Do you eavesdrop?

[The Almighty Aardvark]

I eavesdrop, although mainly because when you're on the C-train with nothing to else distract you it's damn near impossible to block out the voices you hear. People say some interesting stuff in public though... just today there was a guy talking about all of the cities that had a warrant out for his arrest, and talking about how he would frequently sneak across the Canadian-US border. You would think that it's generally not a good idea to announce that you're a criminal in front of a train full of eavesdropping passengers, but this guy seems to think otherwise.

Also, I notice that people often underestimate just how far their voice carries. I work at a climbing gym that sometimes has schools visit and I had a coworker who would regularly comment on how hot the teachers where by "whispering" it to me. Awwkward situation to be. He would say everything from "I'd love to spank her ass" to "What an ugly cow" at a level where they could clearly hear what he was saying.

 

[Chefsbrian]

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

Haha, so true. I've got really good hearing, because In my store (Mall slot, so modestly sized) I can hear staff in the back room while out on the floor. Seriously, I wear headphones during my lunch breaks to keep from overhearing all the customer questions, being the store tech guy and all, its hard not to head out and correct them when the other staff get the complete wrong idea of what somebody needs XD

 

[Valagetti]

EVERYONE SAYS YES!!! Including me, its simply cause we can't help it. It really isn't our fault too if we listen in, cause we got nothing else to do. Half of the time I try not to, cause usually the conversations are boring as shit.

 

[Kolby Jack]

Of course. Knowledge is power. You never know, you might hear that guy at the next table saying in hushed tones "I'm about to get up and go punch that eavesdropping prick in the face." Then you'll be glad you eavesdropped because you'll know what's coming.

 

[IceForce]

I do this as well.

I've even eavesdropped on private conversations that work colleagues were having.
The things you learn about people...

The problem is though, you have to keep a mental note of what you're supposed to know about the person, and what you're NOT supposed to know about them (things you've picked up about them from eavesdropping).

If you don't, it's really easy to 'put your foot in it' and accidentally mention something to the person, something you're not actually supposed to know about them.
And then they say to you "Wait, how did you know that?", "Who told you that?!", etc.

 

[Creator002]

Yes, and it's usually not hard to do. Whenever I'm at a course or school or in the workplace, I'm usually quiet. This tends to leave people talking around me without noticing or caring I'm there. Sometimes it's gruelling hearing people complain about things they don't want to fix, but just ***** about or say things that are factually wrong, but for the most part it's entertaining or gives you the chance to learn something. Either about the people talking or just in general.

 

[GundamSentinel]

Not very often, although sometimes I can't help it. When I'm on my own in public, I generally listen to music. I can't be bothered listening to people prattling on about who-knows-what. When I'm with other people, I pay attention to these people and not to random strangers nearly.

But as I said, sometimes I can't help it. People can sometimes talk really loud or I might catch a snatch of a conversation that interests me. Then I often continue to listen. Or during my studies when another student has a conversation with a supervisor I often like to know what is being said so I might use that information as well.

 

[Full]

I try not to. If I ever do catch something, I usually forget about it an hour later anyway.

I hate being nosey, makes me feel like an asshole.

 

[krazykidd]

I don't mostly because i really don't care what other people talk about. Every instance when i was forced to eavesdrop ( like when i'm on the bus and there are two people in front of me talking loudly), the conversations were dumb. So much that i get annoyed at myself for being unable to ignore them .

However , when i'm in public and holding a conversation , and i catch someone listening in on my conversation , i will purposely say random shit just to fuck with them .

 

[FalloutJack]

I'm pretty good at listening in stealthfully. The problem is that I never hear anything of particular interest to me.

 

[Teoes]

Haha, one person has said "no" so far.

Absolutely, all the time. Part of the business of being at work involves cultivating various relationships and contacts so that as many people tell you as much as possible. Preferably you have several people individually telling you the same thing, so you can more easily cover your sources should you come under question. Never reveal your sources. Always know more than you let on you know.

Revere this man:

 

[dontlooknow]

I'm on the train doing it right now - don't tell, but apparently Deborah's a bit of a ***** and may or may not have got back together with Rick, who's supposed to be seeing Charmayn, and if his mum doesn't get her act together, he's going to get slapped. Who said Bradford was a fun place to live?

 

[IndomitableSam]

I love eavesdropping. If people are going to talk where they can be eard, I'm going to listen. It's great, though most people are boring. Always find all the places where you can't be seen and can overhear stuff going on at work - really helps out if you're in a toxic work environment.

 

[Saelune]

As a introvert with bad social anxiety, I am always eavesdropping, since Im always mentally keeping tabs on everyone around me. Think paranoia, but hopefully not as severe. Its not to get the dirt or anything malicious, just sort of being wary. Plus I usually dont have anyone to talk to to distract me.

 

[Milanezi]

Fuck yeah, and if it's interesting I'll even talk about with the people who are with me. Considering that will probably be my parents, my girlfriend and her parents, they'll probably be in the same process lol Last time I got irritated at the way the woman behind me was treating the waiter and, when she complained that the dessert she had chosen was no longer available (the last three pieces came to my table) I couldn't hold myself, but taste the delicious pie and say, way louder than necessary, "DAMN! This pie is TASTY!" lol I don't usually do this sort of thing, purposefully trying to piss off an unknown person, but the ***** was asking for it, I can't stand people who look down on waiters/waitresses; listening to nearby conversations though, almost second nature lol

 

[Miyenne]

Of course!

When I was working, I'd always listen to my customer's conversations, and I'd often interject when they were talking about something and needed to be further educated.

I am generally not an outgoing person, but I love listening to other people's conversations. It's fun! And you hear some hilarious stuff sometimes.

 

[Artemicion]

Passively, sure. I don't go out of my way to listen to other's conversations, but it's not like it can be helped. People talk.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Most of the time I do, I mean at time I can be bog down in work that I stayed focus at my task only. In saying so I am an quiet person for a reason (I tend to easedrop my work collegue conversation when I'm tidying the stock up on the shopfloor)!