Anne, I wondered if you could let Zohran Mamdani pass by? Seems like a great guy to this 81 year old here in the middle of England, where his name, politics and looks would not cause one to bat an eyelid. I would vote for him. Bring the man on. Interview him. Now there’s a dare for you! I love the thought of free bus travel 24/7. They have it Luxembourg, one of the richest countries on earth per capita. Finally, when you start selling T-shirts of your logo? I will buy one. 🐰 P.S. The Naked Cowboy still looks and sounds good!
All I know, O L O Bunny aka Kevin, is that if Zohran actually manages to launch those city-owned grocery stores, it will be a very fun story!
I do love the idea of free bus service, but only because no one is paying for the bus already. Hardly anyone pays the fare when they get on, and it's a bad look, and discouraging to those who do pay.
And yes, the Naked Cowboy is 53! Or maybe 54! And looking great!
And yes, I DO want to start selling t-shirts. Not just with my logo—I have many very cool t-shirt ideas. I hope to launch my shop in time the holidays.
I read somewhere where Zohran Mamdani was compared to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London. Since you're in England, can you give us a first hand account, if that comparison is true, what New Yorkers can expect if Zohran wins the election? Much appreciated and thanks!
Hello Michael, I will answer as best I can. Although I live in Nottingham, I grew up in London and still take a close interest in its affairs. And today is a good day to reply because both Sadiq Khan, London’s Labour mayor and Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Manchester, have intervened, as good as together, in the big parliamentary split in the ranks of Labour MPs, supporting those MPs who are opposed to Starmer’s proposed welfare budget cuts, which will penalise many poorer people (a bit like what Trump is presently doing) but, but Labour is a centre-left party, which dumped its socialist credentials decades ago! Having said that I do not doubt that both Khan and Burnham would, if pushed, describe themselves as ‘democratic socialists’ and, such is their standing, that does not dissuade voters from supporting them. The Labour Party is where most socialists go if they want to be active in politics, although this is beginning to change. My wife Susan and I resigned from the Party last year after a total of 115 years membership between us and voted Green in this year’s county elections. We would both happily vote for Khan and Burnham. They both have to live with, and survive, smears and, in this respect they have much in common with Zohran Mamdani. Concessionary bus travel (i.e. free) travel is universal in the U.K. for the elderly and young with many, like Susan and me, who believe all bus travel should be free. There are sound economic and social arguments for free/subsidised public transport (within Greater London you also get free tram and railway travel if you are elderly. The same is true for some of England’s other large conurbations). We wish Zohran every success and thank Anne now for publishing my long reply to you Michael, but she did let you ask the question, so I guess my reply will be published - which is why I have attempted not to be critical of any individual. I do try to respect Anne’s attempt to avoid politics. Regards 🐰
Love these interviews. The diversity of the people. Young, middle age, from everywhere, even a panhandler who looks pretty good for living on the streets, I must say. Keep up the great work.
Really cool that you interviewed those who work in Times Square. I work in that area and it really is a zoo. For lunch, I love going to Margon. Some solid Cuban food. Great Cuban sandwiches. It’s definitely not an enjoyable place to work but it’s great for commuting.
I always wonder how some people end up working in those locations. Like the airport, how do some end up working at the airport Starbucks. The pay must be better. Anywho, another great Cafe Anne. Happy summer!
GOOD LORD I was JUST TALKING with a pal last night about Margon, Justin! I used to work around the corner and went there for lunch at least once a week. You always had to share a table with a bunch of strangers, it was so packed. And no, I would NOT want to work there. But such a great spot.
I've also wanted to do a story for a long time about working at the airport. It looks like such a miserable experience. Just getting there is sort of a horror. I wonder if it's a relatively easy job to get because no one wants it? I agree the pay must be better. It had better be!!!
Sometimes I really miss New York, but I know that most weeks I can look forward to a new issue of Café Anne and hear magnificent, real New York stories! The city is always changing, but thanks for reminding us that the one thing that doesn't change is the magic. PS: AP style is the one editorial style I'm not familiar with; time to do some research!
