Men selling flowers on side of the road. What's the story behind that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If always heard that they had to sell them to pay their mule fees for being brought here.

Lawdy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a business like any other. What is there to think about?

Well, it's not exactly common in other cities.

You must live a sheltered life. I've seen this in many, many cities in the U.S. and around the world. They are doing what they can to make a living. I don't find it at all unusual. They will tell you the price if you ask. Sheesh. It's not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, nobody knows what they charge? I have been tempted to buy them, as they look fresh, but didn't want to end up haggling with them about the price, or fishing in my purse for the right amount. If I could get the right amount out in advance, I might buy them. Hasn't anybody ever bought one? I personally have never seen anybody buy one.

Maybe they are really undercover cops? I mean, if nobody ever buys from them, why are they out there otherwize?

I used to buy them occasionally for my MIL, when I was on my way to see her, since her home is close to one of the "spots" and she loves fresh flowers. Dudes at the intersection of Veirs Mill and Connecticut--$10. Quality is decent. The first time I asked how much, the guy said $20. I said no, he asked for an offer, I said $10 and he took it. Every time after that, I just held up a $10 bill, even if it was a different person selling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, nobody knows what they charge? I have been tempted to buy them, as they look fresh, but didn't want to end up haggling with them about the price, or fishing in my purse for the right amount. If I could get the right amount out in advance, I might buy them. Hasn't anybody ever bought one? I personally have never seen anybody buy one.

Maybe they are really undercover cops? I mean, if nobody ever buys from them, why are they out there otherwize?

I used to buy them occasionally for my MIL, when I was on my way to see her, since her home is close to one of the "spots" and she loves fresh flowers. Dudes at the intersection of Veirs Mill and Connecticut--$10. Quality is decent. The first time I asked how much, the guy said $20. I said no, he asked for an offer, I said $10 and he took it. Every time after that, I just held up a $10 bill, even if it was a different person selling.

A single stem flower usually cost $2. In other places around the county folks sell fruit, cold bottles of water, crafty tissue paper flowers and various other things on the corner. it's pretty common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know what they even charge?

I've purchased some for my 12 year old daughter before. They were $5 for 3 roses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know what they even charge?

I've purchased some for my 12 year old daughter before. They were $5 for 3 roses.

PP here, it was on South Dakota Ave. in NE DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a business like any other. What is there to think about?

Well, it's not exactly common in other cities. It might seem weird to an outsider.

It's common in most any city. Do you travel much?

[Anonymous]

Illegal immigrants. Cash under the table jobs devoid of paying income taxes. They have similar types of hawkers everywhere in 2nd world countries, so naturally they bring those types of cultures here with them because they cannot get legal jobs that require I9 verification and/or an education. There are roadside vendors everywhere in silver spring selling sugar cane, random snacks, and other street foods...it looks like Central and South America. All cash of course. What's there to explain?

[Anonymous]

I had a high school teacher that sold flowers in MoCo as a side hustle. Not everyone with brown skin is an immigrant.

[Anonymous]

Leave it to DCUM to repeat a bunch of urban legends and class based assumptions! You guys read a single clickbait article and then go around acting like you know what’s what.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a business like any other. What is there to think about?

So they have a license to do this business?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had heard that they were part of some religious group or cult and coerced into selling them and the money goes back to the group…can't remember details, though.

The moonies. Apparently they don’t sell flowers anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If always heard that they had to sell them to pay their mule fees for being brought here.

This is more likely. They are not undercover cops. The kid (maybe 18-19?) near us has to stay out there until he sells them all or he eats the cost. So even in the pouring rain he's out there with his roses. English is limited, but he's a very nice young man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I want to know is what's up with the disabled people you see on the corners of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road? I feel bad for them but have always wondered how they get to those locations to beg if they are disabled. Do they get dropped off?

Narrator: They're not actually disabled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I want to know is what's up with the disabled people you see on the corners of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road? I feel bad for them but have always wondered how they get to those locations to beg if they are disabled. Do they get dropped off?

There is a 1/2 way house 3 blocks from that intersection