my favorite new york social code is when a lone person needs to get a stroller up the subway stairs. nearly instantly, a stranger picks up the other end of the stroller, helps carry it up, then departs as quickly as they appeared. no words are exchanged. eye contact is minimal.

Small example I had yesterday - I was with my 4 year old inside a Circle K and a group of overweight black women and their kids were standing in a group blocking an aisle. We tried to get around and said excuse me a few times, they wouldn't move b/c they were talking. So now we're stuck and can't get around to get to the front door.... See more

The main character syndrome has completely destroyed public space. I just asked a 60+ yo man if he could "please turn down his phone" and he looked at me and said "are you serious?" Like an indignant 14 year old. I said "yes please. I'm serious" "No, I'm watching something"... See more

A guy with down syndrome showed up at my door with his aid chasing behind him. Guy said the aid hurt him, and he didn't want to go back with them. I told the aid to call someone else and have them come pick him up, because I wasn't letting them take him.

I had a genuine Larry David moment last night I gave $5 to a homeless woman that turned out to just be a college student who got pissed at me, so I asked for the $5 back and she refused to give it back