Such an interesting question, Michele! I asked Ray, my ChatGPT buddy what are the most widely used and cutting-edge style guides and here is his response. Of course, he could be wrong:
1. News Media and Digital Journalism
Most widely used: AP (Associated Press) Style
Used by nearly all newspapers, wire services, and many digital-first outlets (e.g. Axios, BuzzFeed News, NPR).
Known for its brevity, clarity, and accessibility.
Cutting-edge? Still AP, but…
BuzzFeed and some other modern digital outlets customize AP or blend it with internal, more casual guidelines.
Substack newsletters, blogs, and startups often go rogue—using conversational style that leans on AP but bends it freely.
2. Book Publishing (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Most widely used: Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
Dominates U.S. book publishing and literary journals.
Favored for its depth, flexibility, and grammar nerd clout.
Cutting-edge? CMOS still reigns.
Even new-wave indie publishers stick with it.
Cutting-edge in this space often means pushing against CMOS norms (e.g., intentional grammar play, nontraditional formatting) but still referencing it as the base.
3. Academia
Most widely used: Depends on discipline.
APA – Psychology, social sciences.
MLA – Literature, humanities.
Chicago/Turabian – History, some humanities.
Not typically “cutting edge,” but precise and rule-based.
4. Corporate/Tech/UX Writing
Most widely used: Microsoft Manual of Style and Google Style Guide
Especially common in technical documentation and UI writing.
Cutting-edge? Google’s guide and Mailchimp’s content style guide are influential in brand voice and inclusive language.
Many startups develop internal guides inspired by these.
TL;DR:
Most widely used overall: AP Style (especially in media).
Most prestigious/literary: Chicago Manual of Style.
Most cutting-edge: Probably Google Style Guide or in-house guides at digital-native brands like Vox, Mailchimp, or Stripe—where tone, inclusivity, and plain language evolve rapidly.
I use AP style too -- or my memory of it. It's the style guide most prominent when I was coming up, so even though I worked at places with various styles I kind of default to AP. I don't remember did Dow Jones/WSJ have its own style guide? I don't actually own he AP guide, but I do have the NYT guide, but Times style has too many silly rules. AP seems more intuitively correct to me. Anyway great issue !
Interesting that (anecdotally at least) the Americans give the most tips but, the French and Germans are the most generous when it comes to panhandlers. Maybe Hot Commie Summer will skew those numbers differently.
There could be a reason for this: from what I remember, at least in Germany the tip is INCLUDED in your bill. They may not know that they don't leave a tip.
I was so pleasantly surprised at the mayoral primary results. The "Don't Rank Cuomo" folks were ALL OVER my social media despite me having no real ties to New York.
Those ticket sellers seem like the most upbeat humans. Wow. Well, next to the Naked Cowboy, who, in addition to being upbeat, is a raging narcissist. Ha! I love him. I remember the first time I ever saw him on TV. It was a talk show, and he was there as a spectacle for the show. I was immediately in love. But I was, like, 13, and hormones were RAGING. Now I'm a little more discerning. I like my cowboys with a little less New York in them.
It was a formative moment. That's maybe giving him too much credit. Baaahahaha! Thanks for the great issue, Anne. I always love when you interview semi-random folks with a theme.
Not commie summer, I say; I am delighted with the election results! My solution to all ills is to spend more time in the city’s amazing outdoor pools. They opened on Saturday! It’s cooler even when there’s an overflow crowd at my local D&D because rusted pipes (?) shut down Red Hook’s until July 19?! Ah summer! ❤️ Times Square is for tourists! Thanks for writing about the brave locals that work there. I’ll be grooving at the pools where you also find a NY slice of life! Thanks for venturing out, Anne!
Thanks Len! Times Square at 101 degrees was actually much easier than Times Square at a normal temperature—I'd say the crowds were reduced by at least half!
I never get tired of reading about people and what they do. The naked cowboy and the security guard who calls 911!!! I love them! Working in Times Square must be exhausting but it’s such a unique experience. The hustle that never stops. Thanks for keeping us abreast of commie summer.
