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Eavesdropping is a guilty pleasure of many. It often takes very minimal effort and can provide some light entertainment by making our imagination run wild. What did that person on the bus mean by saying they need some “serious reinforcements”? Are they planning a heist? Or is their birthday party menu getting out of hand?

Whether it’s something you hear completely accidentally or a neighboring conversation you have to lean in to fully decipher, one cannot deny the appeal of overhearing juicy details of other people’s lives. So what that they’re out of context, they still can be perfectly interesting.

The list below is proof that one should listen to what’s happening around them once in a while. Maybe you’ll hear some gems of child wisdom or a hilarious exchange that will put a smile on your face for the rest of the day. Scroll down to enjoy the collection of brilliant overheard conversations.

#1

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If you think that eavesdropping is something strictly human, think again. Members of the animal kingdom also indulge in an occasional act of social listening. Of course, the reasons for it are usually more substantial than simply wanting to know what the neighbors are fighting about. A lot of it is related to survival.

For example, spying animals can use the knowledge they gain through snooping around to get more resources. Bees are a great example of that even though they don’t necessarily hear the information. 

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    #2

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    Bees use pheromones to attract members of the same species to join their hives. Members of other species, though, can also detect those same pheromones. However, instead of following them, they try to avoid them. 

    You see, bees expect that the resources will be scarce if they enter the territory of other bees. So, they stick to the neutral area where there’s more of a chance to find something delicious. 

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    Some animals use eavesdropping to steal their rival’s girl. Male fiddler crabs, the ones with the funny, oversized claw, use a type of waving dance to attract females of the species. If one of them notices that another is starting their jig, it will start to boogie as well, even if they don’t see a female anywhere around them. 

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    Overhearing other animals communicate can also be used to detect a predator. That is because many species use a certain type of communication method to alarm the others about the possible danger. 

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    Ronstantin
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once went to the bathroom in a music store. While I was in the cabin, two men came in and began commenting throughout their no. 1. Like "Aaaah, what a relieve" – "Yeah, nice" – "Great, huh?" – "As long as it flows …" – "Nice bathroom". Didn't stop until they finished. (I assumed they were slightly uncomfortable and tried to hide it before each other. It was kind of funny hearing grown up men act like little boys.)

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    Once an animal makes a call that indicates a threat, it echoes through all the surroundings. That means it can be heard by all the species in the area. If there are other animals that are able to recognize the specific cry, they can scurry away as well. 

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    This type of overhearing has been documented in a wide range of species, from mammals, to birds, to lizards.

    Believe it or not, our dogs can also eavesdrop on us. Sure, they cannot understand every word we are saying and then gossip about it all with other neighborhood dogs, but they do observe our behavior and judge us for it.

    #16

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    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well hopefully you’re not positive. Cuz then you really will be dead

    Passerby
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are you sure that's positive? I am not so sure myself these days.

    David A Paterson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It irritates me that people who survive horrific accidents are described as "lucky". No it's not lucky to have fifteen broken bones and several pierced internal organs.

    RedMarbles
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't it just that there's an unspoken "to be alive" following the "lucky"? Although I agree the luck ends there, and some of those who survived a terrible accident may not even agree they're lucky to be alive.

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    Simon Bolivar
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heck, I consider the day is a win if I'm not getting shot at or having to clean poop tanks!

    Skip Reynolds
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Ya gotta be alive to complain" spaketh a favorite cousin of ours.

    MotherofGuineaPigs
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughter is a drama queen - when she tells me depressing stories I always answer "but no one died, right?"

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    #17

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    𝓚𝓮𝓲𝓽𝓱
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never been but how expensive is it? Edit: wow… that’s… bloody expensive 😰

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    In one study, the researchers observed if dogs noticed how generous people were with food. Some of the human participants were assigned to be selfish, while others were freely sharing what they had. The dogs didn’t bother with the greedy ones much and preferred to approach the people that were willing to give out treats, showing that they understood the behavior and interpreted it accordingly.

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    Sea Squirrel
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always sing: 'Oh, Annie, I'm Nacho Daddy'. And then I get hungry. 'Nacho Daddy' will be a nice name for a food truck, don't you think?

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    So, next time you stand in line at a grocery store waiting for your turn and overhear someone talking about their break-up, listen in. And don’t feel so guilty about it—if birds and crabs do it, it cannot be that bad.

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    #26

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    Sarah K
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the middle of a panini! How very dare he. Her outrage is justified.

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    #27

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    Catherine
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I need to learn to be this straight forward. Instead, my and all my people over here doing the Midwestern goodbye

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    #32

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    Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
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    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now the other girl can think about if she in return wants to be friends with a person with an ugly personality

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    #33

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    David A Paterson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eating random plants is fun. It used to be a hobby of the botany department of the University of Queensland.

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    Passerby
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there such person really? I will never be emotionally ready to watch UP.

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    #38

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    #39

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    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was doing a quiz with my parents while we shared a bottle of wine, and confidently named one of the three types of rock "sedentary". My mum went into hysterics and eventually declared that's what she's calling them from now on.

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    #42

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    john s
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are days you'll remember. Never before and never since, I promise, will the whole world be warm as this. And as you feel it, you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky. It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you.

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    #48

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    Cat Palmer
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have dyspraxia. The way I tie a shoe is by buying slip-ons. Is that clear enough, do you think?

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    StretcherBearer
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe the American Delegation that accidentally ate psychedelic mushrooms. Janet Yellen I think? I'm not looking it up it's too early fact checking.

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    #51

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    Catherine
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I took a Gen Alpha to the library for the first time. They were shocked you didn't have to pay and could take books home.

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    cadena kuhn
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When handing the baby to one another we would say hot potato. Now her sister calls her potato

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    MargyB
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Australia, at this particular time that has a very different meaning. AFL grand final

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    Catherine
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    #2 is why it's so important we keep human writers gainfully employed. AI could never.

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    #63

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    Robert Trebor
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looked at a menu on line near here where I am now (traveling). The appetizers were more than I wound up paying for dinner elsewhere.

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    #64

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    Agfox
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I work closely with medical professionals, I'm a patient"

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    #67

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    David A Paterson
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a novel for children first published in 1977. Later made into a movie.

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    Mav Mav
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The nerve they have feeding themselves and paying their bills - so much unnecessary extravagance!

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    #71

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    T5n
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why not both? I’d love to go for a good ice cream and beer. Maybe chocolate ice cream and a stout or sorbet and a hazy ipa

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    I'm a Jimmy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Guardians are Cleveland’s baseball team (use to be Indians). In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, as the first black player in the major league. His number, 42, has been retired from the sport. Occasionally (anniversary or the like), players will wear a 42 patch in honor/respect for the man and his impact on the game and society.

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    Shine Chisholm (they/ them)
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The car has an interlock device that prevents it from starting until you blow into it and get a negative alcohol reading

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    Raquell Sabitch
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can confirm from the other side of the fence. I'm a man who takes estrogen (and t-blockers) and I feel marvelous!

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