People really value getting things for “free” over working for them.

Don’t believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free.

Is this a saying? Google isn't returning anything, and I've can't think of a florist structure, where what you were actually buying was obscured.

I wouldn't expect the quality of the free roses to be very good though.

It’s a line from a Ween song from 1994 that I first heard as a cover by Phish at a show in ‘99

Amazing Robotic Ween Music Video Version: https://youtu.be/jogJHY-h7n8

Great Live Phish Version: https://youtu.be/-18cAiRCur0

— ROSES ARE FREE

Take a piece of tinsel and put it on the tree Cut a slab of melon and pretend that you still love me Carve out a pumpkin and rely on your destiny Get in your car and cruise the land of the brave and the free

But don't forget to understand exactly what you put on the tree Don't believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free

Take a wrinkled raisin, and do with it what you will Push it into third if you know you're gonna climb a hill Eat plenty of lasagna 'til you know that you've had your fill Resist all the urges that make you wanna go out and kill

But don't forget to understand exactly what you put on the tree Don't believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free

Throw that pumpkin at the tree Unless you think that pumpkin holds your destiny Cast it off into the sea Bake that pie and eat it with me -

In tourist destinations around europe (particularly Italy) there are people who go around with a bunch of roses and will try fairly forcefully to give a free one to your partner then fairly persistantly request a donation from you. Guessing thats what they are referring to although calling them a florist seems a push.

Ok, never come across that, even in Italy, but would make sense.

> 10 minutes and he gets a pound

Come on, that's the least effective use of anyone's time I've ever heard of.

Before I started ignoring unknown numbers entirely, every time I got a scam call I would just tell them I needed a minute, ask them to hang on, and mute my phone while I went back to work. They'd usually stay on the line for 5-10 minutes. A bit tougher with this guy's scheme where there are regulatory requirements for transparency, etc. he's fined for not meeting, but I felt quite satisfied knowing that for 5 minutes, a scammer was taken out of circulation while I just went back to honest work. Required almost none of my actual time.

I’ve recently taken up trying to sell them my own brand of snake oil or the secret to immortality.

Don't forget he is just watching TV on his couch while doing it. He doesn't have to put on a uniform or commute anywhere. He doesn't even have to be actively participating in the conversation - just mumble a few things to keep them talking while he makes a sandwich or browses the internet...

it might not be a waste, especially if this becomes popular. if we all unite maybe we can stop organized lawful mass harassment over cellular telephony!

Nope, the article states he gets £0.70 - presumably the provider gets the other £0.30.