Good Manners Or Not?

[Lucky]

So today I am at a coffee shop chatting with a friend. We got to talking about diet and exercise when suddenly the guy from the table over who had been sitting at his computer interrupted me to tell us that, yes, he had been eavesdropping, and here, take some business cards of my friend who is a fitness trainer.

What you have said to this guy? Was it okay to interrupt and hand out business cards to people you were eavesdropping on?

[RA1]

It depends upon how good looking he was and whatever else he had to say.

Otherwise, a "cold" stare and no comment might suffice. I am not sure how to conjure up a cold stare with the current heat wave overtaking much of the country right now, but, you could try.

Best regards,

RA1

[Guest Conway]

I would say, Thanks. Then, if I was interested in training with his friend, I would call the guy.

[Guest CharliePS]

So today I am at a coffee shop chatting with a friend. We got to talking about diet and exercise when suddenly the guy from the table over who had been sitting at his computer interrupted me to tell us that, yes, he had been eavesdropping, and here, take some business cards of my friend who is a fitness trainer.

What you have said to this guy? Was it okay to interrupt and hand out business cards to people you were eavesdropping on?

Some people would say that eavesdropping is always rude, but others would say that if you are carrying on a conversation in a public place, loud enough that someone alone at the next table can hear you, you shouldn't be surprised if he tries to join the conversation. I would thank him for the card--after all, he's probably trying to be helpful--put it away, and continue talking to my friend about something else, if I didn't want to engage the stranger. I wouldn't give him the cold shoulder unless he tries to butt in again on the new topic. Of course, if he is attractive and the business card has a hot picture of the trainer, I'd probably invite him to join us at the table.

[Lucky]

Well, he wasn't cute, kind of dorky looking. But in a coffee shop it is pretty hard when you are alone not to listen in on what is being said around you, so I didn't fault him for that. We let him have his say, took his cards, and then ignored him to continue our conversation. When we left, we didn't say good bye. So, he got to have his say, and we kindly let him know that he had not endeared himself to us.

I think if he had timed it better it might have been more appreciated. But he just interrupted, and, if he had been listening in, he should have known to wait for a pause in the conversation.

As an aside, I do have a slight prejudice against people who tie up a table at a coffee shop for hours while they work on their computer, long after their coffee is finished. At least when the place is crowded, as this one was. But, it is a slight prejudice.

[lookin]

I believe they call it 'targeted selling'. Even when I'm alone, I can rarely finish blowing the foam off my café con leche without snaring at least one card for a rest home or a burial plot.

In your case, I expect the interloper realized at a glance that you were a man with vision as well as the determination and wherewithal to realize your dreams. He would have been remiss in failing to seek your patronage.

Leaving, as you did, in reserved silence seems to me like a very appropriate response to his intrusion, although you could also have asked the correct spelling of his name should you decide to take out a restraining order.

[Lucky]

Hmmm...targeted, huh? I look that out of shape? Well, recently I guess I do.

In re-reading my original post, I made it sound as if he just presented the card. he also gave a sales pitch for the guy which made the interruption a bit more intrusive. I don't think the guy saw himself as doing anything wrong, and I don't think he left with hurt feelings. But I did think it odd that he would admit to eavesdropping and then expect us to be receptive to a sales pitch.

[TotallyOz]

I often hear conversations that I would love to join in and chat. My ADD often gets the better of me but I have learned to control it and mind my own business. I would not have interrupted anyone that I did not know.

However, I am fairly easy when someone else wants to join in on my conversation. It does not bother me in the least bit. I would have thank him for the card and threw it away as I was leaving. But, I would have been nice about it. I tend to be nice even if I am pissed off and then regret not speaking my mind later in the day.