Overheard in New York
(www.overheardinnewyork.com)
I cannot recommend this website highly enough (along with its sister site Overheard in the Office). Since I first stumbled upon this
a year or so ago I have read it with zeal. Maybe its because I, like so many of my peers, have been brought up to believe that there is nothing hipperthan a Noo Yawk ‘tude, but the reported snatches of conversation are by turns funny (intentionally or otherwise), frightening, surreal, enlightening and curious. One side-effect of the writerly affliction is a tendency to eavesdrop on others: it helps tune the ear to the cadences and incongruity of naturally occurring conversation, gives you an insight into the banal and bizarre happenings of individuals lives, and may just unearth that anecdote which sparks or redirects your next narrative.
I cannot recommend this website highly enough (along with its sister site Overheard in the Office). Since I first stumbled upon this
a year or so ago I have read it with zeal. Maybe its because I, like so many of my peers, have been brought up to believe that there is nothing hipperthan a Noo Yawk ‘tude, but the reported snatches of conversation are by turns funny (intentionally or otherwise), frightening, surreal, enlightening and curious. One side-effect of the writerly affliction is a tendency to eavesdrop on others: it helps tune the ear to the cadences and incongruity of naturally occurring conversation, gives you an insight into the banal and bizarre happenings of individuals lives, and may just unearth that anecdote which sparks or redirects your next narrative.A few of my favourites, all credits to Overheard in New York (www.overheardinnewyork.com):
November 05, 2004
Sadly, This Isn't Fiction Either
Woman: Do you have a non-fiction section?
Book guy: Well, everything that's not fiction is non-fiction. [Over] there's cooking, and there's history.
Woman: No, that's not what I asked. Do you have a section for non-fiction?
Book guy: Well, there are no non-fiction novels. Everything here that's not a novel is non-fiction.
Woman: But you don't have a non-fiction section?
Book guy: No. Everything that isn't fiction is non-fiction.
Barnes & Noble, Staten Island
Overheard by: Dr. Ballon
July 14, 2005
Pissed Off v. Pissed On (Worst Aesop's Fable Ever)
A handicapped client has had to be restrained for assaulting a staff.
Co-worker #1: Your behaviour was completely out of line. You hit me, tried to bite me and pissed all over my leg. How would you like it if I pissed on you if I was angry at you?
Client: I wouldn't like it.
Co-worker #1: Hey [Jake], when you are angry at your girlfriend, do you piss all over her and try to bite her?
Co-worker #2: No, I don't. We talk things out and listen to each other. Why did you piss on us during the restraint?
Client: You guys were not listening to me.
2a Ormonde Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canadia
July 06, 2005
Wednesday One-liners for the Kiddies
Girl: Mommy, what's the opposite of hair?
86th & Broadway
Overheard by: Stuart Weisberg
Boy: Mommy, how many hours are in a mile?
44th & 8th
Overheard by: BBW
May 07, 2005
Presenting Our Catch Phrase for the Day
Woman #1: Ah, look at those beautiful puppies.
Woman #2: Puppies are bullshit.
Bay Ridge
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