Eavesdropping

I remember other AP English students talking about how they will listen in on the conversations of people who speak in a different language (specifically Indian). At first, I found this a bit odd, especially when some made it sound like stalking, but then I began to realize that I do the same thing. The reason why I hadn't thought of it before though, is because I do it every day without thinking, in my own home. My Mom frequently calls my Grandparents or Aunt so she can catch up with what goes on in their lives, but speaks to them in Spanish, since that is their first language. I will sometimes try to listen in, because I will, on occasion, be able to understand what she says.

I do not know if people listen to these conversations for the same reason I do, however. I highly doubt any of us know much about the languages of India, so we are not listening so we can understand them. In my opinion, I think we listen because of our imagination. Due to the fact that we virtually have no idea what they are saying, we leave it up to our imagination. Could that man be speaking to his beloved girlfriend, who lives hundreds or miles away? Maybe the woman is talking to her brother, who needs a ride because his car broke down. Whatever the real conversation might be about, we allow our imagination to run wild. It's a silly thing to do after you think about it, but it's also extremely entertaining.

I am simply speaking about my own thoughts, so maybe not all of us think like this or eavesdrop on foreign conversations. For those of you who do eavesdrop though, why do you think you do it?