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I commute into NYC pretty often, but I usually stick to non-touristy areas and don’t deal with much street hustle. Today I was near the Rockefeller Center tree — definitely a heavier tourist zone — and ran into one of those guys who try to hand you a “free” CD and then pressure you for money.

I knew the deal, so I just kept walking and didn’t engage. As I walked past, the guy suddenly said, “What, you don’t like Black people?” The comment completely threw me off. I didn’t respond because I didn’t want things escalating, but it stuck with me afterward. It felt like he was trying to guilt-trip me into stopping or provoke some kind of reaction.

Is this a common tactic in those areas? Anyone else run into something like this around Rockefeller or other tourist spots?