tourists-travel-scam

I was studying abroad in Switzerland and a few of my roommates and I took a weekend trip to Milan. One of the street vendors put one of those braided bracelets on my wrist while I wasn't looking. They were slick. I barely even felt it and didn't turn to see it until it was already tied and it was on there tight so I couldn't just pull it off on the spot. Of course he wanted me to pay him for his goods and services. Cue my male, Scandinavian (I'm female and American) roommates absolutely screaming at the dude in my defense before I could even get a bearing on what was going on. They were normally so mild mannered that I was completely taken aback by their sudden aggression. Made a point to always travel with these guys from that point forward.