I took a bunch of money to Algodones and left it there today. Dental, new sunglasses, the Purple Store, and lunch. Seasoned pro that I am now, I took a paperback while I waited for the dentist, waited for lenses to be made, and waited to cross the border.
I sat and read in the square and watched the people. You know those guys that “encourage” (some say “accost”) you to go to the “best” or “cheapest” pharmacy/dentist/optician in town? Forcing coupons for discounts into your hands? Well, the technique works, very well. The guys are not slacker ne’er-do-wells but skilled salesmen that succeed to direct customers into the shop they work for, where the interior people have to pick up the sales job.
Everyone of them has a shtick, a repertoire of gab they vary depending on the target. I remember when I first encountered them, and was extremely annoyed at their “in-your-face” attitude which can be taken as threatening. I learned that you can ignore them completely, they are totally harmless, and are quite funny and fun to talk to. But, first-timers, especially women, can be freaked out.
What’s happening here? These are good salesmen, and a good salesman knows how to “read” people quickly and do whatever it takes to get their attention. If they get this far, and it happens a lot, a little quick chatter and some light touching can get the customer through the door. Job done, it might only take 20 seconds.
I’m sure a lot of people carry bags of stuff across the border and wonder later how they came to acquire this crap. Irritating, threatening, and annoying, it works.
I remember one time going across the border and wandering the streets later in the day. One salesman actually yelled out to me “hay Lady what lies do I have to tell you to get you to buy from me?” I laughed and thanked him for his honesty, but walked on by.