tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post7795009739928270444..comments2024-03-28T06:20:48.661-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Do You Snoop?Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35954960051725724202015-11-16T17:21:49.180-05:002015-11-16T17:21:49.180-05:00I usually carry a paperback with me when I'm g...I usually carry a paperback with me when I'm going somewhere where I expect to wait, which is a lot of places these days. I'm happy when I see others reading while waiting too. Occasionally I'll ask if they're enjoying what they're reading, or something like that; only rarely do they immediately start sliding further away. I think readers expect other readers to be ok. <br /><br />I've been spending some time waiting for doctors lately and heard a few fellow waiters describing their issues in detail to their companions. Makes me glad I'm at the orthopedist and not the proctologist's office.<br /><br />When I read "Not just Quakers, Seminoles!" I figured it was a fan from one of those colleges that expects to be in the NCAA basketball tournament every year, and was dismayed to hear that both Penn and Florida State had been selected instead...<br /><br />Jim Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16655412042671559972015-11-16T16:57:36.911-05:002015-11-16T16:57:36.911-05:00Susan, those are lovely!!! I'd frame one!Susan, those are lovely!!! I'd frame one!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75208418771916934842015-11-16T15:23:34.909-05:002015-11-16T15:23:34.909-05:00I loved the response, "No you didn't.&quo...I loved the response, "No you didn't." Those negative people cheat themselves out of some great experiences . . . <br />I can't imagine watching explicit stuff in public. I was embarrassed listening to the audio book of Stella Gets Her Groove Back, in my car, with the windows closed. <br />My mom used to love to people-watch and was therefore seldom bored or impatient. "I'll just wait here and people-watch."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33108474119611831762015-11-16T15:20:41.522-05:002015-11-16T15:20:41.522-05:00Okay, loving these. And I happen to be an eyesdrop...Okay, loving these. And I happen to be an eyesdropper with a camera. Yes, I occasionlly snap a surrepticious shot of interesting characters.<br /><br />This one wasn't on purpose, however.... Last month I was in Venice, about to take the train back to Florence. It was about 7:00 pm; we had about half an hour until our train, so I sat in front of the Santa Lucia railway station enjoying the lights on the Grand Canal and experimenting with various exposures in the evening light. And then I realised I'd captured these touching pics...<br /><br />http://dalyght.ca/fileshare/santalucia1.jpg<br />http://dalyght.ca/fileshare/santalucia2.jpg<br />Susan Dhttp://www.susandaly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23741896630148448022015-11-16T13:19:27.660-05:002015-11-16T13:19:27.660-05:00I love the term "eyesdropping," Debs, an...I love the term "eyesdropping," Debs, and I love all of the examples of that and eavesdropping that everyone's noted here. I think Rhys' overheard comment about the gun belt is priceless, and I had a hilarious visual playing in my mind of you frantically swimming to keep pace, Rhys. Probably because I'm heavily influenced by all the mysteries I read, I quickly attached to Susan's comment, "And they didn't even serve salad," a scene where a dinner party had been interrupted by a murder, and a disgruntled guest was focused on the lack of salad instead of a dead body. And, of course, "And not just Quakers, Seminoles" is one that I'll look for in a future book, Hank. The x-rated movie is disturbing. Too many eyes that shouldn't see that and too many people that just don't want to. Lucy, I bet you were really shocked to find the porn pictures in your case. Yikes! <br /><br />As I'm a bit hard of hearing, I don't really eavesdrop much, but I do eyesdrop on books wherever I go. I love to see what others are reading in airports and on the planes, and I've had some great conversations result from sharing reading. One of my favorite things to do when my husband was stationed at the Pentagon was to see what people were reading on the Metro, as it is a place rife with readers. My son always had a book on the Metro and became intensely involved with it. Of course, he had me to watch for our stops, as I was too busy book watching to read myself. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26809584682323972312015-11-16T12:03:39.306-05:002015-11-16T12:03:39.306-05:00Christopher - perfect New Yorker cartoon moment! F...Christopher - perfect New Yorker cartoon moment! For all of us who like evesdropping, there are also several delicious "Overheard" blogs and Facebook pages, including <a href="http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/" rel="nofollow">Overheard in New York</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/overheardinwaitrose" rel="nofollow">Overheard in Waitrose</a> (posh London grocery) and for Hank, <a href="http://overheardinthenewsroom.com/" rel="nofollow">Overheard in the Newsroom</a>. Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19305780411023960782015-11-16T12:00:52.608-05:002015-11-16T12:00:52.608-05:00I think we should have a contest to write a story ...I think we should have a contest to write a story around "not just Quakers, Seminoles!" The possibilities make me giddy...<br /><br />And Kristopher, yes, what great--and chilling--ideas. I see a noir story coming from those.<br /><br />Karen's right, I think. Americans seem to shout into their cell phones. Why is that?