Transport strikes and other Paris, France Warning Or Danger Tips

We were in Paris in November of 2007 during a transport strike that lasted at least a week. We were surprised to discover that busses and metro and RER were still running though some lines were quite sporadic and others had reduced service. However, one positive thing was that they were all free. We asked two or three times when we got on how much to where we were going and were just waved through by the drivers. If you're in Paris during a strike, expect delays. Some busses and trains may not come at all, some may be very slow service and some just slightly reduced. There were screens in each metro stop that said how often the trains might run i.e. 1 in 4 or 1 in 12 or "unassured" meaning you probably won't see it. Most of the busses in the busier routes were running fairly well.

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I'm not sure if it's a way to pick your pocket or a way to scam money out of you, or both. It happened to us twice and to at least one other person I know and it's apparently pretty common. We were walking through the Tuilleries park and a woman came up behind us and showed us a gold ring, like a wide wedding band. She only spoke French but since I have a little bit of French I made out a bit of it. It seemed she was trying to give it to us for good luck. She was insistent and I finally took it. There wasn't anyone else around with her. She left and then turned around and came back and said it wasn't good luck for us but for her, and she asked for 5 euros for a coffee. I thought it was just a creative way to beg money and in the end i gave her about 75 cents. Her face dropped but I said that was all I had and she left. Served her right, I thought. It was worth pocket change to get rid of her.

When we were in a cafe later, I took out the ring and had a closer look at it. Of course it wasn't real and as we were discussing it, the waiter came up to us and rattled off something in French with the words "Peek pockette" in there. I realized he was warning us and we realized she might have been watching to see where our money was or something. Later that day my husband was approached by a man with a gold ring but, knowing what the deal was now, he just put his hand up and said "Sorry, mate, I've already got one!". Another friend of mine was approached on her trip this year as well but since I'd warned her, she knew to dismiss the person straight out.

So, be warned. This is a common scam. Watch your wallets and purses and handbags and tell them to leave you alone.

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