ADVERTISEMENT

When you live in a city like New York, privacy is a scarce thing. Not only is the city busy squared, it actually has ears everywhere. That means a conversation meant for one addressee actually gets delivered to multiple addressees, even the ones who were not waiting for a message in the first place.

This is how New Yorkers become serial eavesdroppers, whether accidentally or purposefully. Mixed with a drop of guilt and secondhand embarrassment, the strangers’ conversations offer entertainment like no other and it’s obvious from the immense popularity of the Overheard NY Instagram page.

With 1.6M followers eager to scout the snippets of things people overheard in the streets of the Big Apple, you get a feeling this is a way to shed light on the locals and their lives. Scroll down, upvote your favorite overheard conversations, and be sure to check out our previous features on Overheard NY here and here.

More info: Overheard Newsletter

Overheard NY is the internet’s beloved Instagram project dedicated to millennial culture and its whimsical whereabouts. Over the years it’s gotten so successful that it now features three Instagram accounts including @OverheardLA, @OverheardSanFrancisco and @OverheardNewyork

According to the project’s description, “Overheard is the insta-voice of our biggest cities; a unique media brand that satirizes millennial culture with engaging, localized content.” Its cult following can be traced to the project’s hip online store that sells anything from signature hoodies, office-friendly mugs and stickers to put on an apple you carry to work in a juice bar.

#4

Waitrose. Victoria

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
msonntag1028 avatar
Delta Dawn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got carded once buying WD40 in Oklahoma City. Who is drinking/snorting/huffing WD40 in Oklahoma City??? You’re ruining the hardware store for all of us.

vikrant-talponkar avatar
Vic
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you ever been stuck in your doorway after eating too much cake?

Load More Replies...
juggalettekt1992 avatar
Kyndal T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once got chewed out and refused purchase of NyQuil and DayQuil at Walmart. They said I couldn't purchase both. But it was a 2 pack. Inseparable. Plastic wrapped and cardboard covered. When I pointed that out, the cashier asked me to leave. So I just went to a different cashier and the first cashier came running over screaming and throwing a fit but I'd already paid. She then tried to snatch it from me. Over an hour of arguing and changing cashiers while my husband waited at home with the flu. Nonsense.

marinarocha avatar
dale_williams_1 avatar
Dale Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Britain we have slightly more stringent rules in regards to age restricted products, OK we can legally drink 3 years earlier (18 to buy it in Pubs and Off Licenses) but we also have restrictions on party poppers (18), Energy Drinks (16), Lottery products (now 18, was 16 when I was younger), Matches and Lighters (18), Tobacco products (18, was 16 when I was younger, got changed in 2003), Videos (varies depending on classification), Aerosols (18 unless being purchased for specific use, this does include things like WD40) I undertook training for my Personal License (to be legally able to sell age restricted products under my own authority not someone else's) due to my previous job and being a supervisor, may not do that job anymore but the laws and rules have stuck with me ever since.

robert-thornburrow avatar
Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet I have never been asked for ID to verify my age in the UK. Only time I have had to give ID is to collect a parcel from the post office, or when I visited the States. I don't suppose anyone will start now, as I only need flash my sunroof (bald patch ;-) ). I'd be flattered if somebody did! I'm rapidly heading towards being asked for ID to get an OAP discount! LOL

Load More Replies...
mara_fiona avatar
Мара Гончарова
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How many times does it need to be said? If you are an adult the cashier asks you for an ID, you don't look underage, you look like an inspector!

saragregory0508 avatar
NsG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the cashier is asking for ID for a product that doesn't have an age limit requiring inspection, that cashier is a twit. I was ID'd at 27 buying a well-known soft drink. There's a possibility I was going to go home and add a spirit to it, but that's a massive overstep from the cashier if that was her thinking. (Since I could have been 5 years old and drinking alcohol under my parents supervision and that's still perfectly legal).

Load More Replies...
jenjoyner avatar
Xenon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to buy spray paint for my teenage daughter because the store wouldn't sell it to her. I got carded for it. Paint huffers I guess.

jpgmartin avatar
J P.G.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once got carded when buying root beer. I didn't even try to explain.

rgroper avatar
Robin Roper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In January, my father and I were in FL for a family funeral. We decided we wanted a bottle of wine for that night so stopped at a grocery - and got carded. My father is a very healthy 95 and I am young looking (or at least I've been told I'm young looking for my age), 65. I looked at the cashier and told her "Our average age is 80. I think we meet the age requirement."

ericacochrane avatar
Erica Cochrane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the only times i have ever been ID'd was when i was buying soft drinks. Irn bru the first time, the 2nd was curiousity cola (comes in a glass bottle, so they thought it was beer or something :P )

chriscristo avatar
Chris Cristo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a 54-year-old fart and still get IDed when buying alcohol. Saying to the cashier, "just take a look at me!" doesn't work

s_r-brainbox avatar
Pizzagirl 91
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once got carded for a sharp knife (Germany)... Yeah, you don't realise some restrictions until you meet them...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

In a previous interview, Bored Panda spoke with the Overheard representatives who told us that the project has certainly grown over the last few years. Now, Overheard New York boasts a whopping 1.6M followers.

