Questions

Guy: So I was like, “Well, then I'm glad I gave you a black eye after I fucked you!”
Girl: Oh my gosh, are you Jewish?

–49th St & 9th Ave

Overheard by: Natalie

30-something girlfriend: Will you calm down?
30-something boyfriend: I drank red wine!

–Lafayette & Prince

Overheard by: Jon A.

Thugged-out black mailroom-type guy: So, you know Liz on the 10th floor?
Thugged-out white mailroom-type guy: Yeah, what about her?
Thugged-out black mailroom-type guy: I was trying to tell her that she needs to stop fuckin with me.
Thugged-out white mailroom-type guy: Yeah, what'd she say?
Thugged-out black mailroom-type guy: Bitch hung up in my face.
Thugged-out white mailroom-type guy: Yeah?
Thugged-out black mailroom-type guy: Yeah. I called her back.
Thugged-out white mailroom-type guy: Yeah, what'd you say?
Thugged-out black mailroom-type guy: I said, “Yo, Liz! That was like maaaad unprofessional and shit.”

–1 Train

Overheard by: MissUNYC

Old man to teenagers dancing in line ahead of him: What are you kids listening to? Looks like fun!
Teenage boy, aggressively: We're dancing to Lady Gaga's “Bad Romance.” You don't know her.
Old man: I love her! I'm seeing her concert at Radio City Music Hall!
(teenagers stare, speechless)

–Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center

Overheard by: James

Toddler: Daddy, are there still rats down here?
Cheerful-sounding father: Of course!

–1 Train

Girl #1: What do you mean?
Girl #2: I mean, it sucks to be her. I'd be pissed too if I got an STD after having sex with an illegal immigrant.

–NYU Dorm

Young black man, pointing to young black woman's reusable Trader Joe's bag: Where'd you get that?
Young woman: I don't know.
Young man: That's where white people shop, yo.

–Jamaica Ave & Parsons

Overheard by: white person

Overeager middle-aged guy: So, when are you guys going to show A Perfect Storm?
Snotty hipster barista: Uh… Never.

–Mudd Cafe, before 1950s Art Film Screening

Overheard by: Charles

Student: Why is there a biology textbook on your desk?
English teacher: Because I'm in love with life and the way it's made.
(15 seconds later)
English teacher: Not that way! You guys are gross!

–Hunter College High School

Columbia student to another: When I get rich, I'm totally having the sweat glands in my armpits removed.

–Columbia University

Undergrad to friend: So I should tell you about today's existential crisis…

–Columbia University

Overheard by: Katie Naum

Guy to group of friends: Hey, you guys ever watch that video in health ed, of disabled people having sex? It was upsetting.

–Columbia University

Overheard by: L-Dubbs

Columbia undergrad: I am taking so many classes right now, like 18 credits, cause I have no clue what to do with my life. Part of me wants to go to business school here because I can make a lot of money fast, and part of me wants to go to law school here because it's more practical and will make me more over the long run. But then I am also in this class on genocide, which is a topic I love. So maybe I will do something with that instead.

–Max Cafe, 122nd & Amsterdam Ave

Overheard by: reluctantprof