Tourist mother: Wait, do they call it ground zero because it’s on zero street?
Tourist son: I’m pretty sure that’s not why, mom.
Tourist mother: Well, then what’s the address?
–E Train
Overheard by: Andrew Larsen
Archive for 2010
Wasn’t This an Episode Of Criminal Intent?
Curator: These were done in live performances. Yves Klein actually used bodies to create these pieces!
Woman: Oh my god!
Curator, smiling: Yeah.
Woman, with horrified expression: Dead bodies!?
Curator: No, live people. (proceeds to laugh awkwardly)
–MoMA
Overheard by: Sarah
…But I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Have to Mug You Now.
Boy on street with basketball to car honking horn non-stop: Shut up!
Girl walking by: Well done! I love New York.
–Flushing, Queens
Notice That Little Puddle on the Floor?
Out-of-place preppy: Hey, I think that’s Grace. Isn’t that Grace, dude? Grace! Grace!
Not Grace: Nope, sorry. It’s Beth, actually. (keeps walking)
Not Grace’s girlfriend: You know, you didn’t have to tell them your real name.
Not Grace: I know, I just got excited.
–2nd Ave
Overheard by: Also Not Grace.
…He’d Like a Large Pepperoni Pizza, Please.
Construction man to Indian restaurant server: Can I get a chicken lo mein?
Server: Uh… That’s Chinese food, this is an Indian food restaurant. The Chinese take-out is next door, but it’s closed.
Construction man to walkie talkie: Hey, Charlie, this is a Thai place and they don’t have chicken lo mein. Want something else instead?
–Indian Restaurant, Brooklyn Bridge
Overheard by: HungryMan
Nobody Said AA Was Easy
Hobo #1: So they said I had to do this ree-conciliation.
Hobo #2: Uh-huh.
Hobo #1: Tell you what, man: they can ree-conciliate deze nuts!
–Bowery Mission
Overheard by: h.g. #3
Americans Are Always Arguing About Their Rights
Passerby to driver making illegal turn: No red on right in Manhattan!
Driver: Well, I’m from Philly, so whatever!
–44th St
Overheard by: Rose Fox
Teachers’ Union: D’Oh!
Girl to guy on packed train: I’m a teacher.
Guy: (silence)
Girl: No, I don’t drink a lot.
Guy: (silence)
Girl: I get high every weekend as soon as I get away from the little monsters. There’s no drug testing because of the teachers union.
–LIRR
Overheard by: Joshua
…Who Knew There’d Be Cars There?
Girl: Dave, you got hit by a car, so I cannot trust you crossing the street.
Dave: I ran into the street.
–Graham & Jackson, Williamsburg
Is He a Product Tester?
Suit #1: So my cousin in Scranton is also pregnant.
Suit #2: Yeah, what’s the father like?
Suit #1: Complete loser.
Suit #2: Sucks, man. What does he do for work again?
Suit #1: Heroin.
–27th & 3rd
Overheard by: Chris Haddad
