Do you eavesdrop?

[Vegosiux]

I'm not talking about keyhole peeping and stuff, but when you're out, having a drink, do you tend to listen in to the conversations going on at other tables?

Because I've noticed, lately, I've ended up doing that several times, but seeing as I often go for a beer alone, with a book, sometimes talks in the general vicinity just kind of get filtered through background noise, I suppose, I don't actually intend to listen in on anything (pretty sure I'd not hear anything interesting, anyway). Sometimes it makes me get a smug smirk on my face, though.

Any similar experiences?

 

[Abomination]

I can't help it. If I didn't know better I'd swear I had some form of ADD.

I find being a fly on the wall to be an entertaining experience.

Sometimes I'll even interject into conversations - with mixed results - should someone be discussing a topic I find interesting. I've been able to do it more as I've started having lunches at my girlfriend's work - a cafe in an urban village. The folks there seem far more amicable to random conversation with strangers there.

 

[Nouw]

Yeah I can't help it either, must be something to do with us Kiwi's. I don't like eavesdropping and find it to be more of nuisance than a talent; once I hear a conversation, it's hard to stop listening and more often than not I wish I never heard them.

 

[HoneyVision]

I do it especially at work. It's just office politics. You eavesdrop and you can use information that you hear to your advantage.

Call it manipulative or whatever term you want, but it's how you survive.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Every chance I get, good god, I do.

 

[MysticSlayer]

I think people around me have learned the hard way that I can hear better than they think I can. I don't try to eavesdrop, but there are a certain set of "cue words" that cause me to perk up if I hear them, and the list is long enough that it inevitably will come up in any conversation someone is having. Trying to keep your voice down while saying one of the words only makes it harder to ignore.

 

[Keoul]

All the time.
Being Bi-Lingual it's even more fun when the people you're eavesdropping think that their safe from eavesdroppers. I can't really help it (and It's kinda fun but that's besides the point) MOST of the times I hear because they're talking too damn anyway.

 

[DeimosMasque]

All the time. It comes from bullying in highschool. I learned to keep my ears open and listen to those around me so that if someone was planning on me or insult me I would know about it.

Sort of just kept going after that, its fun though as I get to hear all sorts of things people don't realize they are saying about themselves in public.

 

[game-lover]

Yeah... I'm not gonna lie, I do.

Because I too am incredibly nosy. Still, sometimes I regret it.

You can hear some interesting stuff but you can also hear things that'll just piss you right off.

 

[Artina89]

Yeah, I tend to eavesdrop, but it is usually when I am in a pub alone, which I don't usually do as I am a social drinker, but sometimes I can't help it, especially if the people sat on the next table are loud.

 

[Miss G.]

Nah. I can barely hear the things I need to hear as it is, let alone stuff from other people's random conversations. That and I'm usually lost in thought and outside sounds don't often penetrate.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

It's hard not to when you work in retail.

 

[Spiridion]

Pretty frequently when I'm alone in a public place. I'm kinda surprised sometimes what people will talk about on public transit or in college hallways. I have a few friends that do the same thing, so we'll trade some of the more interesting things we hear with each other.

 

[FPLOON]

Of course! How'd you think I found out about this thread?? *wink wink*

But, seriously... If my Ipod ends up dead before I head home, my ears just end up listening to whatever sounds are around me, whether it be just the silence of the wind, the leaves I step on, or couples talking like they've been together for years...

It reminds me when Peter tried to look at life like a reality show... only instead of my eyes, I use my ears... It's fun...

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

I often hear conversations, but I don't listen in, if that makes sense?
People watching is more my thing, it's quite soothing and not at all creepy.

 

[Strazdas]

Yes. i tend to hear every conversation. i do watch people too, especially on the bus. the things you can hear on a bus....

 

[Amakusa]

All the time, since you can learn interesting things by the stuff that people say. However you can also hear some stupid stuff that makes me want to bang my head.

Heh

 

[Phrozenflame500]

Yup, all the time. If you don't want your conversation to be heard, don't say it in a public place like your bedroom a bar.

 

[ZZoMBiE13]

Being a bit of an extrovert, I'm usually more on the other end of it. I have a pretty big voice that tends to carry and I've been accused of being "outspoken", which is a fair criticism. So typically, I'm more worried that I'm interfering with someone else's conversation or being listened to for just being too overbearing. I just like to talk, laugh, and being generally verbose.