I lived in Montreal in the mid-1980's, and one of my closest friends there had a boyfriend who---as he loved to crow at anyone who'd listen---had done a scam with his friends down in New Orleans a couple of years earlier. The "I know where you got your shoes" scam! As soon as I saw your post title, I knew what was coming 😅
So funny! My question, BA, is why this scam isn't even MORE well known and why more street hustlers don't employ it. My guess is that not everyone can pull it off. It requires a certain humor and charm.
Before you got to the New Orleans shoe shine bit I was like, oh boy, am I going to be the one to tell you about the popularity of this bit in New Orleans. I never should have doubted your journalistic credibility, Anne. You don't miss a thing!
Back in the early 90's, when I was living in Mexico City, I gave English classes to the ambassador of Colombia to Mexico. We would sit and have a conversation while we drank the most amazing Colombian coffee. One day, I arrived and there was a man sitting with the ambassador and he was introduced to me as his old friend and neighbor, Gabo. As the 3 of us sat and talked a bit, Gabo told me and admitted he was only there to steal some of ambassadors coffee, which was sent directly to the Embassy from Colombia. At that time, there was no imported coffee in Mexico at all. I then learned that Gabo drank 8 cups of coffee a day so he could write. Turns out that the ambassador's old friend Gabo was none other than Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
At that time I didn't know who he was and it didn't sink in until a few years later, but one thing I remember from the time I spent with him was, coffee was essential if he was in front of his typewriter. 8 cups a day and look where it got him. So drink up!!
I also learned years later, endocrinologists don't drink coffee. They know the truth about it.
The only reason I watch the news is to find out if recent studies show coffee is good for me or bad for me today.
I have 1 cup a day and that's it. I make it myself in my house. I'm not an endocrinologist.
Wow what a great story, Paul! I did a little google search and it turns out the protagonist of 100 Years of Solitude (which I have tried to read twice) also drinks eight cups of coffee a day.
It is so funny about the studies. If you wanted to prove one or the other you'd have plenty of evidence. All I know is that coffee is good for ME!
Ah, so it's been a long time since I had my shoes shined. I've had it done many times when I was in Addis Ababa...sitting on a rock, a bench, a chair, whatever, on the side of the street, as these young lads would grab their various brushes and rags to clean my sneakers, pulling out the laces to wash in a bowl of water, or applying shoe polish and shoe cream to leather shoes. Sometimes it was almost as good as a foot massage. Then there were the men repairing umbrellas, and women serving coffee from a thermos in roadside stalls. Sitting, watching the world go by. Slowing life down. Always thankful for these memories. And hopefully, another visit sooner rather than later.
Hopefully, I'll get back to Ethiopia sooner rather than later ... it's been far too long. COVID, caring duties, etc. etc. I have a couple of ideas for things to do, reasons to go, research to do, apart from visiting de facto family (people who've become like family since I first met them in 2007).
Just delightful! Made my day. Such interesting people. They are all around us…but you must take the time to meet and listen to them!!!! “ Pay Attention, Babygirl”
I live in a building right next to Larry’s. We hear him outside almost every night. He has become an affectionate part of our New York soundtrack. If we ever leave the city, Larry will be one of the things I miss the most. Once he got to know my family (it took about fifteen times of asking about our shoes), he started greeting us with the same familiarity and charm, minus the bit. One night, my wife opened our window and playfully shouted, “leave those people alone, Larry”. He playfully shouted up, “It wasn’t me!” And then started adding, “everyone around here knows me” as part of the bit. What a gem. Thanks for writing this.
I got several "It wasn't me!"s and "Everyone around here knows me!"s from Larry as well. If you recorded him a few nights in a row, it wouldn't be difficult to make a Larry AI and then you could take him with you if you leave the city. Although for $5, maybe you could take the original!
It's funny, Justin. I am beginning to suspect there is ZERO correlation between how rough one's life has been and the attitude/perspective one can take.
Larry needs to be an influencer. He influenced me this morning. Wish I could send him a tip.
The Lego flowers!! 💐
I miss coffee. It gave me heart palpitations so I had to stop. I have a friend who owns the best coffee company in Boston. When she and her hubby travel they bring their coffee. They won’t drink any other brand. https://flatblackcoffee.com/
The backstory on Larry’s cold-reading prowess was wonderful. I’m sure the Grand Central spots are a real monastery for shoe expertise. Was the tone on “I used to be married” more bright-jocular or sore spot-jocular? I could see that riff swinging both ways.
I’d join the coffee challenge, but I’m only tied at five. Caffeine is the warrior’s way. Or at least the typewriter’s.
I met Larry once! He's so good natured I didn't mind giving him a couple bucks. Based on the look on his friend's face I knew this was going to be an eye roll, but at least amusing.
Vincent, that's so great you've enjoyed experience too! Yes, he does seem to typically be surrounded by a circle of cronies who are highly amused by the whole scene.
“Pay attention, babygirl” is my new mantra
LOL
Me too Phoebe! I've actually said it to myself a few times since I chatted with Larry!
I lived in Montreal in the mid-1980's, and one of my closest friends there had a boyfriend who---as he loved to crow at anyone who'd listen---had done a scam with his friends down in New Orleans a couple of years earlier. The "I know where you got your shoes" scam! As soon as I saw your post title, I knew what was coming 😅
So funny! My question, BA, is why this scam isn't even MORE well known and why more street hustlers don't employ it. My guess is that not everyone can pull it off. It requires a certain humor and charm.
Most hustlers have certain standards, is my guess
😂
Before you got to the New Orleans shoe shine bit I was like, oh boy, am I going to be the one to tell you about the popularity of this bit in New Orleans. I never should have doubted your journalistic credibility, Anne. You don't miss a thing!