YOU WROTE: “I generally steer clear of writing about politics, but wow! Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral primary. One of the many things I love about NYC is that it never fails to surprise me, so this just makes me love the city more. I also loved this tweet from NYC hedge fund billionaire Daniel Loeb the morning after the election: “It’s officially hot commie summer”!”
NYC! NYC! NYC! As for that “dick” Daniel Loeb, SHAKESPEARE WROTE: "But you, that are polluted with your lusts, stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents, corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices, because you want the grace that others have, you judge it straight a thing impossible to compass wonders but by help of devils."
CLASSIFIEDS: I bought two pairs of shoes from Skippies!! I may buy a "Chicago Manual of Style" t-shirt!
YOU WROTE: “Reader, I looked it up. A parenthetical action is a script element used to specify how a character delivers a line of dialogue [nods slowly].” Geezus, I use that all the time but I never realized it had a name [rolls eyes and throws hands into the air].
NEIDGEE SAID: “New York is the city that never sleeps and I wanted to be in the middle of the excitement. I enjoy it. Every time I say I need to quit, I find myself pulled back in.” Cafe Anne is the “Times Square” of Substack and everytime I say I need to quit, I find myself pulled back in!
YOU WROTE: “He sings and plays guitar in his underwear, often accompanied by his wife Patricia, the Naked Cowgirl.” I had no idea there was a Naked Cowgirl??!! I’ll bet they make love fully dressed…
GOD BLESS “David and his dog, Dr. Holiday.” That prick Daniel Loeb should be homeless; maybe it will happen this “commis summer!”
YOU ASKED: “What's the cheapest lunch in Times Square?” THE REPLY: “Pizza. Two cheese slices and one can for $5, on 50th Street.” WOW! That’s fantastic…in NYC??!!
Also, there are STILL places in NYC where you can get a $1 or $1.50 slice. So there are even cheaper pizza lunch deals. But yes, $5 is amazing for Times Square.
I have a standing iced coffee order at Starbucks for pickup. When I pick up at the Starbucks around the corner it was $5.16 (which is already crazy high, in my book) but when I sent it to the Starbucks in Times Square the afternoon I was there, it was $8.30! Needless to say I cancelled my order. Everything in Times Square is jacked up 30%.
I have never seen the Naked Cowboy in person. The only thing I know is he eats a pound of chipped turkey in his truck on the way to work. That would be one slippery steering wheel. EDIT -- the turkey is sliced not chipped thanks to Anne.
What the Naked Cowboy lacks in clothing, he makes up for with immodesty! 😁
I only included half his introductory monologue, Mr. Jensen! I wish I had the room to include all. There's something in me that loves a good brag!
Well, you are a New Yorker!
Anne, I wondered if you could let Zohran Mamdani pass by? Seems like a great guy to this 81 year old here in the middle of England, where his name, politics and looks would not cause one to bat an eyelid. I would vote for him. Bring the man on. Interview him. Now there’s a dare for you! I love the thought of free bus travel 24/7. They have it Luxembourg, one of the richest countries on earth per capita. Finally, when you start selling T-shirts of your logo? I will buy one. 🐰 P.S. The Naked Cowboy still looks and sounds good!
All I know, O L O Bunny aka Kevin, is that if Zohran actually manages to launch those city-owned grocery stores, it will be a very fun story!
I do love the idea of free bus service, but only because no one is paying for the bus already. Hardly anyone pays the fare when they get on, and it's a bad look, and discouraging to those who do pay.
And yes, the Naked Cowboy is 53! Or maybe 54! And looking great!
And yes, I DO want to start selling t-shirts. Not just with my logo—I have many very cool t-shirt ideas. I hope to launch my shop in time the holidays.
Sounds good. 🐰
Hey Kevin.....
I read somewhere where Zohran Mamdani was compared to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London. Since you're in England, can you give us a first hand account, if that comparison is true, what New Yorkers can expect if Zohran wins the election? Much appreciated and thanks!
