While eavesdropping is frowned upon, some people simply speak loud enough to be heard even if you aren’t trying to listen. This can happen even in the bustling city of New York. Needless to say, you’d be surprised at the amusing things you can overhear while other people aren’t aware you’re listening. Here are some of the funniest New York encounters that people couldn’t stop talking about.
In New York City, many people use the subway. It’s a highly efficient mode of transportation, especially given how bad traffic can be. On the other hand, on the subway, you have to interact with people in a much more personal way, and some people are awful. The bumpy nature of the ride, and the way it can sometimes knock people into each other, irritated this woman. But isn’t that ridiculous? People will bump into each other if you’re on a crowded train. That’s just the way things are.
Who Brings a Baby?
Let’s face it: most people dislike babies, with the exception of their own children. When our children are our own, we overlook how annoying and loud they can be, but when they aren’t, babies irritate people. We can’t say that we blame them.
However, it’s a little silly to wonder why anyone would bring a baby to New York City. Perhaps they live there and wish to start a family? Maybe they already had a family and decided to move? Isn’t it reasonable to expect there to be babies in such a densely populated city?
A Different Crutch
Some people look down on others who “need” some sort of substance to get them through the day, even if it’s something as simple as coffee. To begin with, that’s obnoxious and snobbish. Second, if you’re the same type of person, you’ve got nothing to stand on.
In fact, compared to coffee, we believe Adderall is a worse crutch for getting through the day. Although there’s nothing wrong with Adderall, it’s probably not meant to be taken on a daily basis.
Compelled to Share
Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone gave you a disclaimer before you started dating them? Wouldn’t it be nice if they just told you they were obsessive or a neat freak — or even of dubious moral integrity — before you started dating them?
To be honest, we don’t think something as minor as adult braces should have any bearing on whether or not you want to get to know someone, but the guy in this story did a great job in informing this stranger. Perhaps that stranger was just trying to be friendly in the first place.
Endgame Spoilers
When a film has been in the works for more than a decade, it’s understandable that fans wouldn’t want any spoilers, as the experience hinges on you going to the theater blindfolded. In the case of Avengers: Endgame, this was the case.
However, some people were so paranoid about spoilers that they saw them even when none existed. It just so happened that such an occurrence was awkward and insensitive in this case, though the Marvel fan wasn’t being deliberately obtuse.
The Sound of Silence
Some people enjoy interacting with strangers in public. Others would prefer that strangers avoid them entirely. When the two sides meet, things can get a little awkward — though anyone who overhears it can find it amusing.
This guy deserves praise for paying a stranger a compliment. On the other hand, seeing someone wearing headphones in public sends a pretty clear message about whether or not they want to interact with others.
Well Yeah, Maybe
Bicycling is a great way to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles while also providing an excellent source of exercise. Bicycles, however, are still subject to certain traffic laws, particularly if they are ridden near cars.
So, while this woman is doing the right thing for the environment and herself, if a cop tells you that you’re driving too fast, it’s most likely for a good reason. Everyone, including bike riders, needs to be safe.
Chump Change
$1.50 could buy you a whole carton of milk and several loaves of bread back in the day. In today’s world, that sum of money is unlikely to buy you much, regardless of where you live.
However, densely populated cities, such as New York City, which are also popular tourist destinations, are the worst. You’d be lucky if you got a stick of gum for $1.50, let alone anything else. This kid realized it even at such a young age.
He’s Right, Though!
Okay, we apologize to anyone who enjoys Crocs without irony, but we do agree that they are some of the worst shoes ever created. Wearing them as an adult sets a bad example for your children, there’s no doubt about that.
However, the latter is clearly a much worse example for the children than wearing Crocs and crossing a street in a dangerous manner. Don’t teach your children to do things that could endanger their lives.
It Is Pretty Funny
If you invite someone over to your house and they don’t have full control over their inhibitions, they might do something crazy. However, depending on your sense of humor, it could be quite amusing.
Sure, having your TV’s settings changed to Japanese would be inconvenient, but it’s also hilarious that this was the one thing this girl decided to do while intoxicated. You can’t help but wonder what she was thinking about.
