New Yorkers push back on sidewalk selfies as viral clip prompts public-space etiquette debate
A viral TikTok moment sparks renewed discussion about content creators in busy city spaces and how public areas are used.
New Yorkers are pushing back against sidewalk selfies by content creators after a video depicting a group of youths trying to squeeze into a frame on a busy Manhattan sidewalk circulated online. The clip, originally posted on TikTok by user @brennatesta, has since been deleted from the platform but was reposted to Reddit's TikTokCringe community, where it drew rapid attention and sparked renewed discussion about etiquette in public spaces.
During the clip, the group set up a phone on a ledge and began backing into the frame as pedestrians walked forward. A passerby interjected with a sharp remark: "Alright, you guys just all walked backwards while people are walking f--king forwards!" The group giggled uncomfortably as the moment unfolded, and the video drew more than 1,000 comments on Reddit before the post faded from TikTok.
Online commenters largely sided with the annoyed pedestrian, underscoring a broader discomfort with content creators who appear to treat public space as a backdrop. A top Reddit comment read: "Welcome to NYC, now get the f--k out." Another commenter said: "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."
The piece also highlighted Washington Square Park as a frequent backdrop for "shock jock" interviews, pop quizzes and pranks that locals say disrupt the park's quiet, everyday feel. Julia Martin, 22, told The Post that while she once loved the park's unpredictable energy, she now feels it's "unhinged in an annoying way" because of the newer wave of content creators.
Brooklyn resident Alex Loucks, 24, who used to visit the park regularly as a student at NYU, said the influx of creators has altered how people there interact with the space. "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. You have to be on rather than just, like, hanging out with some friends."
Observers say the moment illustrates a wider tension around public spaces and online fame, with locals seeking to preserve a sense of everyday life amid viral culture. There is no immediate policy change, but the conversation reflects a broader pushback against content creators who treat sidewalks and parks as stages.
In a broader context, the online reaction to the clip underscores a growing cultural conversation about how cities accommodate residents and visitors when screens are now a central part of street life. The New York Post’s reporting points to a trend in which a single moment of public frustration becomes a touchstone for broader discussions about space, safety and everyday civility in a city known for its pace and patience-tested sidewalks.
