I had a couple of bizzare experiences in Paris.
1. I was ouside the museum of Modern Art in Paris, the one near the Eiffel Tower, clicking pictures as usual, when 2 photographers approached me. They said they were doing a project on people in Paris, wanted to show people all over Paris, they wanted me to pose for them as though I was taking pictures of the monument, but with a white mask on my face, they explained the whole concept to me at that time, I cannot remember the whole thing now. Anyway, I posed for them for quite a few pictures, then they made me sign a release form also. They then gave me their visit card and said they would be exhibiting the pics some time in Oct. on their web site, etc. I did check out their site that same day (www.gregsoussan.com), their work is really good, so cannot wait till October to see the pics, they have shot some international celebs also.
2. The same day, I was walking close to the Eiffel tower when a man called out to me from his car, he asked if I was Italian, then told me that he was Italian and that he was working for a fashion designer in Milan and he wanted to give me couple of free leather jackets, to promote his clothes. He then asked me to come closer, to see the jackets, they were wrapped in plastic bags, so he just opened the bag a bit and made me feel the leather, it felt really soft and nice. He then gave them to me, I was thrilled to bits. Then came the catch or the con. He then told me that he spent the last night in a bar with some beautiful woman, he was out of cash, had to get back to Milan, would I pay him some money for the fuel? Luckily I was carrying only 50 Euros with me in my pocket, the rest of the cash was in my money belt under my jeans, safe and secure. Anyway I gave him 35 Euros, he was asking for 100 or 150, and I walked away, happy about the leather jackets.
I reached my hotel much later, opened the bags, only to discover that the label inside said the material was PVC/polyester blend, even though it really looks and feels like leather! So I was conned in Paris, but not much at all, thankfully.
3. Speaking of bizzare, it was truly bizzare to see a giant submerged face, with no eyes, just the nose and lips and the rest of the face in the fountain in the Luxembourg gardens. Apparently part of some art project or installation, dont know the material used, but it looked really life like, the same skin tones, etc, only giant sized and partly submerged in the water, the last place I would expect to see it, in the midst of all that greenery. It stopped me right in my tracks.
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I actually had some guy approach me with the same con job, same story, in my sleepy neighborhood of the 12th. The jackets had fake italian designer labels in them. I wanted to see it closely which he clearly didnt like and kept moving the jacket real fast like. Part of the illusion. I got a close look and could tell they were cheap garbage. I said no thanks and walked away.
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Is that Italian guy still working? If it%26#39;s the same I had the experience nearly 20 years ago. I just walked away, which he didn%26#39;t appreciate. Too bad!
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Interesting !!
As to the nose-thing in the Fontaine des Medicis: I hate it and I hope they remove it before next year - it totally destroys the place.
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Wow... this is a major con in Rome, but I had never heard of it in Paris. Consider yourself lucky, as the Italian version usually ends with the entire wallet being snatched.
For all future visitors, please keep in mind that NO sane person will give items of value (leather coats, gold rings, etc...) to a stranger for FREE, even if there is no cost, there may be strings attached, so think twice before even giving these people your ear.
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Thanks for the post phread.
Quite frankly, I really was convinced by the Italian guy. For before I left for Paris, I read all the posts about cons in this forum as well as the virtual tourist forum and other sites, did never come across anything like this.
Plus, I guess I am a bit naive, always like to believe that people everywhere are genuine and nice. Am also a bit impulsive, like taking risks sometimes, I could have just walked away, but I went up and spoke to him.
Lesson learnt.
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I pretend i am deaf and dumb when approached by anyone trying to sell me anything,especially on the beaches in Mexico,they look at me like i am crazy and just walk off.
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#2 happened to me a few years ago, near where I live so a side street in the 20th. We spoke in Italian, I didn%26#39;t go for it his story and directed him to the Italian restaurant (sadly now defunct) nearby. He drove off in the other direction. Obviously decided there are richer pickings than in the 20th !
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#2 happened to me a few years ago, near where I live so a side street in the 20th. We spoke in Italian, I didn%26#39;t go for it his story and directed him to the Italian restaurant (sadly now defunct) nearby. He drove off in the other direction. Obviously decided there are richer pickings than in the 20th !
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%26#39;As to the nose-thing in the Fontaine des Medicis: I hate it and I hope they remove it before next year - it totally destroys the place.%26#39;
GitteK, that%26#39;s the thing about art, it%26#39;s meant to elicit varied responses. You can love it, or you can hate it, but you just cannot ignore it.
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This is obviously a common con. I have been approached in Rome, and also on a motorway service station on the M6 in England by an Italian trying the same thing with the leather jackets. There are probably hundreds of the guys!
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