I share a series of posts with friends as "OH in SF" when I overhear things that strike me a funny, ironic or otherwise poignant. As a former Ohioan the prefix has a nice multiple meaning. It is a nod to my midwestern roots, an homage to overheardinnewyork and is a literal acronym "OverHeard in San Francisco."
It turns out most of these gems come from muni trips. I don't consider it eavesdropping when people talk on the muni as if the rest of us aren't there. I don't know whether they lack volume control or personal boundaries. Perhaps they have become immune to the subtle differences that make a train or bus public space. Regardless of reason people overshare some remarkable things and life unfolds.
OH in SF: (Early Evening on a 49)
Woman on phone: When I go out, I am dressed to kill. Murder. To the Nines. That's not for Joe or anyone else. That's for me.
OH in SF: (Weekday afternoon on the 14L)
Guy 1: Muni sucks, I'm gonna get me a Chevy!
Guy 2: A vintage one or a new one?
Guy 1: One from the eighties, it'll be vintage in a couple years!
OH in SF (Morning on a 14L so crowded people are standing on the back door steps)
Woman to herself: Espero que no tiene que estar allí, es peligroso.
OH in SF: (Amid a crowd of young men dressed in red and black waiting for the 14...)
White kid: Do I know you?
Black guy on bike: Why, why should I know you?
White kid: I live here and I've never seen you.
Black guy: I've lived here for 10 years, so what?
The guy on the bike rides fourty feet away, meets a friend and fills him in on what's just transpired: This kid just asked to get punched in the face.
OH in SF: (On a J. Young couple carrying a box labeled "New Parents' Kit.")
Woman: I know this will change everything, but we should be happy.
Man: I just want you to be happy.
Woman: I mean its not like we're going to be telling the kid "We didn't want you but we love you so much."
Woman: I know this will change everything, but we should be happy.
Man: I just want you to be happy.
Woman: I mean its not like we're going to be telling the kid "We didn't want you but we love you so much."
OH in SF: (SOMA, waiting for any 14)
Panhandler: Mom, how you doing?
Me: (No words, just a raised eyebrow.)
Panhandler: When we say Mom it, for us, is a sign of respect, for the older generation. Do you have a moment?
Me: My bus is coming.
Panhandler: I've been up working since 11:00 and I just need $1.87...
Me: I've heard this story before.
Panhandler: Swear to god I'm tellin' you the truth! See! (Holds up a blank Bart ticket.)
Me: Yeah, I've seen that too.
Panhandler: Aww come on, Mom.
Me: No. (Exits conversation by getting on the bus.)
Me: (No words, just a raised eyebrow.)
Panhandler: When we say Mom it, for us, is a sign of respect, for the older generation. Do you have a moment?
Me: My bus is coming.
Panhandler: I've been up working since 11:00 and I just need $1.87...
Me: I've heard this story before.
Panhandler: Swear to god I'm tellin' you the truth! See! (Holds up a blank Bart ticket.)
Me: Yeah, I've seen that too.
Panhandler: Aww come on, Mom.
Me: No. (Exits conversation by getting on the bus.)
Me: (Thinking to myself:)Wonder if I should've told him to go to his room.
OH in SF (on the 14L):
Woman: Hey that's knitting she's doing! My Dr. says I should learn that cuz it'll relax my mind, also I need to find an AA meeting.
OH in SF: (On the 43)
Man: Hell yeah I like frog legs, I'm a country boy from the deep South!
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