The Tourist Lane

tags: , , , , , , , , ,

As a NYCer, I screamed with laughter when I saw this video, so of course, I HAD to share it with you. The comedy group, Improv Everywhere, pranked NYC when they created separate walking lanes for tourists and New Yorkers on a Fifth Avenue sidewalk. Department of Transportation "employees" were on hand to enforce the new rules and ask pedestrians for their feedback on the initiative.

Even though this NYCer lives in Germany now, I still walk fast -- whilst Germans stroll along as if they've got all the time in the world, and they stand in front of doorways and entrances to the train, blocking everyone's passage .. GAH!! Makes me want to scream. Unfortunately, my German is too bad to politely ask them to move already so some of us can get past them and go about our business.

Idea: Jeff Greenspan.

This is one of over 100 different "missions" that Improv Everywhere has executed since 2001 in New York City. Others include the Frozen Grand Central, the Food Court Musical, and the famous No Pants Subway Ride, to name a few. Visit their website to see tons of photos and video of all of our work, including behind the scenes information on how this video was made.

More like this

This is one of nearly 100 different missions Improv Everywhere has executed over the past eight years in New York City. Others include the Best Game Ever, the Food Court Musical, and the famous No Pants Subway Ride, to name a few. Visit the website to see tons of photos and video of all of our work…
From http://www.ImprovEverywhere.com, 16 agents create a spontaneous musical in a food court in a Los Angeles mall. Using wireless microphones and the mall's PA system, both their voices and the music was amplified throughout the food court. All cameras were hidden behind two-way mirrors and other…
tags: The No Underwear Subway Ride: Uncensored, NYC, New York City, prank, humor, funny, comedy, satire, Improv Everywhere, streaming video This is the "uncensored" version of Improv Everywhere's amazing April Fool's prank video, The No Underwear Subway Ride. This video shows how the group pulled…
tags: Who You Gonna Call?, NYPL, NYC, New York City, prank, humor, funny, comedy, satire, parody, Ghostbusters, Improv Everywhere, streaming video For years, as an unemployed scientist, I depended daily upon the New York Public Library (NYPL) to remain in touch with my world, to earn money and to…

We NYers are a special breed. No one else understand our dismay at slow strolling people. I was secretly hoping that the tourist lane was real. Ha!

Originally from Montana, land of slow walkers with nowhere to be in a hurry, I have lived in London for a couple of years. I now go back to visit Montana and I cannot STAND how slow people walk!

Maybe I should move to NYC - at least then I'd be able to walk at a pace that doesn't make me feel like a damn traffic obstacle!

By Cullen Tillotson (not verified) on 10 Jun 2010 #permalink

Sorry, but I would be a tourist everywhere. I am all about slow food, slow living, slow walking. Now when I have toddlers then I am even slower! Other than terrorists or fires there is no reason to rush. It will be there when you get there with just a different number.

"No don't be afraid I don't have a gun today."

A spanish friend has just informed me that this has been done before - in Barcelona.

Still, it's hilarious.

"Unfortunately, my German is too bad to politely ask them to move already."

You would ask politely? Why? They're in the way of an AMERICAN! And a NYCer to boot! You'd think they'd know their place.

By Looseleaf (not verified) on 11 Jun 2010 #permalink