Help me recall a word

[gibson cornwell]

I recently ran accross a french word or expression for someone who spends a lot of time in a shop and takes up a lot of the owner's time but then leaves without buying anything. Can you help me remember what this is?

[George Hunt]

We had an expression for that.It was tw's !

I don't know if it was  common currency or just something we made up between ourselves.

I have no idea what an equivalent expression might be in French  (a Gege?)

 

.

[Chantal Savignat]

I have no idea about this expression. it's not used currently.

the opposite is more frequent.

[George Hunt]

The opposite?

Someone who comes in to a shop  and very quickly  makes a very large (or any size)  purchase (without requiring very much assistance) ?

[Chantal Savignat]

yes !

"a shopaholic" in english = "une accro du shopping" en français

this expression is used

[George Hunt]

 or like Janet Leigh in Psycho when she has to buy a getaway car from the puzzled salesman..

[Chantal Savignat]

oh i don't remember but it's a good idea to see again this film, in english (with subtitles of course ;-)) ... thanks.

[George Hunt]

Not sure if you want your English corrected but it is

oh iI  don't remember but it's a good idea to see again this film again , in Eenglish (with subtitles of course ;-)) ... thanks.

In the scene in question Janet Leigh has stolen (broken a confidence)  the week's takings from her place of work  and has left town in her car. She drives through the night  and in the morning is awoken at the side of the road by a policeman who follows her car  into town.

She stops at a car dealership and  buys a new car from the salesman with the stolen cash that she has in her hand bag.

Since she is feeling guilty (and there is a policeman openly looking at her from across the street) she is in a great hurry to complete the purchase without the usual bargaining or taking a test drive.

[Chantal Savignat]

si, si  I don't know how to say si, si (to say yes)

so yes I'm happy that you correct my English (and I think I need ;-))

thank you.