Hello Michael, I will answer as best I can. Although I live in Nottingham, I grew up in London and still take a close interest in its affairs. And today is a good day to reply because both Sadiq Khan, London’s Labour mayor and Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Manchester, have intervened, as good as together, in the big parliamentary split in the ranks of Labour MPs, supporting those MPs who are opposed to Starmer’s proposed welfare budget cuts, which will penalise many poorer people (a bit like what Trump is presently doing) but, but Labour is a centre-left party, which dumped its socialist credentials decades ago! Having said that I do not doubt that both Khan and Burnham would, if pushed, describe themselves as ‘democratic socialists’ and, such is their standing, that does not dissuade voters from supporting them. The Labour Party is where most socialists go if they want to be active in politics, although this is beginning to change. My wife Susan and I resigned from the Party last year after a total of 115 years membership between us and voted Green in this year’s county elections. We would both happily vote for Khan and Burnham. They both have to live with, and survive, smears and, in this respect they have much in common with Zohran Mamdani. Concessionary bus travel (i.e. free) travel is universal in the U.K. for the elderly and young with many, like Susan and me, who believe all bus travel should be free. There are sound economic and social arguments for free/subsidised public transport (within Greater London you also get free tram and railway travel if you are elderly. The same is true for some of England’s other large conurbations). We wish Zohran every success and thank Anne now for publishing my long reply to you Michael, but she did let you ask the question, so I guess my reply will be published - which is why I have attempted not to be critical of any individual. I do try to respect Anne’s attempt to avoid politics. Regards 🐰
Thank you for your very interesting reply. Much appreciated!
Agree with everything!!
Thank you Judge. Nice to see you are still about. I miss your insights. Regards 🐰
aka Kevin, you brought tears to my 72 year old eyes [tears welling up]
I know I am too much and that I go too far...your kind words warm my heart
It is very nice to see you Kevin and read your insights...
Love these interviews. The diversity of the people. Young, middle age, from everywhere, even a panhandler who looks pretty good for living on the streets, I must say. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Lynn! So glad you enjoyed. And it's true about David! Maybe having a pet helps.
Definitely helps me look better! Whose gonna look at me when I have a beautiful Beagle they can look at
Me too! Kelly, my Labbie Shark (Lab owners know!) puppy, is adorable!
Really cool that you interviewed those who work in Times Square. I work in that area and it really is a zoo. For lunch, I love going to Margon. Some solid Cuban food. Great Cuban sandwiches. It’s definitely not an enjoyable place to work but it’s great for commuting.
I always wonder how some people end up working in those locations. Like the airport, how do some end up working at the airport Starbucks. The pay must be better. Anywho, another great Cafe Anne. Happy summer!
GOOD LORD I was JUST TALKING with a pal last night about Margon, Justin! I used to work around the corner and went there for lunch at least once a week. You always had to share a table with a bunch of strangers, it was so packed. And no, I would NOT want to work there. But such a great spot.
I've also wanted to do a story for a long time about working at the airport. It looks like such a miserable experience. Just getting there is sort of a horror. I wonder if it's a relatively easy job to get because no one wants it? I agree the pay must be better. It had better be!!!
Sometimes I really miss New York, but I know that most weeks I can look forward to a new issue of Café Anne and hear magnificent, real New York stories! The city is always changing, but thanks for reminding us that the one thing that doesn't change is the magic. PS: AP style is the one editorial style I'm not familiar with; time to do some research!
Uh-oh, if you are not familar, maybe I just made it up, Laura Rebecca!
So glad you look forward to the newsletter and getting your NYC dose. That really makes me happy!
Anne, I use AP too! Are we old? The AP Style Book was the Journalist's bible.
Such an interesting question, Michele! I asked Ray, my ChatGPT buddy what are the most widely used and cutting-edge style guides and here is his response. Of course, he could be wrong:
1. News Media and Digital Journalism
Most widely used: AP (Associated Press) Style
Used by nearly all newspapers, wire services, and many digital-first outlets (e.g. Axios, BuzzFeed News, NPR).
