On the cartoon Popeye, Whimpy is a character who always has a hankering for a hamburger. His most famous line, which he repeats often, is “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” He loves his burgers, but he never seems to have the money to pay for them when his craving strikes. And he always seems to find some kind soul to give him the burger, with the promise of paying later on.
Today when I went out to get my sandwich at lunch time, I felt a bit like Whimpy. I ordered without realizing that they don’t take American Express. I had only brought my Amex cards along with me and left the rest of my wallet at my desk. I told the man behind the counter that I wouldn’t be able to take the sandwich.
“No worries. You take the sandwich now and just pay me later.”
“Huh?” I said.
“Take the sandwich, enjoy your lunch, and bring me the money later,” he repeated.
“Really?” I asked.
“Really,” he said.
This man had never seen me before – I rarely go to this cafe for a sandwich. Of course I brought him the money as soon as I finished my sandwich. He didn’t seem surprised to see me. I thanked him, and told him that he made my day. He just smiled humbly, and wished me a good weekend. It was nice to be reminded that there’s still such a thing as trust among strangers. And I think the world is better off for it.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
On the cartoon Popeye, Whimpy is a character who always has a hankering for a hamburger. His most famous line, which he repeats often, is “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” He loves his burgers, but he never seems to have the money to pay for them when his craving strikes. And he always seems to find some kind soul to give him the burger, with the promise of paying later on. 
That’s funny. I had sort of the same experience yesterday. I went to check out the new vegetarian store – a 10X15 foot storage room in the back of a coffee bar – not a ton of vegetarians to serve in this neck of the woods. They were closed but saw me coming so opened and let me take a look at what they had. I hadn’t really intended to buy anything but thought that since the owner had been good enough to indulge me I’d get something. She rang it up but I didn’t have cash and she doesn’t take credit cards. I had 5 bucks on me but was a dollar short. She said to go ahead and take it and pay latter – no rush. Twice indulged… But around here we all sort of know everybody. Kanab is a nice place but it ain’t NY City. Yours is by far the more spectacular story – I just find it funny that we should have the same sort of experience at the same time.
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Trish, I love this story. It’s so nice to be reminded that kindness is all around us, wherever we happen to call home 🙂
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What a wonderful track stopper. Today, in MN, is our first warm day and people have scurried out of their winter caves. Traffic (small town of 20,000 but it can get congested) is frantic, people are in a rush to suck the life out of our first pre spring day. I found myself getting into their rhythm and returned home to read your writing. Thank you for putting it all into perspective. Thank you for reminding me to not despair, there is oh so much hope in the human spirit.
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Hi Beth,
I always need reminders like this, too. NYC is always frantic, and so many times I find myself getting caught up in the rush. This interaction with this shopkeeper was a nice reminder of how much we can effect one another with even the smallest kindnesses.
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You are right Christa, trust do exist in the world and if you show it then most time people will feel obliged to reciprocate as well. Last Friday my colleague mentioned that on Wednesday after eating in restaurant near our office he realized that they don’t accept credit card. So the restaurant owner told him that its not a problem and he can pay later. He somehow had not been able to do that for last two days and he was feeling so bad that he said that he will go all the way to office on Saturday just to pay that guy.
At the same time this gestures from business owners can also be looked at from marketing angle. The guy is putting on stake $6-10 and might win back his money along with a loyal customer forever.
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Very true, Sumit! He has won a loyal customer for sure.
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