Photo by mofo

How about D.C.’s Chinatown? It’s full of great Chinese cultural stuff, like…Fuddruckers. And Hooters. (Fun fact: the Chinese characters on the Hooters spell out “cat-head eagle restaurant,” with cat-head eagle being an owl.) But hey, there’s the arch and the funky all-way crosswalk. And what with the heat we’ve been having maybe we can excuse these folks for thinking that, you know, Chinatown is even remotely Chinese.

Overheard of the Week

Crossing H Street towards the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro on July 4th:

A tourist in a group of tourists: “It’s like being in China!”

After the jump, heat, annoying kids, and more.

If you hear good stuff, make sure to send it in to our special Overheard in D.C. email address. And make sure to tell us where, when, who and in what situation, otherwise it’s just a random quote.

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If you wondered what the “+” was for in “Rush+”: waiting

On the train at Metro Center, mid-Monday afternoon:

Conductor on PA: “This is an Orange ‘Rush Plus’ train. Customers, be advised we’ve been instructed to hold here for one minute and for an additional one minute at Federal Triangle.”

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Better Summer business idea: Ice World. Who’s in for a pop-up!

Entering the saunas at Spa World:

Man: “It’s just like my house in here.”
Woman: “Yeah, we could’ve gotten this for free today!”

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Man, that Dora the Explorer/Chingy show at Fur was off the chain

In a federal office building near the Capitol:

A mom is walking her six-year-old son down the hall, looks down at him, laughs, and says: “Take those sunglasses off, we’re not in the club.”

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It’s not funny to joke about, but did you ever want to punch a child?

On the Red line heading toward Union Station during morning rush hour:

A clearly well-off mother, father, and three kids between the ages of five and 10 are discussing their visit to the Capitol.

Mom: “There’s a special underground train that runs to the Capitol for votes, and if we’re lucky, we might get to ride it.”
Child: (Excited) “Is there a private chef on it?”
Mom: “No.”
Child: (Disappointed) “Oh.”

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#thingsnottosayinthecapitol

In a Senate Office Building at about 9 a.m.:

Staffer (in suit): “Well, you dressed for today.”
Photographer (in khaki shorts): “Yeah, I’m going out to shoot things around the city.”

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The Church of St. Cuba Gooding Jr.

On M Street NW near the National Geographic Society building:

Young woman angrily talking to someone on her cell phone: “F*ck the hereafter. I want my shit now.”

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The 4th of July is very different in the UK

On 17th Street after the fireworks on the 4th:

A twenty-something female with a British accent: “I hate the bear monster. The bear monster and I are not friends.”

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You know, because of some good reason. Not because they are federal employees.

In the office on Thursday:

A federal employee is talking to another federal employee about a payroll question: “Let’s wait until Monday. I don’t want to do anything on a Friday.”

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Prepare to eat only Freedom Fries and red meat

In the Rayburn House Office Building:

Young staffer to friend: “So if the Republicans take over the House, do they take control of the cafeteria as well?”

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Forget San Diego, this is a fireworks finale.

Group of neighbors are walking back from watching fireworks in Capitol Hill:

Everyone is discussing the show they’ve just seen when a random male voice in the crowd says (a little too loudly but in a very casual tone): “But last night everybody was fingering my butthole, and I just don’t like that.”