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Los Angeles is known for a few notables: Hollywood, world-renowned theme parks, and lovely year-round weather. But apparently, the City of Angels has also become famous for the most interesting eavesdropped conversations.

The latter is thanks to the Overheard LA Instagram page. With 1.6 million followers and counting, the account features random chitchats people snooped on and shared online for the world to see.

As you scroll through, you’ll read discussions about suppressing calorie intake, sneaking out on a horrible first date, and regrettable tattoo decisions – all of which best encapsulate what “Lalaland” is all about.

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    People generally perceive eavesdropping as an intrusion of one’s privacy. It’s something you’ll likely never teach a young child to do at a tender age. However, experts see some benefits to it. 

    According to psychology professor and TedX speaker Dr. Allison Jane Martingano, eavesdroppers are excellent listeners who can identify emotions just by looking at a person’s eyes.

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    Dr. Martingano spoke about the Theory of Mind (TOM), which refers to our ability to understand the desires, beliefs, and emotions of others. An experiment she conducted revealed that eavesdroppers may develop better TOM skills because of their innate ability to identify emotions. 

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    Gabriele Alfredo Pini
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my town there was a big scandal because a school educator was found on OF. The big question was: who discovered her?

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    Eavesdropping appears to be a natural human trait. In 2007, researchers from the University of Washington discovered that 18-month-old babies engage in “emotional eavesdropping.” 

    As their brains develop, toddlers learn to listen to and observe emotional reactions from adults. The emotional information they’ve collected shapes their behavior and personality.

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    Of course, eavesdropping can be used for ill intentions, such as hacking or illegal wiretapping. But does it carry negative consequences? Language science professor John Locke says no. 

    As he explained in an interview with Quartz, people learn social cues by observing public behavior, even if they accidentally listen to other people’s conversations.

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    We’d also like to hear from you, readers. Have you ever found yourself in Los Angeles overhearing a juicy conversation between people (or with themselves)? Share them in the comments!

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    Joshua David
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a gay man, I've had plenty of these conversations with women. They aren't exempt from saying ignorant and offensive things.

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    Mike F
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    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't want that job, it just seems like too much work to milk an oat. 😂😂

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    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read the blocked out word as "buddy" I think there's something wrong with me

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    Trillian
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    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How many interactions do you think the poor cashier had at this point?

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember working in a garage ~1974, and the older mechanics (WWII vets) HATED us. I heard "youth is wasted on the young" at least once per week per mechanic. Another was "buy your books and send you to school, what did you do, chew the covers?" It was not a pleasant experience, we couldn't walk away from the situation. When I got my chance to get into a factory, I JUMPED.

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    PrettyJoyBird
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Geez. Mine was no cold cut meats, no sushi, only tylenol, limit caffeine, oh here is gestational diabetes and a thyroid disorder for life as a bonus! I adore my children so please dont come at me. The list is actually WAYyyyylonger and yet i would happily go thru it all over. Love them unconditionally, would die for them.

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't there a like, Colorado 31 where they're somewhere in the middle?

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    Luisa
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When i don't know how to say i point to the menu. Ive done it in Paris, because i didn t want to ofend nobody Mama.

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    Dragon mama
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I learned this as a tick to help remember names when I meet people. (repeat name out load and make an association) Has never worked for me except to make me think things like "I know that girl I think. She likes cheese a lot, right?"

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    Gen X Feral
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    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh no honey, abandon ship. Alcohol has too many calories to waste em on that ahole.

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    HangryHangryHippo
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depending on from where this person was traveling from, didn't have roaming. More often than not, in those cases you depend on wifi so texting in this context could mean from any messaging platform like Whatsapp.

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    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to google seitan. I didn't know they made a thing that was literally just gluten, but then I wouldn't since I can't eat it.

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    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how many things I kept secret just because I forgot or I didn't socialise...

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    Tor
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg they overheard a conversation with either an emo kid or Batman.

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish more people knew the difference between a wind mill and a wind turbine

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    Luisa
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oooh thats so kind from the barista. (Because he probably have to pay with his own money.

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    Kristal
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean, to be fair; how do you think they learned to read tarot cards? There's lots of books on the topic.

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    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We got a Christmas card from one of Mr Auntriarch's aunties saying "congratulations on the birth of your son". Obviously one of the cousins had mentioned Henry without the information that he was a greyhound

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    Lexi
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the going to sleep, it's the getting up part I hate

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    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "practically the same thing" No, Karen, it's not - or only in the way that "I love animals" leads to an extended discussion about burger or chicken recipes.

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    Kitty 🥀
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey, we introverts have to conserve our social batteries somehow. Pregaming with a friend in total silence is an excellent way to prepare.

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oops! Never, ever, bad mouth someone's ex because they could always get back together again and then it will be awkward for ever more. In the case it was only a presumption he was an ex, but the rule would have saved them. If they've split up just stick to asking them how they feel.

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    Annabelle
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cause I'm sure everything else about you is stellar. Also, he knows.

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean apart from the deadline virus thing lockdown has been quite relaxing. Maybe we could do it again, but... you know... without the deadly virus thing?

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