
Something to while away the time
ReplyDeleteThx Monica!(for the studies). I'm in the race but not good in it, I won only once, one month ago!
ReplyDeleteJeff you're good, nothing to add.
Goooood night!
guille, I also watch Des Racines et des Ailes in Toronto, I love it as well as Thalassa. We're very lucky to have TV5 in Canada so I watch it all the time.
ReplyDeleteBeen reading the comments, very entertaining!
They warned me about them when I was in Paris! If you find any other situations like these, take some photos!!
ReplyDeleteAll to familiar. This happens to us every time we are there ...... they can be very persistent at time. Great photo, also.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! How funny to catch the scam in action.
ReplyDeleteWeirdly I never saw this until I read your post - then I saw a man try it on someone outside Chatelet Metro. I guess if I didn't know about it, I wouldn't even have noticed...
ReplyDeleteA woman tried this scam on me this afternoon in Rue Cadet. It was the first time I had seen it tried away from the big touristic attractions.
ReplyDeleteGreat capture there Eric. I wonder who would actually fall for such a scam.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo! It happened to us on the footbridge between the Eiffel Tower and Pont D'Alma.
ReplyDeleteI've just realised I got involved in a scam! It didn't work because I messed it up taking the ring and running after a Spanish woman because I believed she was the owner! Of course she was not and I gave back the ring!
ReplyDeleteI just got back from Paris this past weekend and saw this scam 3 times during my trip: once by a skilled-handed kid on the Passerelle Debilly (near l'Alma), and twice by a woman on Pont Alexandre III. The woman earned a coin of some denomination from an English-speaking visitor. It's really quite brilliant to see, if fundamentally annoying.
ReplyDeleteI was just in Paris the last two days and was approached by a kid who did this and I knew it was a scam but I gave him a few Euro and told him to go away. I put the ring on my right hand. The rest of the day I was approached 5 more times in various other locations. When I was approached and before the kid could even say anything I flashed the ring and said "No thanks, I already have one" and kept walking. The look on their faces was priceless. Needless to say I did have some fun with it.
ReplyDeleteI was in Paris in Feb, I wasn't scammed but I did find a fake gold ring on the ground. I wondered why it was there, now I know.
ReplyDeletei know its weird, but ahhhh those memories of when i used to be in Romania. i know its totally different then france. but i love the architect, reminds me of my home country. very nice.
ReplyDelete