Unfortunately, New Orleans has a large number of homeless and/or beggarly people who live in and around the tourist areas, and they like to harass tourists and locals alike. A common scam is to approach a "mark" and make a bet, along the lines of "I betcha I can tell you where you got them shoes." Once you engage them,they have you hooked.

So, Where you got dem shoes............"On da streets of New Orleans, mister" ..... Dat'll be ten bucks!