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Jesse Margolis, the man behind Overheard LA, started the Instagram account on a whim in 2015, after listening to a stereotypically L.A. conversation at a health food store. It now has 1.6 million followers and numerous spinoffs, including Overheard London and Overheard New York. This time, we'll focus on the latter.

"We're curating user-generated content, but we're also directing it toward millennial themes," Margolis told The New York Times. "The reason the accounts are successful is because we're not just posting some dumb quote — we're focusing on these themes of dating and digital life and food and fitness and Instagram culture and all that stuff. So we definitely do our best."

And that definitely shows. While scrolling through these snippets, you get a feeling that you're not just eavesdropping on a random conversation. Rather, immersing yourself in a unique environment and getting to know the people living there; their wants and desires, insecurities and fears. So continue scrolling and let's take a walk in the streets of NYC.

More info: Instagram | OverheardLA.com

The Overheard project has come a long way since its humble beginnings. High follower numbers aside, Margolis is steering the brand in a new direction too. With a printed "newspaper" called The Overheard Post, which has seen features such as the "millennial weather report" and satirical "obituaries".

"We've got these ... accounts now with cities and themes, and we're kind of exploring how that brand manifests itself in different areas," Margolis explained.

"The newspaper idea is our first foray — it's half a marketing stunt. We're essentially going to be doing a newsletter. My idea for our newsletter is it's offline only, and then if you want to actually read it online, you might be able to get it 24 hours later or a week later."

Margolis said the account that started it all, Overheard LA, plays to the more absurd elements of the city, but interestingly enough, it captures the sort of extremes that his team have all seen a little bit living in L.A.

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"We're trying to make fun of the bubble and occasionally we can get caught in the bubble ourselves by doing that, and not necessarily showing just how unique and diverse L.A. has become. I wish the whole of L.A. was reflected more in the account."

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Dave P
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

average bagel with lox and cream cheese in NYC, at least where I live is $6-7, bagel with just cream cheese in about $3. I mean lox is expensive, but where it is $18

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What he thinks he has learned from his time on the project is "how clearly we are now living in two worlds: the real world, IRL. And this 'Black Mirror' thing."

What makes him laugh about the newspaper is that he's old enough to remember when everyone was offline scrambling to establish a presence on the internet and now the phenomenon has gone full circle and publishers are trying to establish their presence offline.

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Dave P
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean we have a lot of Indians in NYC, quite a few elected, one even running for Public Advocate.

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GoddessOdd
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in the land of Disney, we have visitors from all over the world. I have overheard people being condescending to a "foreigner" only to be burned by someone who speaks better English than they do.

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Nicole Cabrera
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because they actually study the language. Americans can be kinda gross. I'm born here.

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BetweenTheCracks
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once knew a guy named Tim, who had a Brooklyn accent. He was full-blooded Chinese and loved to refer to himself as a "banana". (Stay your vengeful hand, kids-- he said it, I never did!)

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TK 421
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sincerely hope that man yelled that as he was leaving exact change and walking away. In all my years as a tipped employee, I never once had to demand what was earned.

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Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is is it that in the USA people do not pay their waiters aND staff? Would it HURT??? It sound do horriblY 3rd (or 4th or 5th) World! Pay you bloody workers!!

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Assuming anyone different is automatically a "foreigner" is the basest form of ignorance.

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Loty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he leave a tip for that jerkoff behind the bar?

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not even proper drink tipping etiquette... it's only $1 per mixed drink. Shots, bottles, and drinks on tap are 10% (ie. anything that takes zero work or knowledge)

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Devil's Advocate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k that, I'm not tipping you for doing your job, that's what wages are for. Considering the culture in America, how have all bar staff not just got together and sorted this s**t?

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Laura Mende (Human)
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2 years ago

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So it isn't just me who thinks people don't understand me if they look different! Thank you bartender!!

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Hans
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But think of the doctors! As you said, they need them even though they do not stop viruses....oh, nevermind. Just leave them to those who need protection from dust.

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Laura Mende (Human)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was once a subway driver here who was probably kicked out by an airline. Every time I sat in the subway, he not only announced the stops, he also explained what there was to see in these places. And in the most f*****g friendly tone in the world! IT IS 6 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING YOU INSANE !! ONE MORE WORD AND I WILL COME IN TO YOU! But that won't go very nicely ... 😈🤬😂

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Deborah B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How about remove your backpack on the subway, like a civilized human being, and don't scream at strangers for mildly inconveniencing you, like another civilized human being?

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Laura Mende (Human)
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Burn the guy! Burn his crocs! BURN THE KIDS!!! They already have this PLAGUE in them!!! 😈😈

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they are. And they probably also admire the 24/7 mentality.

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