This is a common scam in Istanbul - the shoeshine guys who drop one of their brushes right in front of unsuspecting tourists. When the tourist picks up the brush and calls them back, they act all grateful and offer a 'free' shoeshine as thanks. Then during the course of the shoeshine they can have a sob story about their circumstances, hoping that you can help them out, or just demand payment for the shoeshine. If you refuse, they can have friends on standby, who may be able to 'persuade' you to contribute to the 'fund'.
Here it is in action: the brush is attached on a little hook on the back of his shoeshine box. He looks over his shoulder to make sure his target (me) is in place, then very skilfully knocks the box against his leg and the brush falls off right in front of me.
This guy thought he was setting me up, while in fact I just wanted to capture on video how they go about catching unsuspecting targets. I love afterwards the nonchalant way he looks over the bridge before picking up his 'dropped' brush. This was on Galata Bridge, and on my walk across the bridge, I was targeted three times. Great fun, once you are aware of what is happening.
