Nothing Like a Public Existential Crisis
Conductor #1, over PA: This train will make all express stops to Stillwell Avenue.
Conductor #2, over PA: What does that mean?
–Coney Island-bound F train, 4th Ave
To Make You Grateful to Be Childless
Man: Excuse me, but that kid’s screaming is ruining my museum experience.
Dad pushing stroller with shrieker inside: Listen, pal, she’s two years old–
Man: –So why did you bring her?!
–Ancient Near East Galleries, the Met
Wednesday One-Liners Just Did It for the Organs
Woman to her crying child: A man is going to take you.
–Barnes & Noble
Asian mom to child in stroller: You feel trapped? Well, so do I. Now you know how I feel.
–51st & 3rd
Mom to whining child: Too bad, so sad. Your mom looks like your dad.
–JFK
Mom on cell: Shut the hell up or you’re not going to choir camp…
–32nd & Lex
Mom to screaming toddler: If you could stop doing that, I’d appreciate it.
–Ascan Ave & Queens Blvd
via Overheard in New York, Sep 19, 2007
“A man is going to take you”!?! Is that a threat? An explanation? (as in ‘don’t worry about how you’ll get to choir camp, a man is going to take you’). A promise maybe?
I’m hoping the trapped kid was too small to understand the implications of his/her mum’s comment. Please say it is so.
I love what you overhear.