On our first night in Paris we went for a work around Montmarte, and ran into a group of guys with string… We were a little nervous having read warnings about pick pockets in every second district in Paris. So were a little nervous when this guy came up to us. A lot more nervous when, once we had stopped walking, many other guys appeared from nowhere!
We got out of there quickly and checked our pockets around the corner.
I was surprised to see large groups of these guys working the streets in daylight. We’d been in Paris for close to a week and were beginning to realise that Paris was about as dangerous as any other city. We could get on and off the underground, even at night… and night seemed about the same on the metro system. But my curiosity for these suspicious string people was stirred… they didn’t seem to be a vicious gang… though they did accuse me of being English and my girlfriend Chinese! Perhaps it was meant to hurt, but as New Zealanders, the accusations confused us.
I’m a little surprised to discover that they were selling the strings. But I’m not sure if they were Jamaican?
If you are approached by anyone in Paris, it might just be a good opportunity to speak French. Around tourist locations people will ask you if you speak English and hand you a note asking for money. But on a train to Versailles, a guy gave us a note in French asking for money; we thought it would make an interesting memento, but he came around later and took it back.
I just found this Paris visitor resource, the metro cards are really useful. But unless you are planning on spending a lot of time in the metro - you’ll only need Zones 1-2.
Update [23/07/2008]: If you are worried about the string people, here is a nice article to avoid ruining your day. Paris Scams: String Men of Sacré Coeur.
How can you avoid the “string man” scam? Easy: Just keep your hands close to your body as you pass the string men and politely say “Non, merci” if they approach. Be courteous but firm, and the string man who’s targeted you will move on to another victim.
I have also recently become familiar with the travel wiki... it is like everyone’s favourite wiki, but written less like Britannica and with more details on where to go and what to do… a little like your pocket Lonely Planet I suppose.
And how about meeting the french? A tour where you can have dinner or visit french bakeries and factories.
