A reader writes of the latest marketing stunt, occuring on the corner of 6th Avenue and 57th Street:

This morning I was accosted by a gaysian in an Air France tshirt, offering me a copy of the Times and a rose. Apparently its Air France's 60th Anniversary and they are teaming up with the Times. I was handed a copy of the Times wrapped around a red rose. The promoter, who was a little too happy and squealy this early in the morning, informed me that I could win a trip to Paris and details were inside the Times. It was a little bizarre.

So we've gone from handing out free papers to handing out free papers, a flower, and contest information. Unfortunately, we don't really associate the Times and roses with Paris. If Air France were serious, they'd be teaming with the International Herald Tribune and handing out Gauloises. But leave it to the Times ad sales gurus to ruin your chance at scoring free smokes. Assholes.