An Apt Description
You might not know how to properly describe illnesses and ailments if you aren’t a medical professional. However, in some cases, a long and detailed description isn’t required to convey the message. You can achieve the same result by speaking in layman’s terms.
What’s the best way to explain pneumonia? Saying that your lungs aren’t doing their jobs properly is a good way to do it, especially if neither you nor your friend is the type to comprehend a more detailed explanation.
Too Cheerful for NYC
The city of New York has a reputation for not being particularly welcoming. It’s crowded, everyone has somewhere to go, and most people don’t want to talk to you or even acknowledge your presence. However, if you’re a visitor from another country, you might not notice or care about any of this.
We’re not sure if this guy was from California, but we do know that his level of happiness was far too much for the average New Yorker. We’re not saying they’re all grumpy over there, but sometimes too much friendliness can be overwhelming.
For the Rich People
This guy might know more about New York City (and Los Angeles) than anyone else. Because, let’s face it, most New Yorkers don’t seem to enjoy their city very much, you have to wonder why anyone with money would want to live there.
We’re sure there are some New Yorkers who love the city without irony, but we’re also sure there are plenty of residents who would rather live somewhere else. Unless, of course, they’re the masochistic rich.
Nothing I Can Do
What you should and shouldn’t say to your significant other is governed by an unspoken rule. If your girlfriend says something self-deprecating about herself, you should not agree with her as a boyfriend. Even if she said it, that doesn’t mean she expects you to agree!
Even so, overhearing this must have been hilarious, though we’re sure the conversation took a completely different turn after the boyfriend made such a remark. It most likely escalated quickly after that.
You Can’t Beat Gravity
Even though dancers have a bit more natural balance than the average person, they can’t defeat gravity. And, as we all know, when a subway train lurches into motion and comes to a stop, there’s a lot of gravity at work.
So, if you’re on a high horse, don’t be afraid to grab one of those poles for support. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and they’re there for a reason. With something like that, who needs to impress other people on the subway?
Is That How it Is?
We’re not qualified to speak authoritatively on this subject, but according to one overheard conversation, Halloween is the LGBTQ+ community’s Christmas — and we understand! Halloween is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to dress up however they want and flaunt their talents without fear of unwarranted criticism.
People should be able to do that whenever they want, but we don’t yet live in a society like that. However, we might be able to get to that point one day.
The Harsh Reality
Interning in America is a pain, period. Most of the time, it’s pretty much the same as working, except you don’t get paid nearly as much as you should. You may not be paid at all at times!
Think about it: you could make less money in an hour than a parking meter! Is there anything more insulting than that? In fact, the way interns are treated in this country needs to change drastically.
I Literally Work Here
Some people don’t think things through nearly as thoroughly as they should. Even if you book a private party at a business location, there will be some people there who you don’t know. Why? Of course, someone has to work and run the place!
Someone has to provide services, so you can’t have such a party without some sort of employee on hand. It’s truly amazing how… some people manage to get through life.
Ahead of Their Time
If you overhear a conversation between two children under the age of 10, you’d most likely assume they’re talking about toys, video games, or some other form of recreation. You don’t expect them to be talking about fine dining.
We can’t help but imagine these young people dressed up and talking about their favorite fine dining establishments and their number of Michelin stars. Isn’t that just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?
Have You Not Noticed?
Some people are simply not that bright, attentive, or even both. Seriously, while dogs do grow in size from puppyhood, who could possibly confuse a Maltese with a Great Dane?
We understand that some people are unaware of their surroundings, but this seems absurd. Even ignoring size, those two dogs have nothing in common! That person might want to consider getting a pair of glasses.
My Biggest Dream
There is also something to be said for women holding gay men in higher regard than straight men. We believe it has to do with not being objectified or hit on.
Even if that isn’t the case, many people are unhappy in their marriages, so it’s not unreasonable for a wife to wish that her husband was just acting and that they could be friends instead of husband and wife. There’s most likely a significant issue that needs to be addressed.
Please Don’t
Some of the musicians on the streets are extremely gifted. Others, on the other hand, are a different story. Some people don’t like hearing whatever street musicians have to play, regardless of how skilled they are, especially if they’re trying to do so on the subway.
