Sunday, May 24, 2009

A Manhattan Mystery: Sad Panda





For several months, New Yorkers have been reporting sightings of a rather unusual beast. "Sad Panda," as he's called, has been showing up all over the city. He mopes around Wall Street. He pouts in front of FAO Schwarz. He rides the subway. (And in true New York fashion, he's generally ignored by his fellow passengers). He'll even offer tourists a melancholy hug.

Who IS this bear? No one seems to know. But apparently he accepts tips.

See a slide show (and read a few theories) here. (BTW, the tourists messing with the Wall Street bull are engaging in a rather distasteful tradition in which few New Yorkers would ever take part.)

23 comments:

Rebel said...

so awesome!!

Cassie said...

Oooo... that's so cute. and so sad! I just want to hug it!!!

Black Cat said...

What do you think he would do if a bamboo stick was nearby?

UU said...

COOL!

Anonymous said...

hey, i think he is upset over the environment or something, and he is pouting cause pandas are going extinct.... in a way he reminds me of Kaspar.... except he is living art. hahahahahha! i love it!!!!

-LD

Grace said...

Poor guy. He's definantly not pretending to be sad for tips, but I wonder what made him chose the panda?

Irregular Kiki said...

A HUG!! Yes please!

Pig flu has made it to AUS! :(

Peacey said...

Wow. That totally made me think of Kaspar. <3. Anyway, now I know what I'm going to do if I grow up! Also: That thing with the bull is the most immature thing I've seen in a looong time.

Black Cat said...

I wonder if old pics of that "Panda Kindergarten" would cheer him up?

liltomboyblue said...

Wow.... I am amused, disgusted, and I don't know.... Kind of strange that an adult male is walking around New York City as a sad panda bear. That's enough to make anyone depressed. But it's cute and sweet too... X3

Peacey: Agreed.

Kitty said...

Wait... Doesn this mean there's a gross post later!?!? OoO

Kitty said...

Awwwww..... ;-;

Anonymous said...

hey kristen since you live in NY, are people telling you to wear masks too? my cousins live in NY and their schools were closed a few weeks ago. i was doing some currents events for my history class on my Wii, and i found out that 2 or 3 people have died in NY cause of Swine flu. makes me worry about my cousins, but i'm sure their fine! :]
-LD

Kirsten Miller said...

Anonymous: I'm not really worried about the swine flu anymore. They say it's not even as dangerous as an average flu! They are closing schools around New York, but most people who get it seem to be fine after a few days. (I only know about one of the people who died. They say he had other health problems.) So don't worry too much about your cousins!

Hazel said...

Be careful, though, my grandmother, a nurse, says it might keep mutating and then come back in the fall and kill people, but everyone will be all, "oh, whatever, swine flu."

Kiwi said...

huh... a panda

Marie said...

It makes me wonder what kind of person that guy is.Is he protesting,depressed,or just wanting to be noticed??I wish stuff like this happened where I live.

But it is pretty dang cute.Awww

Kiel said...

aww thats so cute! you know, that guy who started the "Free Hugs" movement should be wearing a sad panda suit. He'd get A LOT more hugs!!!

Anonymous said...

That's great to hear! thanks kristen.
-LD

Some Lost Melody said...

Pandas rock my socks off! They are m favorite animal. ^_^

Anonymous said...

As for the swine flu, THIS season is basically nothing to worry about, compared to normal flu. It's NEXT season they're worrying about.

I'M just worried because next season we'll have to take 2 flu vaccines.

Anonymous said...

Regine
from Edna Hill Middle School!

Pandas are super cute, i'm reading the Kiki Strike inside the shadow city book as my 7th grade book report! it's a really great book!

sadie said...

I know this guy from camp who gave Sad Panda, like, $5 or something and he got a hug. XD