ADVERTISEMENT

The creators told us that while their home will always be Instagram, they have begun to expand to other verticals “such as text via the community app Clubhouse, where we host a biweekly comedy show and are exploring some really exciting product ventures.”

#7

Jfk

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
keerthivardhan avatar
Keerthi Vardhan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

..and how would anyone know that.. we're all suspects with a hoodie hiding goods inside.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Kazu Nori. Midtown East

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
lotyjunk avatar
loty moty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha. Lost my wallet on a street in the Bronx. Someone mailed it back to me minus all the cash.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

In order to understand the success of Overheard, we have to address the fact that at its heart, Overheard is all about connecting people through a shared location or experience. The creators explained that “whether that is living in NYC (@overheardnewyork), dating on Bumble (@overheardbumble), or talking about celebrities (@overheardcelebs), it’s our goal to make people laugh and provide moments of joy and self-reflection.”

ADVERTISEMENT

We can trace back the origins of the project way back to 2015 when its founder Jesse Margolis created Overheard LA and San Francisco on a whim after listening to one such conversation in LA at a health food store. Fast forward to today and it’s run by a team of seven creators. 

#13

Laguardia To Nashville

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
saragregory0508 avatar
NsG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, if you don't want them to come you could just... not invite them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Crown Heights

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
roxy_eastland avatar
Roxy Eastland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a myth perpetuated by plot devices in films and TV that it isn't possible to sell houses that have had murders, suicides, hauntings, etc. In real life people are so desperate to buy them and make the most of it that often houses that were the site of horrific crimes are torn down.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

“We are fortunate to work with great brands like Bumble, Le Labo, Netflix, etc. Currently, we see ourselves as social-first local media, and plan to expand into podcasts, local events, products, and more video content,” the representatives told us earlier.

Part of what makes Overheard NY so appealing is that it essentially celebrates common things people find relatable. Such shared experiences can be anything from finance, dating, work, food, spirituality, local knowledge, and so on.

#16

D’agostino. Ues

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
arianahale avatar
AspieGirl88
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh. Poor girl can’t even do her shopping without having some random guy hitting on her! That’s so out of order. 😑🤦‍♀️

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#19

Bodega. Ues

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
arianahale avatar
AspieGirl88
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to the guy on 72nd then! What’s the big issue? It’s literally $4 difference, either way! 🤣

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Bushwick & Eldert

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
thatguv avatar
ThatG
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm almost willing to bet that it was actually the Puerto Rican flag...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Two Friends

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
chrysalis_1 avatar
WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try being a REAL FRIEND to her. See her a PERSON with thoughts, feelings, wants, fears and history. Then your relationship might have a basis for longevity.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Overheard

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
shakya-nirvanasn avatar
flutterbyy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I'm a work in progress" guy meets "I can change him" girl, they fall in love, and live happily ever after.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Penn Station. 🤌🗽
overheard By @tessangelikaa 📥
#atmosphericpressure #overheardnewyork

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
zoenaidu0 avatar
Bored_Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are they bragging about living in a city that allegedly smells like urine?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Girl To Friend. Les

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
j-vagabond avatar
General Anaesthesia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just my opinion but people who think like that are not worth dating in the first place.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

13th And 3rd

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
roxy_eastland avatar
Roxy Eastland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the therapist actually did say that they are terrible therapist. However it is possible that by asking the right questions they helped their client work out for themselves what they wanted, which turned out to be an end to their current relationship, and it the inevitability of it felt like being 'told' to do it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Party. Williamsburg

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
roxy_eastland avatar
Roxy Eastland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude, she's trying to tell you she's not interested without embarrassing you or risking being verbally (or more) attacked. Take the hint. Why do these men want to try and force uninterested women into dating them?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

Pera. Thompson Hotel

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
paigehdiem avatar
The Silly Stellar Jay
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The roach fight is so real! Although, I don't care where you live, 400 bucks for moisturizer is a scam.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

** The Winner Of Our Latest Poll, Thank You To Everyone Who Voted. 🤝❤️
upper East Side. 🐥🐦🐤
overheard By @e_hecht77 📥
#childpsychology #overheardnewyork

overheardnewyork Report

Add photo comments
POST
shakya-nirvanasn avatar
flutterbyy
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, you're just delusional and imagining things, that never happened.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

Domino Park. 🤫🤌
overheard By @briahardinboyer 📥
#manhattanburg #overheardnewyork

overheardnewyork Report

Note: this post originally had 121 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.