NYC's Top Shoe Shine guy

[williamwilson666]

Genuine servant and an impressive service, but some of the Neanderthal comments on this page imply the very worst stereotypes people hold against Americans. A shame, because this man typifies some of the very best.

[MusicFromRobE]

I'm just not convinced. He loves what he does. Yelling at people, trying to squeeze $3 out of peoples pocket sounds fun to me! Why is he mad that people are pulling out $100 bucks for a $3 shoeshine and want change? Because they work (a lot) harder than you and since you got to them before the other dollar menu(Mcdonalds) I guess they would want change for their large bill, since he has been on the corner for 8 years at that spot and doing it for 20years total, you'd expect him to have change.

[TheBrainAttic]

Just saw him yesterday

[SPIDER]

great personality but needs to get his teeth cleaned or replaced..it's good to get service from an appealing person.

[KelferMookie]

Enough for a beer and a hamburger and a hotel room for the week.

[quemedices1980]

i was wondering if anybody knows another term for shoeshiner apart from bootblack, please.

[SuperMangn]

It may look like he makes a high income in untaxed cash. Downside is that the streets are full of criminals who either want a cut of the profits or a daily tariff to be where he is.

[boneyard76]

Does he have to call people out as they past by, about the condition of their shoes, I would think that would turn many people off?

[MrFrontallobotomy]

$3.00! Is that all? Thats cheap.

[jpschubbs]

Hell yes.  If I'm ever in New York, I'm going to look this guy up. It's great to see someone loving what they do.

[Kevlar281]

250,000 shines x $3.00 / 20 years = $37,500 a year + tips...not a bad wage for doing something you love.

[Maxobillion]

@Kevlar281 No to mention that it's all cash. IRS probably sees none of it.

[NYWAORCANZ]

@Maxobillion

nor should they,THey are criminals.What will they do give your money to the IMF or fund a war with it.

At least we know this guy will use some of that money in his community and not ship it off to the World Bank or buy high tech weapons to kill millions of people.

Nuff said

[SpyroTheDragon9972]

I'm going to New York soon and hopefully I'll get the chance to meet this guy!

[docwondernuts]

A good shine is worth $20

[geminiwoe]

You think he really loves what he does? Never! He just doesn't know what else to do. Slave mentality. Poor bastard.

[tornmask]

Brotha man is Alright!..i will take that trip one day & say "how u do'n" Sir! =0]

[HumaninSeoul]

Is 2 bucks the standard rate for a shoe shine? Seems awfully cheap in my book. This guy seems pretty nice. I'd walk up to his stand after shining the shit outta my shoes just to see if he'd still take the money or if he'd be honest enough to turn me away since they already sparkle. If he wouldn't take the money for nothing I'd go back to see him. Honesty is key ^_^ hehe

[phototristan]

Not sure how he can make a living and afford to live in NY on $3.00 a shoe shine. If I'm ever in the area I'll tip him like $10. 

[magic8ball78]

@phototristan it's weird, I just did the math. He says he's done over a quarter million shoes and he's been on that corner for 20 years. Just on that alone it equals $37,500/yr. But since that was just this location, add in tips or w/e, I'd say he's making $30-35,000 a year. Could be less, but not bad for somebody who enjoys what they're doing and lives a simple life style. Many would be envious.

[lkpcs]

DAm just wanna get my shoes done by this guy.

[redazi1]

love this man 

[lightningthunder666]

@redazi1 why dont you marry him then you can bare back his arse every night

[5tonyvvvv]

A True NYorker.raw  no bullshit to the point..FUgetabout it!!

[mrantihippie]

damn that guy is fast!

[smurfarooney2003]

this guy seems like a real charactor

[feckham123]

hehe funny man would love to meet him!

[aleksandrhall]

Shit the guy should charge $10 per shoe. Shining sucks balls. Takes me hours to get a decent shine.

[redazi1]

nice guy deserve a lot and funy

[OUWATZAHLE08]

thoese teeth looooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooool

[OUWATZAHLE08]

SHOE SHINER LEBANON WORST JOB MAN AND HES PROUD LOL

[jszack]

Don made my day yesterday when I was feeling down.

[masterrexboots]

@haiIsatan

Of course !

[chains1240]

Great video. Great outlook.

[USAFFuturePilot]

love when people take care of their shoes. for 3 bucks I'd have some one who cares do it for only 3 bucks.

[lenaeaddy]

All I wanna know is who is holding the shoe shine guy original cart hostage! ? Just wanna let you know you had this guy moping on the corner for months trying to rebuild his life/cart! He is hilarious and mean all at the same time! Also who did he sucker into renting AD space on the side of his cart!

