How to Eavesdrop
If we only heard what we were meant to hear, life would be so boring. That is why people eavesdrop. Eavesdropping is also a great way to get the inside scoop and pick up random gossip or hot news that's supposed to be secret. A few stealthy steps can help you eavesdrop with no one—but yourself—ever being the wiser.
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Instructions
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Move close to the conversation. When you sense a juicy tidbit is being discussed, stealthily get as close to the conversation as you can. Don't abruptly get up and walk over, but perhaps drop something that needs to be picked up in the general vicinity. This is a tricky move, as any movement in the direction of a tidbit might get the people discussing it on the alert.
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Appear to be very busy. Stay engrossed with whatever is in front of you: a book, some paperwork, the menu at a restaurant. If you have nothing in front of you to focus on, take great pains to analyze your fingernails, ring or back of your hand.
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Wear headphones. Headphones or a telephone headset are great props to appear not to be listening to what’s going on around you. If your headphones are connected to a musical device, you can even sway back and forth as if you are absorbing the music's rhythm even though nothing is filtering through the headphones.
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Do not answer if someone calls your name. Especially don’t answer or perk up if the people on whom you are eavesdropping name drop you to test if you’re listening. Remember, you have no idea what’s going on around you.
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Look anywhere but in the direction of the people conversing. Definitely don’t make eye contact with anyone. Stay focused on anything but the people on whom you are eavesdropping. Appear wholly disinterested. After all, you are way too busy jamming to your music, analyzing your thumbnail and working on the project in front of you.
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Tips & Warnings
If a conversation is going on in an adjacent room, that trick you see in the movies really works. Take an empty drinking glass and press the mouth to the wall and the other end against your ear.
Air vents are also good ways to overhear conversations in other rooms. Prop yourself below one and listen for what you can hear.
Do not get elaborate with bugging devices and such unless you are a private eye.
In most states it is illegal to record people without at least one party knowing they are being recorded. Take caution if you are looking to get the conversation on tape. It won't be admissible in court and you could also get busted for it.
Once you know a secret you were not supposed to know, your life can be changed forever. Take caution when deciding what you really want to hear.
- Photo Credit Photo by Ryn Gargulinski
