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Whether you do it on purpose or not, eavesdropping can teach you a lot about a city, especially one as chaotic, colorful, and unfiltered as New York. From subway rants to brunch debates and late-night sidewalk confessions, the Big Apple never runs out of conversations.

That’s where @overheardnewyork comes in — the Instagram account curates a library of real-life quotes people send in straight from the city's streets. Each of them is a moment suspended in time, weaving together the soundtrack of a place that millions call home.

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    #5

    Gate attendant firmly tells passengers no seat changes on full flight, emphasizing the long six-hour journey to Paris.

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    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if you still want to complain about seats, I also have no shïts to give either.

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    #10

    Text message conversation showing funny and confusing overheard New Yorkers discussing the meaning of the word mercurial.

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    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not her fault she's stuck speaking to somebody with limited linguistic prowess.

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    #11

    Text conversation overheard in New York with a mom and kid about behavior and nannies in a humorous context.

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    #18

    Text conversation at an office happy hour overheard in New York discussing age and social etiquette humor.

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    TerathNinir
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who are like that in their 30s are not going to survive their 50s.

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    #20

    Tweet about contrasting feelings toward LA and New York, highlighting overheard New Yorkers and their surprising statements.

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    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NY embraces you and takes it to a whole new level of prime assholiciousness.

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    #21

    Text conversation overheard in New York between a girl and a cashier about a six pack and pregnancy test.

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    Inigo Montoya
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If she comes back to return the beer, point her towards the discounted diapers.

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    #23

    Conversation about not being in their 20s anymore overheard in New York, showcasing typical New Yorker humor.

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    Tim Douglass
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brain still says I'm 25, but my body knows the truth - that was over 40 years ago!

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    #24

    Text message conversation about a surprising marriage and divorce, showcasing humorous overheard New Yorkers’ quotes.

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    LauraDragonWench
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine, too! Though I don't mind skipping the marriage and divorce part - just gimme the gay bestie. 😂

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    #26

    Text post showing a humorous exchange overheard in New York between an older woman and her husband near Penn Station.

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    Pferdchen
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep looking up at how tall the buildings are while you're at it.

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    #28

    Conversation between a girl doubting a restaurant and a chef outside mentioning a Michelin star in New Yorkers overheard moments.

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    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Girl: Oh, I haven’t heard of her, is she an influencer or some other star?

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    #32

    Conversation between two people overheard in New York, highlighting the unique experiences of New Yorkers versus tourists.

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    #38

    Conversation showing a New Yorker talking about an earthquake and a girl from LA responding sarcastically.

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    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Around here it's like NBD. Loma Prieta - THAT was an earthquake! Oct. 17, 1989 - we could *watch* the ground rolling towards us. 6.9 on the Richter scale. The people at the Giants World Series game got a ride! 😁

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    #43

    Text-based image with a funny quote about adulthood from overheard New Yorkers about waking up early instead of partying late.

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    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Partying? Is that when the kids go out and my wife and I blanket up, roll into a warm cannoli and watch a movie we fall asleep in the middle of?

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    #48

    Text conversation about being nervous visiting a rural hometown with no Whole Foods, highlighting New Yorkers overheard moments.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rural living is being able to distinguish the difference between a dairy farm, a sheep farm, and a hog farm by sniffing the air.

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    #50

    Quote about dating struggles in New York, highlighting overheard conversations capturing unique New Yorkers moments.

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    #56

    Two strangers in Harvard sweatshirts overheard in New York, mistaken Zara clothing for a Harvard sweatshirt.

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    #57

    Millennial and Gen Z coworker conversation humor overheard in New York about age and appearance.

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    #58

    Text message overheard in New York about a roommate ignoring a boiling pot and risking an apartment fire.

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    #59

    Tweet about people overhearing New Yorkers with a humorous comment on NYC and Hoboken locations.

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    Highfalutin Heron
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel that. We did "Chicago to NYC" when it was really Kenosha, WI to suburban NJ. And Kenosha was denser than where we moved to in NJ.

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    #60

    Conversation at JFK customs line with a tax-paying man and another telling him to relax, overheard in New York.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The people who don't have to wait don't pay any taxes. ( Bezos, Musk, Rupert Murdoch, etc. )

    #61

    Text post quote saying someone’s best quality is being jealous because it shows good taste, overheard New Yorkers humor.

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    #62

    Text conversation with a humorous New Yorker exchanging witty comments about taking breaks from alcohol.

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    #64

    Text post showing a humorous overheard quote from New Yorkers about air conditioning worth the cost.

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    #65

    Text image showing a humorous New York overheard quote about having Tuesday Terrors instead of Sunday Scaries.

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    #66

    Text post with humorous quote overheard in New York, illustrating surprising New Yorkers overheard moments.

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    #67

    Text-based conversation overheard in New York with a humorous exchange about blacking out and not remembering.

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    #68

    Comparison of demure vs brat New Yorker types, highlighting drinks, habits, and lifestyle in overheard New Yorkers conversations.

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    Chippy Chap
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brat wishes it had Samantha Jones on it's side. Out of those 4, the brat is Carrie Bradshaw.

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    #69

    Text post showing a humorous overheard conversation in New York about a wife walking out during Brat summer.

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