NYT Metropolitan Diary — Storytelling Gems
The best entries of 2024 + An unpublished Diary I submitted
I love The New York Times' Metropolitan Diary. Each week, the sections’ editor, Ed Shanahan, chooses a handful of bite-sized stories submitted by readers to share with the world. Each entry captures the essence of city life through brief, poignant encounters that could only happen in the Big Apple. I find them relatable, humorous, and heartwarming. To me, they reflect the fact that when you are out and about in the city, anything can happen! The section is the longest-running column in The Times—it was first introduced in November 1976.
Last week, the top five Metropolitan Diary entries of 2024 were released, and they're absolute gems. While the winning entry is masterfully crafted, my personal favorite is a story that perfectly encapsulates New York's unique brand of community—about a man who visits the same street vendor twice in one day for a sausage and pepper sandwich and the reactions of a fellow customer and the truck purveyor. If you’re not a Times subscriber, you can read the round-up through this gift link. And if you missed my published Metropolitan Diary entry from April, Stooping, you can read it here
Speaking of Metropolitan Diary entries, I have a confession to make. I submit on the regular. The below story has been in the queue since November 2023, so I assume it’s being passed over. While this hasn’t made the cut, I think it deserves to see the light of day. So, dear readers, here's my unpublished Metropolitan Diary entry with my version of an Agnes Lee drawing.
A Golden Moment on the M20
It was a rainy April morning when I stepped onto the bus headed to work. The atmosphere was tense, with a young girl's inconsolable cries piercing the air. Her grandmother and older sister struggled to calm her while the rest of the passengers had retreated to the back, seeking refuge from the chaos. Seizing the opportunity, I claimed one of the abandoned seats.
At the next stop, the bus driver's voice boomed, cutting through the commotion, “Either quiet her down or get off the bus. I can’t drive with all of that noise!” His ultimatum hung in the air, adding a layer of tension to the already fraught situation.
I remembered I was carrying a gold hair bow in my bag. An offering intended for my three-year-old niece, which she had declined. I approached the little girl and asked why she was crying. She didn't answer, but her sister said, "Mommy isn't here." Making eye contact with the older woman, I showed the child the sparkling bow. She smiled. I asked the girl if she wanted it and she nodded. I gently placed it in her hair.
“Would you like to see how it looks?” I asked her. She did. I snapped a quick photo of her and showed her the screen. She loved it. She was finally calm, and not a moment too soon. The doors opened at my stop, and I said goodbye.
As I ran for the door, the bus burst into applause. Even the bus driver had a soft smile on his face. I opened my umbrella on the street, leaving behind a glimpse of humanity on a dreary morning.
Do you have a quintessential New York moment you think would make a great Diary entry? If so, submit it to the Times via this link and let me know when it’s published!
Until next time,
Words of the Week
"The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding." —John Updike
Photo of the Week
Have you heard of the app Too Good to Go? I’m a recent convert. This ingenious app connects you with local restaurants and shops selling surplus food at steep discounts—typically 1/3 of regular prices. The twist? Each pickup is a surprise and must be gathered during a specific time window, making every order feel like a culinary treasure hunt.
I've discovered incredible deals that have transformed our dining routine—a hearty Dig Inn bowl with protein for just $5.40, or 3-4 slices of artisanal pizza from Unregular Pizza for $6.50. My recent score? An Eataly bag ($8.70) packed with gourmet treasures—premium cheeses, fresh focaccia, salads, sheep’s milk yogurt (something I had never tried before!), and a roast beef sandwich. For the health-conscious, Juice Press offers $9.99 bags filled with cold-pressed juice and food. Sweet tooth? Tarallucci e Vino's $5.40 bag typically includes 3-4 really great pastries.
While the app tends to feature carb-heavy options like pizza and bagels, you can find healthy alternatives by exploring different neighborhoods. Since pickup windows are usually brief and often at closing time, I often get food the night before for next-day meals.
Too Good To Go is actually more popular in Europe than in the US, but it's rapidly expanding across American cities and chances are, it’s where you live too. By using the app, you're joining millions worldwide in the fight against food waste while discovering new favorite foods and saving money. It's a rare win-win-win that makes doing good feel deliciously rewarding.
I’ve really been enjoying using the app—have you tried it yet?
Lia, your good heart and kind spirit was evident to all on that bus ride. The little girl’s life was changed by sheer kindness and everyone witnessed your beautiful selfless act with a round of applause. Your article should be published. I never tried the food app but once when I was in the local French bakery as it is was about to close, they gave me free loaves of bread. 💕💕💕
Sorry to be a critic, but too many adjectives in your metropolitan diary entry. Story needs a lighter touch so it speaks for itself.