The Hustle Culture - Books do Change People

Books do Change People - the hustle culture

He arrived in France in 2018. He's 46. He's definitely been through some heavy stuff in his life. You can see it on his face. Lots of wrinkles, a weathered look.

He's done his fair share in the bitter cold. He doesn't speak French that well. He's got enough to get by. The basics. He's had a hard time integrating here. You gotta be in the system early in France to make it. Those late arrivals got it hard.

He's trying to make it work. He's got no choice. He's at the flea market daily. It's manual. He starts at 5:30am. He's there unloading delicate artwork and other brocante stuff for the main boss to sell. He makes about €5 per truck.

He's getting yelled at from all angles to go faster, yet he's gotta be real careful with those century old pieces. One tear or one mishap sends him out of town. Some guys are nicer than others. It's tough, but he's got no choice.

On a good day he's got €15 by 7:30am. I see him later on doing his rounds in the touristy part of town near the cathedral. He's asking for a bit of cash. He's loud.

He's got a real keen eye for detail now. He knows his margins. The rare bits he's gotta get a bit more educated on, but that goes for 90% out there each morning.

After three long years he's ready. He's got enough stuff for a six-foot table. He's in a spot with good foot traffic. He's stressed, but excited. He's earned it for sure.

It's a February morning. Cold and slightly damp. It's not impacting him at all. He woke up today at 4:30am to prepare. He's got his suitcase and one large bag. He gets to the market and sets up. He gets a few looks from the veterans as if to say "how did you get there?"

He keeps his head down. It's all business. He takes out the watches first. He's got 10 to sell — a mix of Casio, Swatch and a few lesser known brands. They're all sellable. He's tested them.

He's also got some gently used hoodies, polos and a few sneakers –-- all name brands. He has one clutch Louis V bag he got a few years ago. He got it from a retired trader. He knows it will go. It's immaculate.

He puts down his prized possession. A three-volume set of medical books. The docs used them back in the day to diagnose and treat unusual diseases. They're gently used. They've been looked after. He's preserved them in clear plastic bags, away from the cold and damp.

He's got it all priced out in his mind. He knows how low he can go in order to make it worth it.

The table is getting there — just a few more updates on placement. It's all about where the eye goes first. He knows this well.

It's 6:47 am. He's prepared. Pierre, his first potential customer stops and has a look. Pierre looks up, does a double take and sort of winks to acknowledge the new player in the game. He knows he's got something real here. Pierre is into books. He's both a collector and re-seller.

Of course, Pierre goes to the three-volume medical books first. Has a quick look at the spine. Pierre's excited, but doesn't really show it. He picks them up, examines everything up close. Everything matches up to his standards.

It's about to happen. His first deal. It's a big one. It could change his life for the next several months. He's gotta price it well enough to make it work for Pierre. It's all about a balance.

Pierre's a straight shooter. He says, "Listen, I'll pay €250 per volume." He stops and takes it all in. That's €750. He's got the rest of the stuff to sell too. He wants to get a few euros more, but knows when to haggle. This isn't the time. He says to Pierre "Yes" in an excited but not too excited tone.

Pierre knows this is a life changer. He's getting a deal, but both are winners this time around. He opens his wallet. It's clean, brown leather, minty fresh. He takes out fresh 50s and counts them. He wants to make sure none are stuck together. Pierre hands over the €750 and off goes the medical books.

He's got the €750 in hand and it's only the beginning. He's in the game now and 2018 is a blur in the past. He feels a sense of belonging.