This man was clearly one of those people who were willing to pay $20 to have a street musician silenced. What if, on the other hand, the man had simply pocketed the cash and continued to play? You wouldn’t be able to prevent it.
Just Incredibly Vain
Many people are self-conscious about their appearance and could benefit from some encouragement from friends, family, or even strangers. Some people have no such problem, and they are only concerned about their appearance because they are vain.
There are two types of people. But, hey, just because she’s vain doesn’t mean she’s not pleasant to be around. Regardless of the true reason for her behavior, she at least thanked the woman who complimented her.
From Around These Parts
Everyone jumps to conclusions, but some are more socially acceptable than others. For example, assuming someone is a foreigner based on race is impolite, especially in America, where a diverse population lives.
In any case, this Boston native was not having it, and we can’t say we blame him. In a situation like this, we can’t think of many people who wouldn’t be irritated.
All About Perspective
A salmon bagel’s price varies greatly depending on where you live. Unfortunately, living in New York City means that things are generally more expensive, though $18 for a bagel, shmear, and lox still seems excessive.
However, given that the fish had to give its life for that meal, isn’t $18 a reasonable price? In any case, it was a life-changing salmon bagel, albeit not in the way the customer probably expected.
Forced Social Circle
There are so many people in a big city that it’s easy to avoid the ones you don’t like and focus on the ones you do. However, getting away from prying eyes in a small town is unfortunately quite difficult.
After all, the smaller a community is, the closer it is — even if some members are unwilling to participate. Everyone knows what’s going on, so calling it a group text you didn’t want to be a part of is a pretty accurate description.
Yeah Man, Yemen
Even if you speak the same language as someone else, you may not always understand what they are saying. This is especially true when similar-sounding words are used. It’s easy to misinterpret “Yemen” as “yeah man.”
To be honest, this conversation would have been far more amusing if the Yemeni man had just kept talking without correcting his partner, seeing how long it would take him to realize what was going on.
Truly Exciting Careers
When they’re young, many children aspire to greatness. They usually feel compelled to become a pilot if they have an interest in airplanes and the like. But, hey, that’s boring! Apparently, this girl would rather be a suitcase.
We understand that children think in ways that adults don’t, but we honestly have no idea where she’s coming from. What is it about being a suitcase that is so exciting? What about the free rides to other locations?
Good for You
In today’s society, it appears that a guy can’t ask a girl anything without her revealing that she has a boyfriend. Inquire about the time? They’ve got a boyfriend. Trying to get their wallet back? Boyfriend. Do you want them to call an ambulance for you? You should know that they have a boyfriend.
Of course, that’s an exaggeration, but we can understand why men would be annoyed by the assumption that they’re trying to make a move on a girl whenever they speak to one. Lady, he just needed some time!
I Would Never
Some people are simply averse to social interactions. Dogs, on the other hand, are loved by even the most introverted and reclusive of us. Even if nothing else in life makes you happy, there’s a dog somewhere who will make you smile.
People, on the other hand, are almost certainly the source of the most frowning. We understand, subway man — smiling is difficult enough as it is, so why waste energy on a person when there’s a dog in front of you?
Asking the Real Questions
Imagine your significant other approaching you one day and revealing that they discovered your babysitter on a scandalous website. Sure, that information may come as a shock to you, but isn’t there something else to consider in that situation?
Why was your partner on that scandalous website in the first place, for example? After all, that was the only way they could have learned this information. That appears to be a far more important question to address.
A Sign of Trust
In a bar, or anywhere else, we don’t recommend allowing strangers to watch your drink. That’s a great way to make the front page of a newspaper or the star of an episode of a law enforcement TV show. If you didn’t have a choice, there is one type of stranger you could rely on.
That’s right: the random person who passionately sings every word to a Justin Bieber song. We’re just saying that any guy jamming out to “One Less Lonely Girl” isn’t planning anything nefarious against you.
Why Are We Booing Him
Americans have a habit of making jokes about our neighbors, particularly our northern neighbors, the Canadians. But, as nice as those Canadians are, they’re also perfectly capable of slamming us, and usually in a way that cuts deep.
It’s a bold statement to suggest that America’s healthcare system is so important that not having it all is equivalent to not having it at all. It’s also not entirely wrong.
