Photo by Brian Allen.
Welcome back to Overheard in D.C., DCist’s weekly column of funny, strange and poignant things that our readers and staff overhear and send in. We’ve been doing it since 2006, so check out the archives here.
Well, it happened. A bill passed three years ago has caused the government to close. But aside from the many, many effects we think of, like government workers sitting at home, offices and parks closed, checks not going out and the like, the shutdown even makes kids sad. Thanks a lot, Congress.
Overheard of the Week
On the 37 Bus southbound toward downtown at 8:40 a.m.:
Young girl to her dad: “Where’s mommy?”
Dad: “Mommy is staying home today. Her office is closed.”
All passengers within earshot look up and glance at the dad with sympathy in their eyes.
After the jump, more shutdown humor, tourists, and teamwork.
As always, Real, Original Overheard in D.C. relies on you to submit the good stuff to our special Overheard in D.C. email address. Make sure to tell us who, where and in what context, too.
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Tourist humor
On Tuesday at base of Washington Monument:
A tourist family is looking up at the workers on the Monument.
Tourist guy: “There he is in green! She has been sleeping around, go ahead and jump!”
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Aww
At a gym in Silver Spring post-spin class on Monday night:
Spin instructor (a furloughed employee) finished her class with: “And remember, you are all essential in my heart.”
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Ugh, life is SO HARD
Walking down 21st Street NW in Foggy Bottom on Friday morning, in the middle of the George Washington campus:
Three young women, ostensibly GW students, discuss the government shutdown:
Girl 1: “This government shutdown thing is so crazy.”
Girl 2: “I know, right?”
Girl 3: “My mom has been out of work for like a week, and it’s not OK because I need to go to Rome!”
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Always too soon. Seriously, how does this happen in a modern democracy
In Alexandria the morning after the government shutdown:
Two mothers (dressed in work clothes) bump into a dad they seem to know while walking their kids to school. The dad is in shorts and t-shirt, looking a little scruffy.
Mom to Dad: “Furlough beard?”
Dad shrugs, laughs a little then mumbles: “Effin’ Republicans.”
Mom to mom next to her: “Too soon?”
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Italian?
On the GW campus Sunday afternoon:
Two male GW students: “Paolo’s is to Sette for you like Cafe Milano is to Paolo’s for me, you know what i mean?”
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Fingers crossed
On the first night of the shutdown at a restaurant in Cleveland Park:
A couple in their 50s are eating and waiters come out singing happy birthday.
Before the wife blows out the candles: “OK, I’m going to make a wish that those people play nice with Obama. And for world peace.”
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Places are hard
Two women and one man, all in their early 20s are walking down I Street NW near 6th during lunchtime:
Man: “My boss went to Miami of Ohio.”
Woman with a tone of extreme disbelief: “Wait what? That’s a place?!”
Man: “Uh … yeah. It’s a college.”
Woman: “So like is that part of the University of Miami … but in Ohio?”
Man pauses, seems very confused: “No.”
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Or just use it as an excuse to get drunk
Walking along Connecticut Avenue tonight:
A young guy tries to persuade a very drunk young guy to call it a night.
Drunk guy: “It’s only 7:30! I gotta … gotta … get my FURLOUGH on. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?!?! It’s … it’s … my CONTINUING RESOLUTION. [Laughter]!”
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True
At a bus stop in Brookland at 7:45 a.m.:
Middle-aged man: “Woman, you need to calm down!”
Middle-aged woman: “Just because I let you come over to my house, lay around on my couch, and put your dick all up in me does not mean you get to tell me what to do!”
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Hike!
Two mid-20s professional women crossing the intersection at 22nd and P Streets NW:
Girl 1: “That new guy who works upstairs is really hot.”
Girl 2: “He is, but I don’t think he plays for our team.”
Girl 1: “He’s a Republican?!”
Girl 2: “No. He’s gay.”
