Patriotic

Walking down the street in Manhattan yesterday, I saw this guy from far away and couldn’t imagine what he was doing in a Statue of Liberty suit – although I have seen much weirder things on a regular basis. Getting closer, I realized he is working on the street handing out business cards for an income tax firm. At first he was just leaning back against the wall, looking cold and miserable. However, I coerced him into posing for me and even got a great smile out of him and made him laugh. I have no idea what he might be hiding under that bump. The things you have to do to make a buck!

Nothing special as a photo, but I thought he fit the theme well.

25 thoughts on “Patriotic”

Bobbi Dunn on February 4, 2011 at 9:27 am said:

We have these guys in our town, too, doing the same thing – attracting customers. I wonder if it is effective advertising?

Reply ↓
- Gisele on February 4, 2011 at 9:30 am said:
  
  I would say not effective. I can’t imagine my tax guy sending somebody out to do this!
  
  Reply ↓
Tammy on February 4, 2011 at 9:51 am said:

This is really fun! Not so sure I would go to a pregnant statue of liberty to get my taxes done though lol

Reply ↓
Tony on February 4, 2011 at 10:05 am said:

it’s a very special photo, indeed, I like it, gives me a very good idea of how it might be in Manhattan. And, you have done a very good job in making him smile. It’s great! Never have been there. Alas.

Reply ↓
- Gisele on February 4, 2011 at 10:13 am said:
  
  I can usually coax a smile or at least permission to photograph most people. New York is actually a very friendly place, despite its reputation. Tony, I hope you make it here one day. In the meantime, I’ll try to show you what it’s like through photos.
  
  Reply ↓
Misty on February 4, 2011 at 11:34 am said:

We have those people all over the place here except they are smiling and waving and having a grand old time. I’m sure our warmer temps help a lot with the perky attitude. 🙂

Reply ↓
Christina, Sweden on February 4, 2011 at 11:41 am said:

weird, what’s that got to do with taxes,,,, anyway you made a nice happy portrait of it

Reply ↓
Shelley on February 4, 2011 at 1:28 pm said:

Definitely an original. Great job getting him to smile. It makes the shot a lot more fun. I’m like Tammy though, not too sure I’d trust a pregnant Statue of Liberty to do my taxes.

Reply ↓
danudin on February 4, 2011 at 2:08 pm said:

He sure ain’t dumb that looks like a steam vent that he is standing on, Choice spot Cool Shot!

Reply ↓
- Gisele on February 4, 2011 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  II have learned a long time ago not to ask anybody what’s under their coat!
  
  Reply ↓
terri on February 4, 2011 at 4:50 pm said:

They dress up here as well for likely that same company. His reflection looks a little devilish, no offense to him, I was wondering about the ummm bump as well. Maybe its just the wind, LOL.

Reply ↓
Bobbie on February 4, 2011 at 10:15 pm said:

As I keep saying to my children, “Go to college and get a good education so you won’t end up doing that for a living.” I admire your diplomatic skills to coax that coy smile after a poor fellow who’s freezing his buns off and probably being paid a pittance under the table for it.

Reply ↓
- Gisele on February 4, 2011 at 10:53 pm said:
  
  a simple “hey! Can I take your picture? Come on…..pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease” did the trick 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
regularman on February 4, 2011 at 10:39 pm said:

Nice shot Gisele .. and it’s great that you got such a wonderful smile from him. Like Ron, I wonder about the steam grate he was standing on. Is that what’s causing his robe to billow, similar to (but very different from) the classic Marilyn Monroe shot?

Reply ↓
- Gisele on February 4, 2011 at 10:49 pm said:
  
  if he is going to do a Marilyn Monroe move, I’m hoping he is at least wearing underwear. I never take that as a given in this city!
  
  Reply ↓
Jacki on February 4, 2011 at 11:22 pm said:

I’m not sure that that particular shade of blue/green suits him, but the headgear and the grin make up for it. Did you ask him how much longer he had to go…..

Reply ↓
Jobascraps on February 4, 2011 at 11:50 pm said:

I’ve never experienced this- for a tax company! Is the statue of liberty suppose to represent freedom from paying taxes?? Wouldn’t that be great! And what is that bump? Air blowing up from the vent? A very interesting photo

Reply ↓
Steven on February 5, 2011 at 10:07 am said:

It’s Lady Liberty for Liberty Tax service, right? Though he is no lady, though he looks pregnant. I think this is one of the things kim2900 does for her accounting firm.

Reply ↓
Mary Lou on February 5, 2011 at 7:23 pm said:

I feel very badly for the people doing this around here. It was 4 degrees F yesterday and who knows what the wind chill was and there he was standing and waving as the cars went by.

Reply ↓
Patty on February 5, 2011 at 8:39 pm said:

got to love nyc!

Reply ↓
Clara Williams on February 6, 2011 at 9:06 pm said:

These guys are all over the place. We have them here, also. A great photo that makes you want to look twice.

Reply ↓
Madelaine on February 7, 2011 at 9:49 pm said:

A unique take on patriotic for sure! Great catch!

Reply ↓
KarenAnn on February 10, 2011 at 12:01 am said:

So many unusual sights in your city! You should never run out of inspiration! Love seeing them.

Reply ↓
Kim2900 on February 25, 2011 at 10:42 am said:

Always late to the party………I am just now seeing this! 😉

As one who works in a CPA firm, I find this wrong and disturbing on sooooo many levels! Plus, I think he’s working my corner!!!! (ha ha ha, Steven!) 😛

Reply ↓
- Gisele on February 25, 2011 at 10:44 am said:
  
  Kim – You can always come and push him off the corner, New York style!
  
  Reply ↓