If it's between people I haven't known long and am not that close to, but they know each other fairly well and one is talking about her husband or something. Is it rude to be listening if I'm within earshot?
2007-09-07 11:07:54 · 7 answers · asked by AJ 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yeah, I would say don't join in just because if she is talking about her husband so it's probably kind of personal. But if they're within earshot, eavesdrop all you want. They're the ones who are making it a public matter.
Now, if they're talking about movies or something, feel free - just don't hijack the conversation.
2007-09-07 11:13:27 · answer #1 · answered by ahelaumakani 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it's difficult not to listen to what people are saying within ear shot, especially if your bored or aren't occupied with other things. You can join the conversation, but it just depends on how you do it. The most common way of joining in a conversation is to say something along the lines of I'm sorry but I over heard what you were saying, I wasn't trying to listen but I would like to comment on what you're saying because i think I could help.... or what ever you'd like to say after you apologize for listening to their conversation. They will either give you a look or tell you they are not interested in your opinion and probably stop talking so loud!
2007-09-07 11:17:11 · answer #2 · answered by Miss 6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you can't avoid hearing a conversation even if you try to tune it out. If it sounds like a personal conversation (in which case they should be somewhere else), try to ignore it. If you can't, don't blame yourself. You might even want to politely say, "Sorry guys, but I'm trying to meet a deadline here" or something like that. To answer your first question, you shouldn't join in especially if it's personal. But if it's work-related and you have info that is relevant and help, just politely join in.
2007-09-07 13:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by Opal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nah....listen in.....if they are talking loud enough so that you can hear them, I consider it a open invitation into the conversation.
UNLESS.............they turn from you and speak in lowered voices.
OR.....if you start to speak and they give you that lowered gaze look like you have three heads and once just fell off....lol.
All you can do is try, and if they give you that look, just say "oops...... dont mind me....i was dreaming that i was on the Jerry Springer show"....lol :o)
2007-09-07 12:44:36 · answer #4 · answered by pink 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably could interrupt but do it with complete kindness and a genuine concern for the persons welfare. Apologize for having overheard the conversation and simply offer whatever advice you may have.
2007-09-07 11:13:59 · answer #5 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might not be able to avoid hearing the conversation; but don't say anything unless you're asked...
2007-09-08 02:20:41 · answer #6 · answered by samdugan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably, but I'm a redneck, so I don't care. If I waited for people to start conversations with me, I would never speak. They are too in awe of my beauty to speak to me unbidden.
:-)
2007-09-07 11:14:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