This might sound silly to you all...but it can be confusing to me. Is it politeness to join the conversation, or is it politeness to let them have their own conversation and not participate.
What if their conversation involves something strong like "my house was flooded". Am I expected to say something, or just let them be.
What would you do?
2007-08-01 08:59:21 · 5 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
No, that is inpolite. Why would you join someone's conversation? The only time it is appropriate, is when you are introduced into the conversation.
2007-08-01 09:03:07 · answer #1 · answered by eniles21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are having a conversation loud enough in a public area, then it isn't a private conversation. In this case though, since she was talking about something pretty personally devastating it could go either way...if you know the person (say it were a coworker or other acquaintance) I would just say, "I'm sorry I couldn't help but overhear...I'm so sorry about your house." If it were a complete stranger, say on the bus or at a doctors office, I wouldn't say anything to them.
2007-08-01 15:37:45 · answer #2 · answered by missbeans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends a lot on the circumstances. It's usually bad manners to stick your nose in other people's conversations, unless they ask your opinion.
Now.. if they're talking loud, it means they don't mind other people listening to what they're saying and they probably wouldn't mind if someone outside the group gave their opinion.
If they are very good and close friends of yours it's not bad, unless you notice they're talking very low and don't seem to want anybody to know what they're talking about.
If they are just co-workers, acquaintances, etc, I wouldn't participate in their conversations. It wouldn't be my business even if they're talking about the atomic bomb that fell last night on their house.
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2007-08-01 09:31:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are talking loud enough for everyone to hear them than the conversation is fair game. If they were huddled in a corner whispering than that's different you should just let them be.
2007-08-01 12:29:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your relationship with the 2. If you are on good terms, what's wrong with joining in?
2007-08-01 23:59:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