Despite a strong urge not to, I put two thumbs up and gave him an “Ayyy!”

He gave me his best “leave me alone” look. I felt terrible. True New Yorkers don’t acknowledge celebrities.

The next day, I mentioned what had happened to a co-worker and wondered whether it really was Henry Winkler. My co-worker had read in the paper that day that he was in New York to star in a Broadway show and that it must have been him.

That night, I walked home along the same block, saw a crowd and noticed Mr. Winkler there again.

Again, despite the strongest urge not to, I gave him a thumbs-up “Ayyy!” He looked at me as though he wanted to punch me.

The next day, my co-worker laughed and said I had to continue the routine until Mr. Winkler acknowledged me.

Walking home that night, I saw a crowd and in the middle, Mr. Winkler. As I got closer, he noticed me and just stared. I knew by then that I had better just keep walking.

But when I got within a few feet of him, I heard him yell, “Hey! Hey!”

I looked over. He had two thumbs up and a huge smile on his face.

“Ayyyyy!”

— Wasim Husain

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