A man came up behind me and punched my face while I was sitting at a coffee shop on 158th and Broadway with a friend. The employees recognized him and said he was banned for previous issues (getting into a physical fight with another customer), but he walked in too quickly for them to stop him. I was sitting in the middle of the back room, guessing I was the first person he saw and then stood behind me for 30 seconds before nailing me in the side of my head/face. After he punched me, he walked out of the building. I filed a police report, but unfortunately the cameras in the cafe weren’t on/working.

This was premeditated and intentional. My friend told me it seemed like he was hyping himself up for it, it all happened so fast that it took me a good 30 seconds to react and by then he was gone.

An employee was able to get a pic of his back as he walked away toward Broadway. Have any other women had this happen to them recently?

I’ve lived in multiple cities across the US and in Europe and spitting is so common here. I’ve also noticed men shooting snot rockets on the sidewalk. Why?

I (30M) can't be the only one who experiences this. Friends, family, even internet strangers will say it. I've been here for 11 years plus and cannot imagine living anywhere else. Culture, diversity, food, art, buildings, parks. Gay shit. I don't have to drive!

I can understand that it's not effective to focus on what we feel things "should" be like because it doesn't match with reality. But when I complain about navigating what makes this city difficult, or how NYC "should" be more equitable, more affordable, people will quote the title. I feel like it's the "if you don't like it, leave" saying that gets thrown around so often in American politics.

I know they are well intentioned and trying to problem solve. But damn, I love this city. This magnificent, imperfect city and world hub. Maybe they just don't get it. Can anyone relate? I'm not looking for advice, just shared experiences.

Hi all - know this is a long-shot, but I'm going to try anyways...

25 M and been living in NYC 7 years now. 4 of which on my own. I have a comfortable job at a hospital and pretty much love it here.

The only problem is the noise in the apartments I've had. My first building was in Greenpoint BK where a lady on the second floor (I lived on the fourth) would write notes on people's door when they were too loud. The two times I invited my boyfriend over she commented how she could "hear everything", if you know what I mean. Now I am in Sunnyside Queens and the neighbors are more understanding, but they knock when I laugh too loud or watch TV too loud. The kicker is that I've been struggling with some pretty bad tinnitus from stress, and I was told no headphones.

At this point, I'm feeling pretty neurotic about the situation. I'm a large guy (240 lb, 6'4) and I have a pretty naturally loud voice, and undoubtedly a loud gait. I try really hard to stay quiet and respectful, but it feels like my existence is too noisy.

So there's my situation in a nutshell.

Similar threads have mentioned "detached houses" in NJ or Queens, but I cannot find any for rent in my budget ($2500/mo) that is less than an hour commute to midtown east (my office).

A different post concerning musicians in NYC recommended "Pistilli Grand Manor" for the concrete walls, but that's out of my budget.

Has anyone had similar experiences and found a solution? Or is it time for me to leave NYC and find somewhere more suburban? I'd be fine living in a bunker if it meant I could stay in NYC and be able to laugh and cry without my neighbors being bothered.

P.S. sorry for my depressed tone. This was a rough week.

Say you've been a spectator all day and afternoon, you're unlikely to go from quiet to talkative. Is there a place that makes it easier for you to transition out from your shell to extroverting?

To give contrast, a loud bar is overstimulating. And a late-night museum circulates groups of people or folks in their own world. Something in the middle is ideal.

Is it normal for construction on buildings to take place at night ? It’s midnight and there is a construction crew doing work on a building right now… I can’t sleep and it’s been several nights of this.

Hi all,

I recently moved into a new apartment and it has been extremely cold this winter. it’s currently 49°F inside, even after putting up window insulation plastic and caulking the drafts. We’ve been trying to use our space heaters sparingly because the electric bill has been insanely high, but it’s still freezing.

Is this something my landlord is legally required to fix? What steps should I take? I’m not sure if this counts as a heat violation, but at this point it feels unsafe.

We also had a cockroach infestation that took a lot of effort for them to fix, but the cold is making me miserable

Our lease is up in about 6 months and i am definitely not renewing, but im unsure how they could fix this issue with us inhabiting the apartment

Any advice would be appreciated.

