Lets say you're in a computer lab or a waiting room or something and someone starts talking on the phone... and you hear what they're saying (cause they're right next to you or opposite you) ...and then they ask the person they're talking to a question. And the person on the other side doesn't know the answer, but you do.
Do you tell the person the answer when they get off the phone or do you not tell them cause you don't want to make it sound like you're eavesdropping on their conversation?
I'm just curious cause that happened to me and I told the person the answer, then after a while I thought, "I hope she doesn't think I'm a crazy person eavesdropping on her conversation!"
:)
2007-10-14 18:27:56 · 5 answers · asked by Lost Sock 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
if she wanted privacy, she wouldn't still be in the computer lab. How can you not eavesdrop on her conservation if she is right there. At anyrate, it is an opportunity to meet people that you have wouldn't otherwise come in contact with. Even a bad impression is usually better then no impression.
2007-10-14 18:37:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the question.
'Do you think I should get an abortion' or 'what do I say if my boyfriend wants three other men to join us' are questions you better stay out of.
In such a case you pretend that the caller has privacy by acting as if you didn't hear a thing.
Stuff like 'where's the library' or 'where do I buy a Nokia phone charger' are open for answering. You heard the question because they shouted it out loud - you might as well answer it.
There is little privacy lost here.
'Sorry, I overheard you asking and the answer is ... '
2007-10-15 05:01:27 · answer #2 · answered by mgerben 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In a situation like this, she wasn't trying to preserve her privacy or else she would have gone somewhere private. Just say something like "Excuse me but I couldn't help overhearing your question about (whatever) and I happen to know that it is (whatever)" Just so long as you are polite about the phrasing, and point out that you weren't intentionally being nosy, it's perfectly ok to comment.
2007-10-15 01:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by missbeans 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would tell the person in a polite way the answer
2007-10-15 02:06:55 · answer #4 · answered by Neil G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do nothing, say nothing. "Least said, soonest mended."
2007-10-15 03:38:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