Subway stations, platforms, etc.

Tourist #1: This is the entrance, that’s the exit! You need to wait your turn in line to get out the right way.
Tourist #2, plowing through gate: Pshhh. Tourists!

–Times Square station

Overheard by: Ava

Tiny lady suit staring at stairs, to no one in particular: I wish someone would just carry me up…
Huge, burly guy: I’ll carry you.
Tiny lady suit: Ew! Gross!

–E station, 7th Ave

Conductor: You know what stop this is?
Alabaster college prep: Harlem?
Conductor: Mmm-hm… Hope you find what you’re looking for, son.

–125th St station, Harlem

Woman, while hugging man: What is this?
Man: Huh?
Woman, picking hair off his shirt: This is not my hair!

–42nd St station

Overheard by: Geneedwin

Professor-like man: Excuse me, are you a Muslim?
Muslim man, slightly hesitant: Yes, why?
Professor-like man: Well, I was hoping you could answer a question I have about the Koran that I’ve been wondering about for a while. [Muslim man nods.] Can you tell me everything the Koran says about female circumcision?
Muslim man: Is there a bus stop nearby?

–Outside Columbia University subway entrance

Overheard by: Matthew

MTA announcement: Due to an earlier incident, service on the number one line is running slowly. Please be patient.
Girl on stairs: Please be patient… What do they mean?

–59th St station

Overheard by: Sibyl

Man #1: What is going on here?
Man #2: They are filming the new Sex in the City movie with Sarah Jessica Parker. They have the entrance to the subway blocked off.
Man #1: Wonderful. I wouldn’t even know what Sarah Jessica Parker looks like.
Woman nearby: Hi. I’m Sarah Jessica Parker.
Man #1: Nice to meet you. Can I go home now?
Sarah Jessica Parker: Sure, go ahead.

–Outside 6 train entrance

Overheard by: Matt

Wannabe hipster girl: Hey, are you going to that Arcade Fire-LCD Soundsystem show later?
Hipster girl in gold and purple-striped tights: Nah… I was going to, but [sigh] there are just gonna be so many hipsters there…

–L train station, Graham Ave

Overheard by: Not a hipster

Teen homie #1: Nah, dude, I’m a man.
Teen homie #2: I’m older than you — how you a man?
Teen homie #1: ‘Cause I ain’t no virgin like you.

–86th St station

Suit #1, looking down at subway tracks: Man, you’ve got like a foot and a half of empty space there! Come on, how much would you do it for?
Suit #2: Lie down under a train?!
Suit #1: Yeah, man!
Suit #2: One hundred dollars.

–6 train platform, Grand Central

Overheard by: Christine