They Were Punched and Took to TikTok

A series of viral videos from several young female TikTok users, who posted emotional dispatches about getting punched on city streets, caused concern this week about the topic among fans online. Halley Kate Mcgookin, a social media influencer with more than a million followers, posted on Monday morning that she was sending an email on…

Searching for the Ideal Fish Taco

In the business of reporting on and reacting to culture — whether it’s theater, film, music, books or restaurants — eventually something you write will end up in promotional advertising. I’m a living example: If you’ve ever ordered a fish taco from Tacombi on a delivery app, then you might have noticed its description starts…

Improvise With Swiss Chard

For almost two years, I had managed to avoid a New York inevitability: attending an improv comedy show. That streak came to an end this month. Thankfully, it was at the hands of my hilarious friend Meg, who invited me to her improv class’s showcase. Equipped with a classmate’s prompt about working at a farmers’…

Dal Is the Ultimate Comfort Food

One of my favorite Hindi terms is “ghar ka khaana.” It literally means “home food,” but it also encompasses the singular joy and unfussiness of meals made in your own kitchen — the dishes that remind you of childhood, the ones you won’t often find in restaurants. My quintessential ghar ka khaana? Dal. To make…

Are Travel Loyalty Programs at Risk?

On Tuesday, the largest credit card companies in the United States reached an agreement with merchants to reduce the so-called swipe fees retailers pay for accepting credit card payments, potentially saving the retailers $30 billion. These fees also help fund the credit card rewards programs that many travelers redeem for things like free flights and…