When I was a little kid, we used to sell lemonade on the sidewalk. The going rate was about $0.25 per cup.
In junior high, we used to walk around Sheep's Meadow in Central Park and sell bottles of water for $1.00.
Now, I know having a kid these days is different from previous generations. Kids (especially those that grow up in the city) are so mature and cosmopolitan at such a young age that it continues to astound me. It's particularly fascinating to be dining at a restaurant, only to hear a 5-year old kid at the next table ask whether the frisee salad comes with portabella or porcini mushrooms and whether it's possible to substitute cantalet for the aged reggiano.
But now? I think I've seen everything...
Only in New York. Only in Park Slope.
Looks like an episode of Kiddie Apprentice! (What do you want to bed that one of those boys will end up being my boss someday? I'm thinking: highly likely.)
Posted by: Liberal Banana | June 23, 2006 at 10:52 AM
I guess I'm not as cosmo. as those kids. What's a frisee salad?
Posted by: Waya | June 23, 2006 at 10:55 AM
That is hilarious! Kids really are so sophisticated these days.
Posted by: Stephanie A. | June 23, 2006 at 10:56 AM
What a classic. If the paninis aren't enough, the sitar puts it over the top.
Posted by: 2Dogs&aBaby | June 23, 2006 at 11:20 AM
I don't know if I should laugh or cry.
Posted by: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah | June 23, 2006 at 11:57 AM
Oh my, I don't even think my husband would know what panini is.
Posted by: Leora | June 23, 2006 at 12:00 PM
This should be filed under "There will always be a Park Slope!" Even I'm in shock and I've lived in Brooklyn my entire life.
Posted by: Brooklyn Mama | June 23, 2006 at 12:02 PM
I'm so glad I found this website. Being from NJ (real close to NYC) I soooo get it. Your right....only in NYC. hah too funny.
Posted by: Maniacal | June 23, 2006 at 12:16 PM
That's great!
Here in L.A. the neighbors kids were selling lemonade ($1) and Fiji water ($3). They sold more Fiji water...mainly to other kids
Posted by: Tony | June 23, 2006 at 12:19 PM
I was just looking through craigslist's Missed Connections section this morning (I can't help it - I'm addicted) and saw that a person on there is looking for someone who saw the kids with the panini stand in BK. S/he wants to conduct an interview with that person. Maybe that person should be you. I live in Park Slope and am sad that I missed these guys!
Posted by: elan | June 23, 2006 at 12:39 PM
The kid with the sitar looks serious. He's even got the posture down. Those kids would've fit in so well at the grade schools I went to (in Santa Cruz).
Posted by: freezio | June 23, 2006 at 12:39 PM
And you just know their names are Frasier and Niles! So very funny. Let's see, a wedge of panini or a gallon of gas...
Can't you just hear them talking?
Panini Kid: "Dude, sing about that Insignia DVD player, and I'll score you another panini."
Sitar Boy: "Don't mess with my Art,man..."
Posted by: Mike | June 23, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Well, if they REALLY want to impress me, they should start selling gazpacho and Orangina to go with those paninis.
Posted by: Brian | June 23, 2006 at 12:48 PM
That is hilarious.
Posted by: enygma | June 23, 2006 at 12:49 PM
That kid with the sitar is freaking cracking me up! Every time I look at this photo, I can't help but laugh. I also love that the kid only has one shoe on.
Posted by: Brent | June 23, 2006 at 12:51 PM
Is there a tip jar for the music, or is that complimentary with your purchase?
Posted by: Deanna | June 23, 2006 at 12:51 PM
Panini kid: "Tip Jar, Mam? There's WiFi here. You can just PayPal me now... here's my Skype number if you have any questions..."
Posted by: Mike | June 23, 2006 at 01:01 PM
Ha ha ha! I love the Paypal comment, too.
Posted by: Amy | June 23, 2006 at 01:11 PM
this makes me want to go stick my head in an easy bake oven.
Posted by: dutch from sweet juniper | June 23, 2006 at 01:24 PM
-and it appears, from his finger positions, he actually knows how to play the sitar. Impressive. The other day, in our neighborhood, I saw a kid, sitting on a chair at a curbside, holding a jar of kool-aid, and some dixie-cups. No sign, no table, nothing. Just the kid, a jar of kool-aid, dixie cups, and a chair.
Posted by: Mama Nabi | June 23, 2006 at 02:55 PM
What the heck is a panini?
Posted by: A.Tsai | June 23, 2006 at 03:31 PM
So...if you figure the Korean-American princess daughters of the lumpen proletariat hard working Korean immigrant parents desire/rock the Burberry, LV, Prada etc. How do you think the daughter of a refined metro, Korean-American pops such as yourself, is going to run tastewise?
I will gladly help you run your cardboard tapas stand on the corner when it comes time for you to raise the necessary capital.
Posted by: Mike | June 23, 2006 at 03:34 PM
I love it! Sic the Health Department on them! I hope they washed their hands before making it! ;)
Posted by: Suburban Turmoil | June 23, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Mmmmm, I want one. That is great, I love it.
