Those who Bootleg History Are Doomed to Profit From It

20-something Chinese guy: You know what? Chinese people discovered America.
20-something Black guy: Bullshit.
20-something Chinese guy: It’s true! There’s an article on CNN showing we discovered America, there are maps. Chinese were here first before everyone else. Chinese people did everything before everyone else. White people take credit for everything, but now it’s coming out that Chinese made all of these discoveries first. Don’t you see a pattern? We’re the shit.
20-something Black guy: The only pattern I see is that you motherfuckers pirate and resell every DVD, and now you’re trying to bootleg history.

–Chinatown

Overheard by: Ricky

Posted on April 12, 2015
Black People, Chinatown, Chinese, Knock-Offs, Multiculturalism, Overheard Style

The Beauty of Cantonese (A NYC Short Story)

Two Chinese men sit down on the bench next to a sleeping homeless man trying to sleep.

Hobo: Ah, hell no! You’re not going to start having a conversation like that at 3 in the fuckin’ morning…I ain’t got no motherfucking subtitle button on me!

–49th Street station

Overheard by: Schweiz

Posted on March 31, 2015
Chinese, Hobos, Language Barrier, Midtown & Hell's Kitchen, Multiculturalism, Overheard Style, Subway Stations

No! Focus on Hating the White Devil!

Black chick: Watch who you pushing! You pushing me ever again, I’m gonna Bruce Lee your ass, motherfucker! Say you’re sorry, chink!
Chinese guy: Go fuck yourself!

–Utopia Parkway

Overheard by: Ting

Posted on February 7, 2015
Black People, Chinese, Insults, Threats, Violence

Fine, I’ll Count My Blessings. Whatever.

Woman receiving massage: Do you fix a broken heart?
Chinese masseuse: What? What you say. Heart? Pain? Heart not good?
Woman: I said, do you fix a broken heart?
Chinese masseuse: Hmmm… You heart is good! No bad! No worry! You healthy — very, very good!
Woman: Oh… Good…

–Massage parlor, Mott St

Posted on January 9, 2015
Chinese, Health and Hygiene, Store, Women

Actually, Mr. Magoo, He is Jewish

Girl #1: Wait, why did you call her a Chink?
Amerasian girl: Because that’s what she is!
Guy #1: That’s not very politically correct.
Guy #2: Yeah, she’s Oriental.

–6 Train

Overheard by: Ken Yapelli

Posted on January 3, 2015
Asians, Chinese, Stupidity

NYC Public Bathrooms Are Multi-Multi-Purpose Spaces

Man in bathroom stall to old Chinese man persistently knocking on his door: Look, I only got in here just now. Stop knocking! I'm gonna learn Chinese just to tell you how it is.
Man using urinal: Don't be hatin'.
Man in bathroom stall: Don't be stupid!

–Columbus Park

Posted on December 26, 2014
Chinese, Insults, Language Barrier, Men, Stupidity, Upper West Side & Lincoln Center

It’s Lunchtime, New York!

Black guy: I want pork fried rice with fried wonton, a shrimp roll, and wonton soup…Hey! Did you hear me?!
Counter lady: Yes, yes…pork spare ribs.

–Chinese takeout, Madison & Rutgers

Overheard by: Joe R

Posted on December 15, 2014
Black People, Cashiers, Chinese, Ethnic Food, Restaurants & Cafes

Just Like Some Rectangles Are Squares, and Some NYC Women Have Frontal Lobe Damage

Man: That place isn’t Chinese, it’s Japanese.
Woman: Yeah, but some Chinese are Japanese.

–42nd & Madison

Overheard by: Matthew K Johnson

Posted on September 24, 2014
Chinese, Japanese, Race

No Countries That Both Have PSP-Playing Citizens Have Ever Gone to War. Right?

Chinese woman, sobbing to her husband: [Furious, angry Chinese] PSP! [More angry Chinese]Dominican kid, walking by: Yeah! PSP!

–Forsyth & Broome

Overheard by: Peter

Posted on August 19, 2014
Chinese, Dominicans, Language Barrier, Lower East Side, Video Games

A Homeless Miss Manners

Vagrant: Can you help a homeless man get something to eat? Huh? Ma’am? Did you say no? I can’t hear you!
Chinese Lady: No.
Vagrant: She said no! People, let me hear you!

–6 Train

Posted on July 17, 2014
Chinese, Hobos, Homeless, On the Subway, Panhandling, Women