Known for its brevity, clarity, and accessibility.
Cutting-edge? Still AP, but…
BuzzFeed and some other modern digital outlets customize AP or blend it with internal, more casual guidelines.
Substack newsletters, blogs, and startups often go rogue—using conversational style that leans on AP but bends it freely.
2. Book Publishing (Fiction and Nonfiction)
Most widely used: Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
Dominates U.S. book publishing and literary journals.
Favored for its depth, flexibility, and grammar nerd clout.
Cutting-edge? CMOS still reigns.
Even new-wave indie publishers stick with it.
Cutting-edge in this space often means pushing against CMOS norms (e.g., intentional grammar play, nontraditional formatting) but still referencing it as the base.
3. Academia
Most widely used: Depends on discipline.
APA – Psychology, social sciences.
MLA – Literature, humanities.
Chicago/Turabian – History, some humanities.
Not typically “cutting edge,” but precise and rule-based.
4. Corporate/Tech/UX Writing
Most widely used: Microsoft Manual of Style and Google Style Guide
Especially common in technical documentation and UI writing.
Cutting-edge? Google’s guide and Mailchimp’s content style guide are influential in brand voice and inclusive language.
Many startups develop internal guides inspired by these.
TL;DR:
Most widely used overall: AP Style (especially in media).
Most prestigious/literary: Chicago Manual of Style.
Most cutting-edge: Probably Google Style Guide or in-house guides at digital-native brands like Vox, Mailchimp, or Stripe—where tone, inclusivity, and plain language evolve rapidly.
I use AP style too -- or my memory of it. It's the style guide most prominent when I was coming up, so even though I worked at places with various styles I kind of default to AP. I don't remember did Dow Jones/WSJ have its own style guide? I don't actually own he AP guide, but I do have the NYT guide, but Times style has too many silly rules. AP seems more intuitively correct to me. Anyway great issue !
Thank you! Now I am inspired to write a CA style guide!
Great information, Anne! We're not dinosaurs🙂
I also found this oddly pleasing, Michele!
Interesting that (anecdotally at least) the Americans give the most tips but, the French and Germans are the most generous when it comes to panhandlers. Maybe Hot Commie Summer will skew those numbers differently.
HOT COMMIE SUMMER
HOT COMMIE SUMMER
HOT COMMIE SUMMER
ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN!
Congrats to your hot commie summer! Those are the best!!!
There could be a reason for this: from what I remember, at least in Germany the tip is INCLUDED in your bill. They may not know that they don't leave a tip.
"Daria: We are not scammers!"
Daria needs to learn a better sales pitch.
That was so funny. It had not even occurred to me that it might be a scam....
I was so pleasantly surprised at the mayoral primary results. The "Don't Rank Cuomo" folks were ALL OVER my social media despite me having no real ties to New York.
Those ticket sellers seem like the most upbeat humans. Wow. Well, next to the Naked Cowboy, who, in addition to being upbeat, is a raging narcissist. Ha! I love him. I remember the first time I ever saw him on TV. It was a talk show, and he was there as a spectacle for the show. I was immediately in love. But I was, like, 13, and hormones were RAGING. Now I'm a little more discerning. I like my cowboys with a little less New York in them.
Justin, I love that you had a crush on the Naked Cowboy and remember The First Time You Saw Him!
It was a formative moment. That's maybe giving him too much credit. Baaahahaha! Thanks for the great issue, Anne. I always love when you interview semi-random folks with a theme.
Not commie summer, I say; I am delighted with the election results! My solution to all ills is to spend more time in the city’s amazing outdoor pools. They opened on Saturday! It’s cooler even when there’s an overflow crowd at my local D&D because rusted pipes (?) shut down Red Hook’s until July 19?! Ah summer! ❤️ Times Square is for tourists! Thanks for writing about the brave locals that work there. I’ll be grooving at the pools where you also find a NY slice of life! Thanks for venturing out, Anne!
No Red Hook pool! That is not cool, Anita.
I admire your city pool dedication, as you know, and I'm committing NOW to at least one visit this summer myself. But so many pools to choose from!