[MrJacobGraham]

Fuck the Shoes! Look at those teeth!

[hfadae]

Oh I DEFINITELY saw this guy last week, just BATTERED my ego, "Sir! Look at your shoes" and gave me THE most hilarious and embarrassed (for me) look. I mean I was in a hurry and didn't stop, but laughed ALLL the way back to the office. Hilarious, I'll def hit this guy up next time.

[hfadae]

Oh I DEFINITELY saw this guy last week, just BATTERED my ego, "Sir! Look at your shoes" and gave me THE most hilarious and embarrassed (for me) look. I mean I was in a hurry and didn't stop, but laughed ALLL the way back to the office. Hilarious, I'll def hit this guy up next time.

[boneyard76]

Calling people out as they pass by about the condition of there shoes

is a bit to much for me, this dude needs to learn some manners.

[0neofthem]

he shouldn't call people out like that

[redazi]

nice guy surelly love life and just want make a living and wants to make others clean

[fatrick234]

I like that he's happy but man, isn't that what you hate about NYC, so many people trying to confront you.

[HankLafayette]

@fatrick234 One of the nice things about small(ish) town living is that people *usually* don't try to hustle you. If someone wants your attention in a big city, they're usually trying to work some sort of hustle.

[Ranteal]

If someone has to keep telling you they love their job, they hate their job. More often than not said person is basically just making the best out of their current situation. Give him credit, at least he has a sense of humor.

[chain8899]

hey, a jobs a job. Whatever brings home the bacon!

[puntino]

I LOVE this kind of short "documentary". True stories of real people with real world problems! =)

[circask8team]

what but he dosent have a problem he just shine shoeos

[puntino]

I am saying in general. I am not talking specifically about this guy.

[chillipeanuts]

i may start my own shoe shine biz.

[bellehaup]

Wasn't he lovely. 5 Stars.

[freeBOOTshine]

I've heard sometimes people charge as much as $20 per shine. Three dollars seem like very little!!

[A1start]

$3 thatsa bargain

should charge at least $5 for such great service

[hfadae]

I work RIGHT over there, I will be over there to you see you for SURE bro! Plus, three bucks is DEAL if it's a good shine!

[Mikez4]

Nice guy and nice service but theres just something about him I dont like lol!

[elmaschingon142006]

he has a foot fetish nuthing wrong with that

[HankLafayette]

@Mikez4 It really bothers me that he's calling people out. I wouldn't give my business to a man that tried to put me on the spot like that. It's a shame because he probably does a good job.

[Hipsterrunoff]

@Mikez4 Youre probably racist.

[Mikez4]

@Hipsterrunoff Why would I be racist and whats that got to do with my comment? It appears youre assuming im white? Explain.

[regalgsx]

@Mikez4 He would definitely kidnap your Grandmother

[jason012673]

I would actually schedule my times according to Don's...I could not pass by 47th and 6th witout seeing Don..this man is a shine genius in every sense of the word!! I spent many an afternoon at lunch getting my shoes shined and eating the best chicken pita I have ever or wil ever have from the vendor acros the corner from Don...cucumber dressing that will make you want to slap yourself it's so good!!

[downtownford]

he should go to a military school... he'd make a fortune.... those shoes in 0:25 look like corframs!

[Ranteal]

Wow, people in New York actually like wear Mets hats? Wouldnt you want to wear a Yankees hat? Might convey a better shoe shine than a Mets hat :P

[BigAppleChannel1]

Don is located at the corner of 47th and 6th Ave on most days (weather permitting). Great guy. He will make your old, faded leather shoes look like new again.

[railstay]

Where can I find this guy?

[lokisez]

i come in from nj for don to do my shoes. he is the BEST! and he is way entertaining to boot. Boot!

[hasan218]

why is it that hard for us to like what we do ?!!

or shall we do what we like first ?!

i dunno , but this guy is a nice inspiration

[justtryingtolive0]

Damn he needs to do my cadet shoes!!!

[lost0013]

Lol I need him to shine my ROTC shoes

[Fartin4Jesus]

Great vid. Wish my town had a character like him. Good to see a man happy once in a while.

[bukstoper]

Carl At Nashville Shine Thinks your video is Cooler than a polo bear toe nail

[badred34]

wow. people are still using the 'ol n-word. its just getting tired. Out of all the derogatory words "negativity2009" wants to use the n-word.

[LisaBiales]

Thanks for the best shoe shine ever!

[Dropmits7]

man i saw you today on the corner and i am going to come back and get em done