I had a funny feeling going to the Canada Post today. Some guys got out of car and started "working" the sidewalk. I think they parked in the parking spaces there at the post office, though I'm not sure. They started kind of asking random people, me included, if we had tickets to sell (not to buy, but to sell).
I just said "no" and walked on, kind of wondering if that was really their best approach. But then it kind of bugged me. My first vibe hadn't felt right. And I noticed in my brief interaction that one guy seem to be directing the others, like telling them where to go . . . sending one over to library square. But it didn't really strike me as a group of buds hanging out together and hoping to spring for some tickets. It seemed more "organized," even kind of subversive in a way.
Just struck me as strange when I thought about it more. I even wondered about a show I saw recently explaining how professional scammers work the streets. The schemes can be quite elaborate at times. And it normally starts with something that seems good . . . a stranger "helping you out" right after something bad (caused by their partner) happens or, say, an opportunity to make some easy money.
Anyhow, it just gave me a weird vibe when I thought about it a block or so after the encounter. It may have been nothing, but still. My instincts have been right on things before that seemed askew at the time.
I do think we are going to have a different mix mingling around for the next few weeks. Maybe most will be wide-out, or well-off
, tourists. But some may be out to scam and pickpocket and otherwise mess with the masses. There may be some taking advantage of the easy-going manner we're used to experiencing.
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