TikTok, please stop!
A viral reposted video that recently blew up on Reddit’s TikTokCringe subreddit is the latest clip sparking outrage in the ongoing tension between New Yorkers and content creators.
The original video — which has since been deleted from TikTok, was posted by user @brennatesta — shows a group of youngsters trying to all squeeze into the frame in the middle of a busy New York City sidewalk to take a picture.
This is something many busy New Yorkers roll their eyes at — but one annoyed pedestrian expressed what everyone is thinking.
As the group set up their phone on a ledge and obliviously began to back up to position themselves for the shot, they suddenly heard a disgruntled passerby say, “Alright, you guys just all walked backwards while people are walking f–king forwards!”
The group clearly didn’t know how to respond and just giggled amongst themselves.
The interaction quickly garnered over 1,000 comments on Reddit, sparking a widespread discussion.
Many online users sided with the pedestrian, expressing frustration with content creators who seem oblivious to the public space they’re occupying.
“Welcome to NYC, now get the f–k out,” the top comment reads.
Another explained: “This is the specific kind of tourist s–t that New Yorkers hate…This is disrespectful to everyone, not just residents trying to get to fucking work.”
New Yorkers have historically been frustrated by tourists getting in their way, whether it be walking slowly or stopping on the sidewalk to take a picture of a scenic building.
But just as with many other things, content creators have only made it worse.
A prime example of this is annoying social media-obsessed folks abusing Washington Square Park. They often use it as a backdrop for “shock jock-style” interviews, pop quizzes, and pranks — disturbing the peaceful environment that many locals once enjoyed — all for the sake of views and comments.
“Washington Square Park is known for being unhinged, and I love it. But now, it’s unhinged in an annoying way,” Julia Martin, 22, previously told The Post. “They’re here and causing a scene.”
For locals just looking to enjoy the park, this influx of TikTokers has created a sense of unease.
Brooklyn resident Alex Loucks, 24, who used to frequent the park while attending NYU, said it’s “crazy” how much the park has changed.
She confessed to The Post that the overwhelming influx of TikTokers into the park has made her — and her friends — even more wary of being approached than usual, knowing they are likely to end up on camera.
“There’s so many people coming to, like, interview you,” she said. “I don’t mind it — it’s just that we see it a lot. I’m just here for the sun, I’m here to chill. I feel like you have to be on rather than just, like, hanging out at the park with some friends.”
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