Photo by Jason E. Powell
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.
Maybe this is common in a lot of places, but it seems like D.C. is a very argumentative place—type-A personalities, politicos, media types, lawyers, what have you. That can be a problem, because at some point, you just need to give up. You can’t win them all.
Overheard of the Week
Walking up the hill on Connecticut Avenue NW slightly north of Dupont Circle on a Wednesday evening:
A group of late 20-somethings are walking.
Guy to girl, defensively: “I keep telling you, it wasn’t a strip club. It was a nightclub that had strippers.”
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.
After the jump, fancy people, less fancy people, and more arguments.
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If somebody gives you their work number, probably not a great sign
At Platos Diner in College Park, Md.:
Standing at the register paying the check, the phone rings and the cashier answers.
Cashier: “He’s not here, can I take a message?”
[Listening to caller]
Cashier: “He’s not here on a regular schedule. We keep this phone line open for customers, so can I take a message?”
[Listening to caller]
Cashier: “I gave him the message you left before. I don’t think he’s going to call you back.”
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Hate when this happens
At Range restaurant, lunchtime on the snow day:
Three people sitting at the bar are discussing how one member of the group introduced another at a meeting.
Person No. 3: “Somehow only having one Ph.D. makes me feel lazy right now.”
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Even the drinking games are polarized
At a corner store off H Street NE, around 9 p.m.:
A group of late 20-somethings are buying beer and cigarettes.
Woman to cashier: “And we would like a pack of playing cards, please.”
Cashier: “Red or Blue?”
Woman: [proudly, emphatically] “RED. [Pause] RED for REPUBLICAN. [Pause] Everything’s political in this town.”
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This is what happens when they don’t raise fares constantly!
A group of high schools students at Union Station boarding one of the Metro cars with no carpet:
Boy 1: (looking down) “Whoa! Is this floor made of cardboard?”
Boy 2: “I don’t think so.”
Boy 3: (kicking floor) “Yeah, it’s made of cardboard.”
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Fun for the whole family
At the Navy Yard ice skating rink:
One child to another, screaming: “I’M GONNA RIP YOUR FACE OFF AND EAT IT!”
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Also hate when this happens
About 2 p.m. Thursday on the corner of 14th and Irving streets NW:
An exasperated and frustrated heavy-set middle-aged man is talking to a woman around the same age about a third person.
Man: “It’s just the sewers, man! They’re going to get in his mind, then go through his body, then go through his digestive system and come out as dust!”
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And finally, not the best way to win this argument, either
On the Red Line near Friendship Heights:
A dad and middle school-aged kid are talking.
Son: “I’m not taking ballet!”
Dad: “Why?”
Son: “Because it’s dance.”
Dad: “That’s not what John Travolta said.”
Son: “I don’t even care about John Travolta!”