Push Them Somewhere Else!
We should round up all the scumbags in the country and relocate them! Perhaps an island or something similar! Oh, wait, isn’t that something that already exists in New York City?
We’re just pointing out that the city already has a reputation for having some of the meanest residents, so they might be onto something. It’s strange how closely the reality matches the concept.
The Lightning Party
You might think it’s strange that someone would celebrate the anniversary of being struck by lightning, but is it really that strange? When it’s appropriate, many people commemorate the anniversaries of their survival against the odds.
Furthermore, the chances of being struck by lightning are extremely slim, so Greg found a way to avoid a life-threatening hazard. That appears to be a worthy cause for a celebration!
Quid Pro Quo
Every tall person in the world is probably tired of being asked how it feels to be tall. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like or what sports they play. They usually just shrug it off with an awkward laugh. This guy, on the other hand, believed he could reverse the situation.
Height, on the other hand, has little to do with mini-golf but has a significant impact on basketball. But we get the joke’s main point, and it’s a good reaction.
Native Entertainment
It pays to live in a big city if you’re looking for ways to keep yourself entertained. Because the more people you live near, the more variety there is in terms of people watching, which can be quite entertaining!
Sure, it’s a little depressing to take pleasure in other people’s misery. But, hey, you’re a beggar if you don’t have cable, not a picker. If you don’t have any other options, you’ll take whatever you can get.
Isn’t That Just Sleeping?
Is there a clear distinction between napping and sleeping as defined by the dictionary? Is it necessary to be asleep for a certain number of hours for the activity to be considered sleeping?
We can’t say we blame him for sleeping for so long. We’d take those long naps every day if we could, especially in the early afternoon when the post-lunch funk sets in.
I Can Already Tell
Music brings people from all over the world together, but it also divides us because not everyone enjoys the same music. That’s why headphones exist: to allow you to listen to your music without bothering others, such as this obnoxious bus driver.
Music taste, on the other hand, is irrelevant. You shouldn’t be playing music like that in public anyway. It’s impolite to force your activity on others, especially since headphones are relatively inexpensive.
Everyone But Me
When you’re dating someone who’s a little crazy, it seems like everyone except you notices. Or, at the very least, you’re the one who always seems to notice things last. What is the reason for this?
Because New York City is so big, there are bound to be a lot of crazy people there, so residents should be cautious about who they share their affections with! Make them do something, like take a test!
Not That Kind of Church
When a church is mentioned, two types of people come to mind: those who think of a holy place and those who think of a fast-food restaurant. Okay, there are other kinds of people, but the contrast between these two is hilarious.
We had no idea Church’s Chicken had locations in New York City, but we think in this case the guy talking about it may have tried it while going overseas.
Where Do You Think?
Retail employees, whether in New York City or elsewhere in the country, are subjected to far too much nonsense. That’s why, when people ask them silly questions like, “Where are the frozen vegetables?” they usually respond with sarcasm.
Probably where the cold storage is, right? This question is ridiculous because most grocery stores have obvious cold sections. Please look for it yourself first, or ask yourself if what you’re looking for is really that difficult to find.
At Least She’s Honest
Most businesses strive to project a positive image, and as a result, they instruct their employees to do so whenever possible. Some employees, on the other hand, are unconcerned about this and would rather be honest with customers.
Spirit Airlines’ flight attendant simply stated the facts. And, hey, most of the passengers have already boarded the plane, so there’s nothing they can do about it at that point, right?
Oh, Oops
When girls go shopping for clothes, they frequently bring some of their friends with them so that someone can tell them how good or bad they look in various outfits. When making comments, said friends are expected to be courteous.
However, we have the impression that the girl in this story was just waiting for an opportunity to criticize her friend’s shirt. Friends don’t let friends go out in public wearing something that makes them look bad, right?
Take a Wild Guess
Given North Korea’s recent history, few places around the world receive a large number of immigrants, visitors, or tourists from the country. So, if someone simply stated that they are from Korea, the most logical assumption would be that they are from South Korea, right?
That appears to be common sense to us, and it appears to be common sense to this Korean man as well, as evidenced by his blatant sarcasm. All things considered, we can’t say we blame him for his feelings.