Do you try to listen in to other people`s conversations?

@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
November 6, 2018 5:40pm CST
I often travel on buses and am fascinated by the conversations that I overhear from other passengers. Sometimes I can only hear half of what is being said, because the person is using a mobile phone, but sometimes it is two people talking to each other. The funniest "overhears" are when people are talking about something of which they are completely ignorant, and the temptation to interrupt and put them straight is strong - but always resisted! I was always told when young that it is extremely rude to "earwig" what other people are saying, but quite often it is extremely difficult not to!
11 people like this
16 responses
@snowy22315 (180678)
• United States
6 Nov 18
I. am not usually on public transit but I was Sunday..and since I had talked to the people a bit earlier I couldn't resist chiming in once.
4 people like this
@xander6464 (44241)
• Wapello, Iowa
7 Nov 18
You can't interrupt but you can share the more entertaining conversations with the world via your Blog.
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44241)
• Wapello, Iowa
7 Nov 18
@indexer That's good. It screens out the ones you don't want to waste time on.
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
7 Nov 18
It's only the more entertaining ones that I can remember long enough to blog about when I get home to my computer!
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (38721)
• United States
7 Nov 18
I know, you can hear somethings sad and funny, but I don't care say a word.
2 people like this
@xFiacre (13013)
• Ireland
7 Nov 18
@indexer I think it’s rude not to listen in, especially when they are demonstrating their ignorance!
2 people like this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
7 Nov 18
Rude not to listen? Now that's an approach that had not occurred to me!
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
And there is plenty of that that goes on.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
I am perfectly at home eavesdropping in public transport and you're right, some people are quite ignorant about their subjects.
1 person likes this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
7 Nov 18
The other day I heard someone trying to explain to their companion what "four hundred thousand" was. The companion had asked "Is that more than a million, then?"
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180678)
• United States
7 Nov 18
@indexer Aye Carumba..as Bart Simpson would say!
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
7 Nov 18
no, im not interested or curious enough to care.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
7 Nov 18
So that is what they call it "earwig" this is the first time to read this word. I do not have a good sense of hearing myself that is why I seldom am able to hear what people are talking behind/beside me. Unless the person speaks very loud that I could hear and comprehend what they are talking about.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
7 Nov 18
I truly try not to unless its something I am really interested in hearing, but sometimes you can't help but listen to other peoples conversations, especially if they are having them loudly.
@mesbakh (2284)
• Indonesia
7 Nov 18
ever, it makes me anxious
@Metsrock69 (3582)
• United States
7 Nov 18
Sometimes you can't help but listen to other peoples conversations. Some people talk loud and you just here too much which can be funny at times
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (1784)
• United Kingdom
7 Nov 18
I do this on a daily basis ….you hear the strangest conversations on buses....
@lovebuglena (44524)
• Staten Island, New York
7 Nov 18
There are times when I feel like I am a part of the conversation, even though I don't want to be. People talk so loud you can't block out what they are talking about.
@resukill22 (25050)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
7 Nov 18
yes, when im on the travel. not to mean it, to listen there conversation, but what should I do were on a public vehicle hehe
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
7 Nov 18
Some interesting reactions here! Sometimes there is no choice but to overhear, and sometimes it's quite hard to bite one's tongue!
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
7 Nov 18
some forget there are other people around so you can't help hearing them. some are entertaining, some thought-provoking.
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Nov 18
I have not been on public transportation for a long time. But yes, when I have been on buses or trains I pretend I don't hear them but I do enjoy tuning in on some bizarre conversations. When I lived in Riga, Latvia in the city there were the noisiest people who answered their mobile phones and then shouted to be heard above the noise of the bus or tram and traffic and that was the funniest of all.