Posted by: Melissa | June 23, 2006 at 03:55 PM
I am amazed and confounded. You were kidding about the 5-year-old in the restaurant, right?
This just takes the words right out of my mouth.
Posted by: Sarah | June 23, 2006 at 04:30 PM
That kid's going to be a fucking billionaire someday and he's going to be laughing at all of us!
Posted by: Jim | June 23, 2006 at 04:56 PM
The George Harrison wannabe is a totally misunderstood artist, man. And one day, you know, humanity's just gonna, like, wake up, man. 'Cuz it's all bullshit, man. Fake fucking bullshit. Panini and music, man, that's fucking real...
Posted by: zygote daddy | June 23, 2006 at 05:54 PM
I love it. Panini and a Sitar.
That is awesome.
Posted by: Kristen | June 23, 2006 at 06:33 PM
My son just gathered a bag of California poppy seeds from the wilting plants in our sidewalk strip, then tried to sell it to my next-door neighbor for $44. She didn't go for it. I'll suggest panini for next time.
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | June 23, 2006 at 06:33 PM
That is perfect. Ravi Shankar would be proud.
Posted by: GIRLS GONE CHILD | June 23, 2006 at 08:07 PM
Oh My Jesus. . .
Posted by: Pickle's Papa | June 23, 2006 at 08:18 PM
I was going to say...no WAY that's on the UWS!
Posted by: Mom101 | June 23, 2006 at 09:00 PM
So do you think they get beat up by others their own age, or they charge for lectures on franchising? Huh. . .
Posted by: samantha campen | June 24, 2006 at 12:40 AM
I don't know what's funnier, the panini or the sitar. But this is a classic shot, nevertheless.
My kids sold lemonade made from our own lemons from our meyer lemon tree in CA, and they charged a fortune for it. But our neighbor across the street, who was in the restaurant biz, was a sweetheart and bought a whole pitcher for $20. Now that's a neighbor!
Posted by: margalit | June 24, 2006 at 02:20 AM
Chicks dig guys who play sitars.
Posted by: Curt | June 24, 2006 at 01:38 PM
"Got my first real six-string,
ohh at the five and dime...
Played it 'til my fingers bled..."
Posted by: Mike | June 24, 2006 at 02:14 PM
It's the sitar player that makes the tableau. And you know that even though his buddy is keeping a greater share of the profits ('cause he's got Donnie Trump written all over him), sitar boy is gettin' all the ladies.
Posted by: Her Bad Mother | June 24, 2006 at 07:32 PM
That's just scary!
Posted by: Queen of Ass | June 25, 2006 at 12:15 AM
Sorry, but the sitar player needs to go out on his own. He's not doing much for his street cred to be in a partnership with The Panini Kid.
Posted by: misfithausfrau | June 25, 2006 at 10:38 AM
But the real question is, did Panini Kid get some immigrant to make them?
Posted by: MIM | June 25, 2006 at 06:51 PM
So true! Only in New York. Shout out to Brooklyn!
Posted by: J's Mommy | June 25, 2006 at 10:43 PM
That is AWESOME...Now they just need an espresso machine.
Posted by: Multymfoiled | June 25, 2006 at 11:09 PM
The panini's aren't that great but I'd still go for the live music.
Posted by: Jenny | June 26, 2006 at 10:23 AM
That is the funniest damn thing I've seen in a long time. Thanks for that. I was in desparate need of a laugh.
Posted by: Chris | June 26, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, the new Simon and Garfunkel!
Posted by: Ponch | June 26, 2006 at 01:52 PM
The expression on panini kid's face is priceless.
Posted by: pseudostoops | June 30, 2006 at 02:54 PM
Sri Lankan never ever under estimate the team of ZIMBABWEANS. Bcoz we know they are very taelnted team who even beated great team like Aussies, Indians so on. Sri Lankan selection committee has rested the senior players for the upcoming Big series of Asia cup in subcontinent which ll held on June 12th onwards. (0)
Posted by: Angelina | July 04, 2012 at 11:47 AM
The Star panini grdlide is among the best panini sandwich presses sold on the current market, and though this device is terribly costly and can cost up to a couple of hundred bucks per unit, it still is favored by most kitchen-oriented folk and restaurant owners for the following reasons : The Star Panini Griddle Has Effective Griddling Controls : This panini sandwich press is devised with effective griddling controls. Also , each side of the panini sandwich press have the capability to heat up, which gets rid of the necessity to have to turn over your food to cook uniformly.
Posted by: Eric | July 06, 2012 at 07:56 AM
I think so. I think your article will give those people a good reminding. And they will express thanks to you later.
Posted by: バーバリー | September 13, 2013 at 04:17 PM
There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration.That is a great point to bring up.I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith.I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game.Both boys and girls feel the impact of just a moment's pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
Posted by: モンクレール 2014 | September 13, 2013 at 04:17 PM