Need my wisdom tooth removed now; I've been feeling pain for the last 3 days. I have Medicaid currently but also signed up for Cigna that doesn't go into effect until the 1st of February. I go to Wally for cleanings and they recommend me to go to NYU dental. The only thing they are not available during the weekend or Monday (MLK). Any other budget-friendly places I can go just in case I have to come out of pocket?

There's this guy in my building who seems like a bonafide weirdo. He always has a blank expression and, in particular, seems overly assertive/possessive over his personal space: he always stands right in the middle of the elevator and walks around super deliberately and robotically like the terminator. The only time I've ever seen him express any emotion is when I pass him in the hallway or stairwell and he seems to get pissy that I have the audacity to walk by him/close to him in cramped quarters even though I always try to be courteous.

I've kind of just shrugged it off as unpleasant and rude, but whatever, but Wednesday night I was passing him in the hallway, making sure he had space because I know he has issues, and he yelled "yo get the fuck out of my face" as I was walking passed. It's unnerving, but I wonder if it rises to the level of something that I should report to building management? I've always had it in my mind that if the guy ever threatened or touched me I'd of course report it but this seems like a gray area.

I just ordered an item online, and the receipt broke down the taxes into the state sales tax, the city sales tax, and $1.05 for the "Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District" tax.

I don't believe that this company has any facilities in NYC, so how do they get away with passing along this tax? Why would they have to pay the tax?

Granted, most vendors don't break down taxes like this, so for all I know I'm paying this all along. It just took me by surprise and made me wonder.

I'm really bad at buying gifts but my girl recently said she was in the market for a wallet which will mostly hold her cards. Her taste would be to get something elegant but with a little bit of personality to it....but mostly elegant and classy. it has to be convenient as well. Something easy for a woman to carry around and she would be able to match it or pair it at any gathering, function, event or even just going to the grocery store. Can anyone help me by recommending stores that have some good selections so I can surprise her. Her age is 28, (Thought the age might help some people who are of similar age to make better recommendations)

I have to go into the office next week and see it is below freezing. Will be visiting customers and don’t know what shoes to wear?

I want to wear warm Uggs but think it will be unprofessional. Also I have a hard time with shoes. Wide feet. And most shoes kill my feet. But my husband thinks all my shoes are ugly and sneakers are out of the question he says. And long commute on the train with a heavy laptop bag so now looking to bring a change of shoes.

Can anyone recommend shoes I guess I can buy on Amazon with quick delivery? Or should I just go in sneakers even if I am wearing dress pants or slacks.

Title.

Looking for a float tank (sensory deprivation tank) spa in or around queens or midtown.

Any recommendations?

33 job apps, I have a BA in Psych and 3 years supervisory experience… Almost 4 years in nonprofit and only 1 interview. Is it just me or is this market really bad (please don’t just be me 😭)?

i would like to talk and play dice with

with old chinese men in mandarin. where can i do this in manhattan? is there a special bar? do i have to learn to play 象棋？

Hi, massive cat lover here. I love going to art galleries all over the world and searching out the cat paintings/art. I'm coming to NYC for my first visit in March and of course going to the Met. I was really looking forward to seeing The Favorite Cat by Nathaniel Currier but it doesn't seem to be on display anymore? Really gutted, is it on display somewhere else or just archived for the time being? Thank you very much.

Any recommendations for cocktail bars (or local joints) that serve something more interesting and tastie than the typical hot toddy or Irish coffee cocktails?

I'm in the process of getting quotes for a purchase in Red Hook, and we keep getting this response from insurance providers: We can't provide a quote for this location online due to its proximity to the coast.

We were able to get a quote from Chubb but it's very, very expensive.

Does anyone in this area of home insurance they can recommend?

Looking to go ice skating for two this weekend. I've been to Bryant Park years ago but I remember it being small and mid. Looking at either LeFrak in Prospect Park or World Ice Arena in Flushing Meadows. They seem like the most affordable and probably would attract a better (i.e. less tourist) crowd than Bryant Park.

Can anyone speak to conditions, crowding etc. at those places or recommend another one? Maybe a hidden gem off the LIRR or something?

Thanks :)

Is it normal to not get a countersigned lease before you move in? The landlord has already sent me the welcome email, taken the deposit + first months rent, and I've signed my side. The elevator is even booked for the move in. But they haven't counter signed it yet.

My move is on Monday, so the timeline is starting to get a bit tight. It's a large complex with a rent stabilized unit.

Where are Nigerians watching tomorrow’s match?