Slacker #1: You know that ships used to come up the river and dock in the West Village?
Slacker #2: Really, man?
Slacker #1: Yeah, really. They used to let the sailors out there…yeah, that’s where the term “Hey Sailor” came from.
–Prince Street laundromat
Japanese girl: If this is New York, where are Old York?
Japanese Dad: I think that is in England.
–59th & 6th
Overheard by: Svein Brunstad
Guido to chef: Ew, that looks like raw fish! It looks like salmon! Is that fish?
Japanese chef, cheerfully: It’s chicken!
Guido: It looks like shit! I thought it was fish!
–Japanese Food Stand, Food Court, Staten Island Mall
Overheard by: Ashamed to be Italian…
D.O.M.: I really like your culture.
Cute Japanese bartender: You… like torture?
D.O.M.: What? No, no… Culture — culture.…
Bartender: [Silence.]D.O.M.: Culture. Man, how do I say this…?
Bartender: [Silence.]D.O.M.: … I like what you guys do.
Bartender, leery: Thanks…
–Japanese restaurant
Overheard by: aulevan
Awkward Japanese teacher: So you guys use text messages, right? Like… L‑O-L?
(students look confused)
(awkward Japanese teacher laughs)
Student, proudly: I know: L‑O-L sensei!
Awkward Japanese teacher: Oh em gee.
–Columbia University
Overheard by: vicksburg
Japanese student/tourist seemingly waiting for luggage: How long are you in New York for?
Woman waiting for luggage: Just for one night. I’m here for a conference and then I’m flying back tomorrow.
Japanese student/tourist: This is my fall break. I will be here through Tuesday.
Woman: That’s nice. I hope you go out and have a nice time.
Japanese student/tourist: Yes. (pause) Sex.
–JFK Airport
American guy #1: Remember when you were here last year, and Mike was spinning you around, and dropped you on your head?
Japanese girl: What?
American guy #2: Last year! In New York! You were here! I took your legs and went like this! I dropped you on your head!
Japanese girl: Yes! Yes! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
American guy #1: Dude, she loves it! Most girls, if you dropped them on their heads, would be like, “Fuck you, I’m never talking to you again.”
–C train
Man: That place isn’t Chinese, it’s Japanese.
Woman: Yeah, but some Chinese are Japanese.
–42nd & Madison
Overheard by: Matthew K Johnson
Average-sized woman on cell: He said “big boned.” Yeah, “you’re a big boned girl… Like your dad, kinda big boned.” (pause) Yeah, so, I didn’t really feel like eating much after that.
–Queens
Overheard by: bdlilrbt
Girl to friend: I always think I’m a thin person, but then I look into the mirror and realize I’m not.
–3rd & 13th
Super skinny Japanese girl: I brought my juice with me. Then I ordered dessert. But my juice just looked better than eating dessert.
–Downtown 1 Train
Overheard by: dignell
Middle aged women to friend: Yeah, we took her in for a few weeks. She was fine, but didn’t eat much. But that’s because she kind of has an eating disorder. (they burst out into a fit of laughter)
–F Train
Girl getting soda to friend: You know, it’s the ice that makes you fat. I heard that somewhere.
–Cafeteria, Marymount Manhattan
Overheard by: Hannah
Japanese toddler: Do they have jail in Japan?
Japanese dad: Yes, they have jail everywhere.
Japanese toddler: I want to go to jail!
Japanese dad: No, you don’t. You get killed in jail.
–Grand Central Terminal
Polite Japanese tourist: Excuse me, please. Can you give direction to Empire State Building?
Angry old man: Hell, no. It’s not like you people needed goddam directions to get to Pearl Harbor.
–Broadway
Overheard by: He’s sorta right
Hat Tip 🎩 to The Marketing Scientist