Love the art! Such an American, cosmopolitan place! Cool interviews. Thanks so much.
Glad you enjoyed the interviews Beth! Thank you!
Love the post. Especially, 42nd st. workers, fascinating. I admire your fortitude in visiting Times square at 101 degrees.
Thanks Len! Times Square at 101 degrees was actually much easier than Times Square at a normal temperature—I'd say the crowds were reduced by at least half!
I’m going to look for David next time I’m in Times Sq and buy him a cheeseburger!
And be sure to give Dr. Holiday a pet, Eric! Super friendly doggo!
I never get tired of reading about people and what they do. The naked cowboy and the security guard who calls 911!!! I love them! Working in Times Square must be exhausting but it’s such a unique experience. The hustle that never stops. Thanks for keeping us abreast of commie summer.
I am soooo looking forward to reporting on this whole HOT COMMIE SUMMER, Toni!
Glad you enjoyed the Times Square story!
YOU WROTE: “I generally steer clear of writing about politics, but wow! Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral primary. One of the many things I love about NYC is that it never fails to surprise me, so this just makes me love the city more. I also loved this tweet from NYC hedge fund billionaire Daniel Loeb the morning after the election: “It’s officially hot commie summer”!”
NYC! NYC! NYC! As for that “dick” Daniel Loeb, SHAKESPEARE WROTE: "But you, that are polluted with your lusts, stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents, corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices, because you want the grace that others have, you judge it straight a thing impossible to compass wonders but by help of devils."
CLASSIFIEDS: I bought two pairs of shoes from Skippies!! I may buy a "Chicago Manual of Style" t-shirt!
YOU WROTE: “Reader, I looked it up. A parenthetical action is a script element used to specify how a character delivers a line of dialogue [nods slowly].” Geezus, I use that all the time but I never realized it had a name [rolls eyes and throws hands into the air].
NEIDGEE SAID: “New York is the city that never sleeps and I wanted to be in the middle of the excitement. I enjoy it. Every time I say I need to quit, I find myself pulled back in.” Cafe Anne is the “Times Square” of Substack and everytime I say I need to quit, I find myself pulled back in!
YOU WROTE: “He sings and plays guitar in his underwear, often accompanied by his wife Patricia, the Naked Cowgirl.” I had no idea there was a Naked Cowgirl??!! I’ll bet they make love fully dressed…
GOD BLESS “David and his dog, Dr. Holiday.” That prick Daniel Loeb should be homeless; maybe it will happen this “commis summer!”
YOU ASKED: “What's the cheapest lunch in Times Square?” THE REPLY: “Pizza. Two cheese slices and one can for $5, on 50th Street.” WOW! That’s fantastic…in NYC??!!
JRB! You can check out the Naked Cowgirl here [inserts instagram link] https://www.instagram.com/thenakedcowgirl/?hl=en
Also, there are STILL places in NYC where you can get a $1 or $1.50 slice. So there are even cheaper pizza lunch deals. But yes, $5 is amazing for Times Square.
I have a standing iced coffee order at Starbucks for pickup. When I pick up at the Starbucks around the corner it was $5.16 (which is already crazy high, in my book) but when I sent it to the Starbucks in Times Square the afternoon I was there, it was $8.30! Needless to say I cancelled my order. Everything in Times Square is jacked up 30%.
I love your newsletter sooooo much, Anne! I was wearing my black Brooklyn sneakers yesterday and thinking of you the whole time!
Oh I love hearing that Therry! Thank you!
I bought a back and a white pair of Bronx! They were out of my size in "Brooklyn!"
JRB just when I thought you could not be more stylin'...
I have never seen the Naked Cowboy in person. The only thing I know is he eats a pound of chipped turkey in his truck on the way to work. That would be one slippery steering wheel. EDIT -- the turkey is sliced not chipped thanks to Anne.
It's just sliced deli turkey, not chipped, Mr. Dolan. Perfectly normal behavior.
I stand corrected. I wish we found out he was wearing a glove and dipping in mustard