<br /><br />Deb Romano, I think ONE package of condoms and TWO bottles of wine might have been a bit more persuasive... :-)<br /><br />Mary Sutton, I, too, was thrilled with the idea of traveling with a tablet filled with unlimited reading material. But now I always carry a tablet and a paperback. It's not just the battery life. So much of the time it's just so much easier to read a paperback. Your eyes get tired, you can close it for a minute. You can think, or look out the window, without the screen going blank. Best, of all, you can tuck a pb in your seat pocket without worrying about being out several hundred dollars if you forget it!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37498871529113773952015-11-16T11:59:53.310-05:002015-11-16T11:59:53.310-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20699938376671836262015-11-16T11:37:13.037-05:002015-11-16T11:37:13.037-05:00Leah Garchik has made "eavesdropping" a ...Leah Garchik has made "eavesdropping" a part of her daily column in the San Francisco Chronicle and eventually wrote a book on Valentine's Day "overheards." Some classics:<br /><br />"I was looking for someone for just a really good time, but then I peeked at his iTunes playlist. He'd be serious baggage." From Leah's book, Real Life Romance.<br /><br />So as many have already commented, one or two of these "eyesdropping" could be the starting point of a Reds next novel.<br /><br />And, yes, I do "eyesdrop" and "earsdrop."<br /><br />~TriciaTFJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145220939173150233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23537042849839677122015-11-16T10:17:00.708-05:002015-11-16T10:17:00.708-05:00Deb Romano, it strikes me that guy might have been...Deb Romano, it strikes me that guy might have been the slightest bit over-confident. Or something. I mean, only one bottle of wine? Talk about great expectations!<br /><br />Doesn't it seem, at least in this country, that people tend to talk louder on cellphone than in regular conversation? In Europe the level of public conversation, including on a phone, seems so low to me that I wonder how they hear it at all.<br /><br />I guess that's good for us nosy people. <br /><br />While in the ER waiting room when I broke my foot a few years ago, I heard all kinds of drama. Until my daughter the former ER nurse pointed out the HIPPAA regs, I was all set to hang out there, as research and inspiration.Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-71833123442592913082015-11-16T09:58:25.433-05:002015-11-16T09:58:25.433-05:00Seems I'm in good company, as I just can't...Seems I'm in good company, as I just can't help eavesdropping. My favorite: I was pumping gas at a self-serve station. A man at an adjacent pump was on his cell phone, asking someone if he could come over. He added "I have a couple of packages of condoms and a bottle of wine." I don't know what answer he received. (Should we put him in touch with the person Lucy overheard on the train?)<br /><br />I love the gun belt comment!Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40834548928164444492015-11-16T09:31:09.129-05:002015-11-16T09:31:09.129-05:00It used to be a game of watching people and then f...It used to be a game of watching people and then filling in what you think their life story was.<br />Now the dialogue has been added to the mix.<br /><br />As to books on planes--I originally thought an e-reader was a great idea for travel because I could carry multiple books without multiple weight. But then I've had my reader battery run out a few too many times. Now I carry both paperbacks and the e-reader.<br /><br />Yes, please, use these snippets in your work!Libby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81038420270167183012015-11-16T09:27:49.049-05:002015-11-16T09:27:49.049-05:00I will shamelessly eavesdrop and eyesdrop whenever...I will shamelessly eavesdrop and eyesdrop whenever I am out. To the point where the hubby merely rolls his eyes, and my kids just take a step away. Everything is grist for the writer's mill, right?<br /><br />"Of course the gun belt weighs you down." Love it.<br /><br />And I wonder if people don't realize they are broadcasting their cell conversations to the world or if they just don't care. Probably the latter.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35370724380817067382015-11-16T08:51:05.640-05:002015-11-16T08:51:05.640-05:00I think you pretty much have to look if someone is...I think you pretty much have to look if someone is reading a book in public. How can you not want to know what others are reading? <br /><br />As for the X-rated film on the plane. First, EWWW! Second, I am glad to hear that it was a woman, because it at least reinforces the idea that all types of people have bad manners. Where were these folks raised? <br /><br />But yes, plot ideas do abound. Suppose you were walking up the aisle and saw on a fellow passengers tablet, a picture of your spouse, or your house, or someone who went missing years earlier? Kristopherhttp://www.bolobooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59118215712640360232015-11-16T08:45:26.252-05:002015-11-16T08:45:26.252-05:00I'm with Hank, love, love, the machu picchu th...I'm with Hank, love, love, the machu picchu thing!<br /><br />Hallie, I bet I was that roommate!<br /><br />Edith, all I can think is the owner of the x-rated pix wanted to watch me go through them? so creepy. At this age, I would have called the flight attendant. But would he/she believe me??Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87180958322568391862015-11-16T08:36:52.618-05:002015-11-16T08:36:52.618-05:00I forgot to mention the time I found myself awake ...I forgot to mention the time I found myself awake at 4 in the morning (time change) in Las Vegas, walking the streets so I wouldn't wake my roommate, and overheard a spectacular expletive-laced street fight between a man and a woman. Wrote it all down and used it in the book I was writing.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40625853057477423262015-11-16T08:28:14.219-05:002015-11-16T08:28:14.219-05:00This post was a great way to start a morning. Lik...This post was a great way to start a morning. Like Edith, my favorite is, "Not just Quakers, Seminoles!" I guffawed at that one.<br /><br />I am a great people watcher (and listener.) Depending upon the setting, I am also fairly unrestrained about just joining in a conversation -- especially in that situation where the conversation is loud enough that I can't help but overhear it. <br /><br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08292993485984273172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24471538838671953602015-11-16T08:27:42.399-05:002015-11-16T08:27:42.399-05:00I never notice what's happening on other peopl...I never notice what's happening on other people's devices! Wow, I am missing out. <br /><br />I do eavesdrop, but then, half the time the people start talking to me. I'm like a life story receptacle. Inherited it from my mom and grandma. People told them EVERYTHING.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6966830831574684142015-11-16T08:04:34.235-05:002015-11-16T08:04:34.235-05:00love to people watch! I was on the elliptical at t...love to people watch! I was on the elliptical at the local rec center, getting my fill of "Love it or List It" when two female college students hit the treadmills and told the entire place every single intimate detail of a recent frat party. I know, I'm a mother, therefore I'm invisible.<br /><br />Margaret S. Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07979191318652199350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36639303475425856282015-11-16T07:50:55.696-05:002015-11-16T07:50:55.696-05:00Yes to all of the above--I like to watch people, l...Yes to all of the above--I like to watch people, listen in to conversations when they're going on all around you--cell phones, people conversing, I glance at tablets, phones, books, magazines that people are reading. I also like to observe body language--how a person walks, holds themselves, interacts with the person or people they are with. Sometimes it's not what people are saying or even if they're talking that's interesting. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19874290843929329132015-11-16T07:43:39.351-05:002015-11-16T07:43:39.351-05:00Christopher, that is wonderful.. Send to the New ...Christopher, that is wonderful.. Send to the New Yorker instantly.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46323150292738995312015-11-16T07:41:29.243-05:002015-11-16T07:41:29.243-05:00And they didn't even serve salad! I am still l...And they didn't even serve salad! I am still laughing about that.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46702672383279793512015-11-16T06:25:12.946-05:002015-11-16T06:25:12.946-05:00I've been laughing out loud, too. So funny. Of...I've been laughing out loud, too. So funny. Of course my favorite is, "Not just Quakers, Seminoles!" And getting porn left in your train case, Roberta - that's really shocking. Who would have done that?<br /><br />I've been an eyesdropper AND eavesdropper from way back. At restaurants I have many times been accused by my dining partner of paying more attention to the neighboring table than to my own. And as a former linguist, if there's any kind of accent I always want to figure out what the person's native language is.<br /><br />Once when flying with my young sons - elementary age - in the era when one movie were shown on a screen everyone could see (and couldn't avoid seeing) I was horrified to see a movie with gun violence and some pretty adult "romantic" behavior. I wrote a furious letter to the airlines and got an apology. I would never have let my boys watch that kind of thing at home. Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76546231816132672642015-11-16T03:52:55.746-05:002015-11-16T03:52:55.746-05:00But if you don't eavesdrop now and then you...But if you don't eavesdrop now and then you'll never have what I think of as that "New Yorker cartoon" moment, like this:<br /><br />(Haute couple sitting at symphony in row in front of you)<br /><br />She: Have you seen Paul since he got back?<br />He: No.<br />She: He looks great. He did the Machu Picchu thing.<br /><br />I can see exactly which cartoonist would do it, too...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00014242874264804584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20914620950645098032015-11-16T01:09:49.746-05:002015-11-16T01:09:49.746-05:00Although I love the "And they didn't even...Although I love the "And they didn't even serve salad" line, I don't believe it's possible to top the "Of course the gun belt weighs you down" . . . that's just begging to be in a story!<br />I can't imagine watching "Fifty Shades of Grey" anywhere, let alone on an airplane; shame on the lady who has no idea of what's appropriate to watch in a confined place where everyone can see what's on her computer screen.<br /><br />Generally I don't listen in to the conversations other folks are having unless, as has been mentioned, they're talking on the cell phone loud enough for the whole town to hear. Then, what else can you do?<br />But I must admit that I do enjoy looking at book covers to see what everyone's reading . . . .Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.com