I love that this is still largely a regional thing, Nicole. You think that thanks to the internet, everyone would...whoops!
Back in the early 90's, when I was living in Mexico City, I gave English classes to the ambassador of Colombia to Mexico. We would sit and have a conversation while we drank the most amazing Colombian coffee. One day, I arrived and there was a man sitting with the ambassador and he was introduced to me as his old friend and neighbor, Gabo. As the 3 of us sat and talked a bit, Gabo told me and admitted he was only there to steal some of ambassadors coffee, which was sent directly to the Embassy from Colombia. At that time, there was no imported coffee in Mexico at all. I then learned that Gabo drank 8 cups of coffee a day so he could write. Turns out that the ambassador's old friend Gabo was none other than Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
At that time I didn't know who he was and it didn't sink in until a few years later, but one thing I remember from the time I spent with him was, coffee was essential if he was in front of his typewriter. 8 cups a day and look where it got him. So drink up!!
I also learned years later, endocrinologists don't drink coffee. They know the truth about it.
The only reason I watch the news is to find out if recent studies show coffee is good for me or bad for me today.
I have 1 cup a day and that's it. I make it myself in my house. I'm not an endocrinologist.
Wow what a great story, Paul! I did a little google search and it turns out the protagonist of 100 Years of Solitude (which I have tried to read twice) also drinks eight cups of coffee a day.
It is so funny about the studies. If you wanted to prove one or the other you'd have plenty of evidence. All I know is that coffee is good for ME!
Ah, so it's been a long time since I had my shoes shined. I've had it done many times when I was in Addis Ababa...sitting on a rock, a bench, a chair, whatever, on the side of the street, as these young lads would grab their various brushes and rags to clean my sneakers, pulling out the laces to wash in a bowl of water, or applying shoe polish and shoe cream to leather shoes. Sometimes it was almost as good as a foot massage. Then there were the men repairing umbrellas, and women serving coffee from a thermos in roadside stalls. Sitting, watching the world go by. Slowing life down. Always thankful for these memories. And hopefully, another visit sooner rather than later.
Wow Ruth I loved just reading about this. I have never had my shoes shined, much less my sneakers. And roadside stall thermos coffee....
Hopefully, I'll get back to Ethiopia sooner rather than later ... it's been far too long. COVID, caring duties, etc. etc. I have a couple of ideas for things to do, reasons to go, research to do, apart from visiting de facto family (people who've become like family since I first met them in 2007).
Hahaha! What a guy! And well done with the Lego family. They certainly brighten up the neighbourhood.
Yes and clearly having fun with it. Every block needs a couple characters for sure, Beth. It brings the neighborhood together.
Just delightful! Made my day. Such interesting people. They are all around us…but you must take the time to meet and listen to them!!!! “ Pay Attention, Babygirl”
They really are, Toni! Just reading your comment makes me want to pay attention EVEN MORE.
I loved reading about Larry! It's a rainy day here in Kansas and your talk with Larry brought sunshine to my heart. "Pay attention, babygirl!"
I love imagining you reading this in Kansas, Erika. Glad you enjoyed the Larry story!
I live in a building right next to Larry’s. We hear him outside almost every night. He has become an affectionate part of our New York soundtrack. If we ever leave the city, Larry will be one of the things I miss the most. Once he got to know my family (it took about fifteen times of asking about our shoes), he started greeting us with the same familiarity and charm, minus the bit. One night, my wife opened our window and playfully shouted, “leave those people alone, Larry”. He playfully shouted up, “It wasn’t me!” And then started adding, “everyone around here knows me” as part of the bit. What a gem. Thanks for writing this.
Minor correction: the bar is Hollow Nickel
Hi Joey! Error corrected, thanks for that.
I got several "It wasn't me!"s and "Everyone around here knows me!"s from Larry as well. If you recorded him a few nights in a row, it wouldn't be difficult to make a Larry AI and then you could take him with you if you leave the city. Although for $5, maybe you could take the original!
There are so many people you run into that have such good attitudes and have had lives that seem pretty rough. It really makes me smile.
It's funny, Justin. I am beginning to suspect there is ZERO correlation between how rough one's life has been and the attitude/perspective one can take.
Given your newsletter as evidence, I'm inclined to agree.
All of this - Lego flowers and awareness master disguised as shoe expert - gave me joy! Thanks Anne! 💐👞
Oh boy this makes ME feel very happy, Sabrina. Thank you!
Thanks again as always. Healing from Stage 4. This made me smile - askLewis.substack.com
Glad to hear that Lewis and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Larry needs to be an influencer. He influenced me this morning. Wish I could send him a tip.
The Lego flowers!! 💐
I miss coffee. It gave me heart palpitations so I had to stop. I have a friend who owns the best coffee company in Boston. When she and her hubby travel they bring their coffee. They won’t drink any other brand. https://flatblackcoffee.com/
Oh man, that's awful your friend OWNS a coffee company and you can't drink the coffee, CK. LIFE!!!!
The backstory on Larry’s cold-reading prowess was wonderful. I’m sure the Grand Central spots are a real monastery for shoe expertise. Was the tone on “I used to be married” more bright-jocular or sore spot-jocular? I could see that riff swinging both ways.
I’d join the coffee challenge, but I’m only tied at five. Caffeine is the warrior’s way. Or at least the typewriter’s.
You know what's even better DD? Coffee and CIGARETTES. But those days are long gone...
I met Larry once! He's so good natured I didn't mind giving him a couple bucks. Based on the look on his friend's face I knew this was going to be an eye roll, but at least amusing.
Vincent, that's so great you've enjoyed experience too! Yes, he does seem to typically be surrounded by a circle of cronies who are highly amused by the whole scene.
“…the oldest is five and assisted mainly by trying to eat the stems.” 😆
My favorite line in that story, Alison!