Photo by Grundlepuck
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, and check out the archives here.
Working on the Hill must be interesting: you’re involved with the workings of the Congress, get to work on laws, help constituents, and strive to make the world a better place. At least, that’s an idealist’s perspective. The reality is that it’s not all good stuff.
Overheard of the Week
In a House office building on Tuesday—the day Congress returned:
Staffer: “Today sucks. Someone was pooping in my crying stall.”
After the jump, youngster, bikers, goofballs, and Virginians.
Our official Overheard email address has changed! Please email your Overheards to overheard(at)dcist[dot]com from now on, and don’t forget to include who was talking, to whom, and in what context.
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Good advice
Thursday afternoon on the Orange Line:
A very emphatic train operator: “All customers on the train please be advised, you can NOT change your clothes on the train. You can NOT get undressed on the train. Thank you for your cooperation … and thank you for riding Metrorail!”
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Must be nice
Georgetown University campus, Thursday afternoon:
One undergraduate student to another: “So I’m definitely buying a boat. It’s only $23K to $25K, and I’ve got a whole ton of cash to burn.”
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Awww
Labor Day at the National Zoo:
Son: “Dad, let’s go to the Small Mammal House!”
Dad: “Those are just the animals we try not to hit with the car. Let’s go see the gorillas!”
Son: “Okay!!”
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Sign me up!
Sunday at noon in Columbia Heights:
A young family walks past —early thirties parents and a young child in a stroller.
Father:”If we’re in that war, I’m on the side of Captain Crunch.”
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Please at least attempt to not sound like a turd
In Mount Vernon Triangle:
Guy talking on his phone: “My building is kinda expensive so they have to be nice to us.”
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Right
Saturday Evening at a Japanese restaurant in Chinatown:
Two twenty-something women, possibly tourists, at a table.
Woman 1: “Mmm this edamame is so good!”
Woman 2: “I know! They don’t call it edamame in stores though, they sell it as snap peas! They have more of an more earthy taste.”
Woman 1: “Oh yeah, I like the way they make it here better!”
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Yes, but did he have a handlebar mustache?
Saturday night, about 9 p.m. on Florida Avenue near 14th Street NW:
A thirty-something man is biking down the street one-handed, shouting into his phone:
“No! I won’t drink Bud Light or Corona!”
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Maybe talk to the boat lady
At DCA on Friday before Labor Day at a very crowded Terminal B:
Lady is standing by the only bar in the terminal with a group of other professionals who appear to be travelling home from a conference. They are discussing their neighborhoods.
Lady: “I dunno … I just love gentrification!”
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Sounds delicious!
Mid-afternoon on Saturday at a cafe near the National Zoo:
The cafe is capitalizing on the main attraction by offering “Panda Pancakes.”
Boy, about seven-years-old, with tourist family walks by, sees the sign, and asks, “What are panda pancakes?”
Dad: “Well, they are just regular pancakes, but with panda flavoring.”
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We would prefer it if you don’t come back
On the Yellow Line coming out of the tunnel and on the bridge toward Virginia:
Two middle-aged women are talking.
Woman 1: “Ah, we’re finally heading back to civilization.”
Woman 2: “Well, we’re heading into Virginia.”
Woman 1: “Like I said, heading back to civilization.”
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Philistines!
At a concert at Union Arts:
Some twenty- and thirty-somethings are talking about music during the break between sets.
Person: “That’s not hardcore, that’s just punk!” They begin disgustedly detailing the difference between the two.
