Etiquette

Customer: What time does the live entertainment begin?
Waiter: Around 11 p.m.
Customer: Can you call and ask them to start early? It’s eight p.m., and I’m here now.

–Rafina Taverna, 78th & York

Overheard by: Hobo Whisperer

Man: I love these chairs out here.
Guy at next table: I hate these chairs out here.
Man: Butt the fuck out of my conversation.
Guy at next table: Shut up, I just got back here. I got my ass blown off in Iraq.

–Max Restaurant, 4th St & Ave B

Loud girl: Get the fuck up.
Bewildered man: Huh?
Loud girl: You heard me, get the fuck up! Don’t you see that I’m a lady? Give me your damn seat, motherfucker! I’m a fucking lady. You’re supposed to give me your seat.
Bewildered man: Fuck you, bitch!

–Q10 bus, Queens

Overheard by: SarahJ

Thug teen: I wanna take out this fuckin’ book.
Librarian: Okay, well, go to the check-out desk.
Thug teen: I got to go to the other fuckin’ desk, mothafuckah?
Librarian: Yeah, motherfucker. The other fuckin’ desk.

–Brooklyn Library

20-something girl with mom, hands full: Could you hit One for me?
Man, pushing button: You’re welcome.
20-something girl: Oh! Thank you.
Man: Learn some manners.
20-something girl: Man, I’d tell you to fuck yourself if my mom wasn’t with me.

–20th St & 1st Ave

Girlfriend: I don’t know, wouldn’t that be sort of… unethical?
Boyfriend: No, it’s not! We just need to adjust our standards.

–Central Park

Friendly male barista: Hi, what can I do you for?
Stoner #1: I’m not a fuckin’ queer, man.
Stoner #2: Yeah, man. And even if he was, he’d be mine!

–Starbucks

Overheard by: The girl in line behind this guy

Chick: Are you hitting on me?
Guy: Do you have a boyfriend?
Chick: Do you know Eric Thompson*?
Guy: Nah, is he your boyfriend?
Chick: It’s complicated. Whatever, I’m gonna go pee [leaves].
Guy, reporting to group of friends: Yo, so I’m hitting on this girl, right? And then she stops me and is like, ‘Yo, are you hitting on me?’
Chick, opening bathroom door: Asshole, I hear you taking about me.
Guy: Shut up and go take a piss, bitch.

–Party, 116th & Broadway

Woman holding baby: I love your hat!
Man with hat: I like your… baby.

–F train

Overheard by: Jane

Girl: My life is kind of boring for how cool I am.

–Greenwich & Perry, West Village

Overheard by: B-rooke

Hobo: It’s kind of rough being the most handsome toothless guy in the world.

–Washington Square Park fountain

30-ish hipster wannabe: How can you not see how amazing I am?

–53rd St & 8th Ave

Overheard by: Someone still looking for something amazing.

Asian girl on cell: I’m not elitist, I’m just better than everyone else.

–59th & 5th

Angry rastafarian: What are you looking at? I am the best crazy Jesus-believer ever!

–5 train

Overheard by: believed him