Meeting New York’s Sandwich Men
Despite being a modern city, you'll still spot old-school sandwich men on New York's streets. An unlikely job, but one that's holding strong!
Where to See Sandwich Board Carriers in New York
- This job has largely disappeared in Europe, but it thrives in New York. We’re talking about sandwich board carriers—people who stand on sidewalks holding advertising signs or wearing promotional boards on their backs.
- You’ll spot them throughout New York, especially in Times Square and the Financial District. Often, this demanding and poorly paid work attracts undocumented immigrants trying to earn a few dollars. Local authorities generally tolerate the practice.
What Do Sandwich Board Carriers Do?
- Some distribute promotional cards for nightclubs or adult entertainment venues, while others advertise retail shops of all kinds. In the photo above, you can see a “Human Billboard” promoting a cell phone repair shop near Wall Street—a smart way to reach busy businesspeople.
- What really impresses me each time are the “Human Directionals”—people holding directional signs. Unlike the billboard carriers, these workers stay in one spot for hours, holding an arrow or sign pointing to a nearby shop or restaurant just off the main pedestrian flow. Next time you pass one of these sandwich board carriers, feel free to say hello!
