The writer recounts their experience of being scammed on a bus in Paris. They and their mother had bought 10 tickets that could be used on both buses and trains. However, when they tried to use the tickets on the bus, a group of people, who claimed to be bus inspectors, demanded that they pay a fine of 35 Euros each, claiming that the tickets were invalid. The writer recognized the scam and refused to pay, leading to a confrontation. The scammers, who were aggressive and tried to intimidate them, were eventually exposed as fake when the writer and her mother stood firm and refused to back down. The bus driver was also implicated in the scam. The writer and her mother managed to escape the bus and avoided losing money to the scammers. They later learned that this type of scam is common in Paris and that the scammers often work with the bus drivers.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The writer and her mom were on a bus in Paris.
2. They bought 10 tickets that could be used on both the bus and the train.
3. The bus was very crowded, and the air quality was poor.
4. The writer and her mom tried to swipe their tickets, but there was no machine.
5. A bus driver ignored them when they asked for help.
6. Three people, who claimed to be bus inspectors, approached them and demanded payment.
7. The writer and her mom refused to pay, showing them their valid tickets.
8. The "inspectors" became aggressive and tried to intimidate them.
9. The writer realized that it was a scam and that the "inspectors" were not real.
10. The scammer's behavior was aggressive and pushy, with no room for questions or explanation.
11. The writer's mom was initially panicked, but eventually, they both stood up to the scammers.
12. The bus driver was in on the scam and tried to prevent them from getting off the bus.
13. The writer and her mom managed to escape by pushing and shoving their way through the scammers.
14. During the altercation, the writer's hair was pulled, and her jacket pocket was ripped.
15. The writer and her mom got off the bus and avoided the scammers.
16. They later researched the scam and found that it was a common problem in Paris.
17. The scammers were not breaking any laws, as there was no specific law against this type of scam.
18. The writer and her mom saved over $200 by not giving in to the scammers.