[friendlypitbull]

Did anyone else notice the group of people who setup a card table on the sidewalk of 5th ave (around President St) and were playing a cards?

Maybe I am nuts but WTF?

[lmboogie]

why would you have an issue with folks playing cards on the sidewalk?

[friendlypitbull]

Because it is a sidewalk - for walking - not a park for setting up a bridge table and chairs and playing cards. Not to mention they were extrordinarly loud.

[Slopehead]

They've been doing that for years. 5th & Prez used to be a real hangout corner and that's one of the remaining vestiges. Doesn't bother me at all.

[erikka]

Fifth and St Marks, too. I don't care, except when it goes until midnight and people are loud. The group that congregates is sort of up in everyone's business, which amuses me. It's like having a watchdog outside at all times--they know the people who own the buildings and who live there and they keep an eye on things.

Now, BBQing on the sidewalk--that's another matter.

[veets]

I grew up in Brooklyn.. in Brownsville.. people played cards on the street all the time in good weather.. I am sure they were either closer to the building or sidewalk edge so people could pass by. Now I am expecting a post on how stoop ball should be illegal.. It is Brooklyn, you know!! LOl!!

[Karl the Druid]

[raw]

I received a rude comment from some people who were hanging out at that corner a few years ago. They were sitting on chairs on the sidewalk and it was difficult to walk by them and remain on the sidewalk. There was not a street fair and traffic was normal, but the sidewalk was cluttered. They were not playing cards though and since this was years ago my interaction probably involved different people.
_________________
I blame such comments on beer.
© karlthedruid 2007

[laura]

As a Midwestern gal I've always been charmed by seeing old guys playing dominos ...

[veets]

[ljnd]

I think it's great - I love stoop-sitters.

[laura]

I am rather Boo Radley by nature myself but I very much appreciate the stoop and street culture ... makes me feel safe and neighborly.

[friendlypitbull]

"Street culture"!!!

It is so funny the bias on these boards

Oh the outrage expressed at mothers w/strollers for taking up sidewalk space (and god forbid a mother have one of those double wide strollers!!)
BUT
a bunch of loud degenerates setting up a TABLE on the sidewalk (of a busy commercial strip) playing cards is praised as culture!

Your right maybe its me...next time I'm going to sit down with some beers (in paperbag of course) and a blunt and try to get with the program.

[laura]

It wasn't my intention to praise obnoxiously loud people. All I meant was that I like seeing people hanging out on stoops, playing dominos, etc., as opposed to the kind of neighborhood where the sidewalks are deserted. If they're being assholes, that's something else.

[Quigley]

I live at that corner, and I can't figure out who you are talking about...?

The guys who sit on President St, right next to the kitchen exit of Mezcals? They sit there all the time when it's nice out. They do take up some of the sidewalk, but I just walk in the street for those 3 seconds. It's really not a big deal. And its usually just some old guys sitting around in the summer...

But I've never seen a table set up in the middle of 5th avenue. (I assume that's what you mean by "busy commercial strip.") Where exactly were they?

"Degenerates"? Jeez, that's kinda rough. Are they visibly drunk and/or high? And what time of day was this?

[laura]

[friendlypitbull]

[Quigley]

So next to bageltique, basically?

That's really funny. I have never, ever seen that there. I'm just really curious... what time was this?

[erikka]

Where is this cardtable and folding chair Vegas full of degenerates? It sounds like a lot of fun and I'm thinking I might want in on it.

[friendlypitbull]

[jayce]

Sometimes I sit out on my front steps with a beer and chat with people too. It's not a 40 cause my stomach won't hold that much. But sometimes its just nice to sit on the stairs with a beer on a hot summer day and talk to the neighbors.

lighten up a little. not everyone is a "degenerate."

[friendlypitbull]

Oh please - I've lived in NY my whole life - I know a degenerates when I see them.

[laura]

[Quigley]

I know the guy you're talking about. He sits in the doorway with his beer all the time. He's probably an alcoholic. I guess he might be a "degenerate." (Although, you say you've lived in new york your whole life... I don't know how a "degenerate" can surprise you. They're everywhere!)

But like, whatever. He never seems to cause any harm. He certainly doesn't bother me. In fact, I would say he, and his card playing friends, affect my life much less negatively than the restaurant across the street that blares its so-called fancy live music into the streets! I'm just sayin'...

[erikka]

[bklyngirl]

[laura]

[WTGirl]

[seven24]

[raw]

[bklyngirl]

[veets]

[laura]

[ljnd]

[jennitrixie]

[The Chipster]

"I've walked by and they've never bothered me" is sorta like "I never used a condom and I've never gotten AIDS" thinking. Puh lease. And they prefer to be called roughnecks, not hooligans m'aam.
_________________
Ask a burning question, get a burning answer.

[Quigley]

[friendlypitbull]

First of all, you must be talking about a different location - because the building in question (just North of the Bagel place) has no stoop at all - it opens directly onto the street, which is one (of a few reasons) why all these people who are talking about "stoop sitters" have no idea what they are talking about.

Secondly, while someones public drinking may not affect you it certainly affects those that happen to walk by when the quantity of alcohol consumed eliminates self-restraint enough to cause the consumer to shout incomprehnsible things to passerbys or to play music at an uncomfortably loud decibls. You must simply have good timing.

Finally, I am glad so many people find public intoxication, sidewalk poaching for private card games and other described behavior to be "culture" - But where I grew up (actually here) - we call things and people as they are - so if you act like a degenerate, thats what we call you.

I still cant figure out though how some of the very same people who like to attack Mothers trying to raise kids for being "entitled" because their strollers take up a lot of sidewalk or because they dont correct their kids for being loud (in the middle of the day or in a park) can be such apoligists for what can only be described as much more obnoxious and "entitled" behavior.

[Karl the Druid]

[Quigley]

[seven24]

I know for a fact that one of the reasons most elderly people sit outside on the stoop is cause they are lonely. In this anti-social society we live in maybe you should put down your cell and ipod and strike up a conversation with a stoop sitting elder and you might learn something.

[erikka]

Fifth Avenue was covered in degenerates yesterday--sitting, eating, drinking. As far as the eye could see. Loud as hell, too. Damn them!

[Restless Native]

Hey and what's the deal with those few old people who still sit on the staircases in front of their homes, what do they call them, "Sloops" or something? I mean come on, if you want to hang out someplace, that's what Great Lakes or the Tea Lounge is for. Have some class.

[Restless Native]

[The Chipster]

oy. on the AIDS metaphor bandwagon. You know what I meant to say. If it didn't happen to "ME" it doesn't happen.



"I drive drunk all the time and nothing's happened to me!"
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Ask a burning question, get a burning answer.