Girl on A train: Why are all the signs advertising English language courses written in English?
Brother in a white hat: So people can read it, stupid!
–A Train
Overheard by: Closely Watching on the A Train
Girl on A train: Why are all the signs advertising English language courses written in English?
Brother in a white hat: So people can read it, stupid!
–A Train
Overheard by: Closely Watching on the A Train
(toddler speaks incoherent babble and falls. Father picks her up)
Asian lady to white husband, in thick accent: Oh! Did you see baby! What did it say? What did it say? A chi bi ta bi da? Hahahaha! What did it say?
–Boathouse, Central Park
Overheard by: offended for the baby
Loud bridge and tunnel chick #1, reading the menu: Can someone translate this for me? What is “veal”?
Loud bridge and tunnel chick #2: Oh, oh, I've heard of that! It's a kind of fish.
–Serafina on Lafayette
Overheard by: Vivian Brodie
Woman #1: Oh my god! That crazy woman with her dog! I mean, really.
Woman #2: I know! And her dog is crazy too.
Woman #1: Well, her dog is pretty calm, it's just that she talks to it as if it can understand English.
Woman #2: Yeah, but I mean her dog just puts up with it.
–14th St
Elegantly dressed French lady, speaking to New York Bus Service representative: Excuse me, when does the bus arrive?
Overweight representative, screaming: The port authoritah bus come 'erry ha'f hour!
Elegantly dressed French lady (pausing and turning to French friend): Wow. And I thought my English sucked.
–Terminal One, JFK
Overheard by: James
White guy: Hi, I'd like a pork bun please.
Chinese bun saleswoman: Chicken bun?
White guy: Uh, no, a pork bun please.
Chinese bun saleswoman: Chicken bun?
White guy: Um, no. (points at pork bun) I'd like a pork bun. Pork.
Chinese bun saleswoman: Oh. (pause) Chicken bun?
White guy: Yes. Chicken bun.
Chinese bun saleswoman: Two dollar.
–Chinatown
Overheard by: Steve Major
Guy: Touche.
Girl: Isn't that Japanese for “okay”?
–F Train
Cowboy wearing a Florida Rebel flag belt buckle: You should go back to your own country, or learn to speak English!
Girl leaving train: Have fun in the Bronx, cowboy!
–D Train
Flyer guy: Comedy show tonight? Come on, I know you speak English.
Pissed-off Asian chick: Not for you.
–Times Square
Hot chick: You are never gonna get a job talking like that.
Thug: Yeah, you know, I can turn dis shit off and talk all professional and shit if I have to. (in professional voice): I can speak in a manner which is becoming to a young professional and present myself as an upstanding member of society (now back to thug speak) nawmsayin'?
Hot chick (sarcastically, enunciating each word): Yes. I know what you are saying.
–6 Train
Overheard by: Joey Cards
