Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "rip-offs"

So I had a very interesting time in New York City last weekend.
Trying to ignore the fact that it was freezing cold, I took the 9:46 Metro North commuter train to Grand Central. From there I took the 6 Train to the Flatiron District, where I joined a couple of people from the Memoirs Only Book Club for brunch. We discussed Life on the Line by Grant Achatz. Although I hadn't finished the book, I enjoyed the conversation... and the food.
Afterwards, I ventured back into the cold with camera in hand. I planned to do some street photography before heading uptown to get some shots of the Manhattan skyline from Top of the Rock.
I had walked less than a block when I stumbled upon a street fair where vendors were selling food, jewelry and durable goods. At one booth, two women were doing astrological readings. I had no intention of having for one, but one of the women accosted me.
To make a long story short, she insisted on reading my palm -- for a small fee. Reluctantly I agreed, and listened while she told me about my past, present and future. Sometimes she spoke in generalizations, making statements that could apply to anyone. She could have reached some conclusions by reading body language. Some of her questions and predictions were uncanny.
She asked me about the significance of California and Florida, and it just so happens that I recently entered literary contests in those states. I don't know how she could have known about that, unless she had some sort of super-duper X-Ray scanning device that saw the post office receipts in my wallet.
The reading went on... and on. I grew increasingly wary as it continued. There had to be a catch -- and of course there was.
I learned that there is a lot of negativity in my life and that I am spiritually weak. I needed five crystals to restore my spiritual balance, thereby "fixing" everything in my life for a mere $500.
That did it. I'd had enough, and expressed my opinion in no uncertain terms. It was one thing to fleece unsuspecting people out of a few dollars for a reading. Fleecing someone out of a few hundred dollars is another thing altogether.
Call it karma or call it fate, but I got the last laugh. I'd agreed to let this woman do the reading for $20. But when I looked, I only had $17 in my wallet...
Until next time, "That's life.."