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Eavesdropping is generally considered rude behavior that breaches basic etiquette. And if the shoe were on the other foot, you wouldn’t feel good knowing that someone else was listening to your private conversations. 

However, accidental snooping can happen sometimes, especially when people talk within earshot. And if you’re in Los Angeles, you can apparently pick up on some of the funniest, most colorful exchanges between people. 

Here are some examples captured by the “Overheard LA” Instagram account. As you read through, you may also get an idea of what gives the city its character. 

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    The posts on this list give us a vague idea of how most Angelenos are wired. But to delve deeper into the city’s character itself, novelist and screenwriter Rosecrans Baldwin shared his insights in a 2021 interview with GQ. For one, Baldwin expressed confusion, considering the vastness of Los Angeles. 

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    “Just L.A. County is 11 million people. Greater L.A., the five counties, is close to 20 million people,” he said. “When I drove around L.A., [it could seem] like I was in the middle of everything, and also nowhere at all.”

    #5

    Funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about ordering expensive alcoholic blackberry tea at a bar.

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    persephone134
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how old the patron was. If they looked 20ish, okay. If they looked 40ish, would they still ask for an ID?

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    In 2021, Baldwin published Everything Now: Lessons From the City-State of Los Angeles. It became a Los Angeles Times bestseller and was named one of the best California books of 2021 by The New York Times. 

    In the book, Baldwin shared an observation that may provide insight into these overheard exchanges between people: “Why do conversations in Los Angeles tend to feel more wide-open?”

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    The conversations on this list also offer an insider’s perspective on the vibe of Los Angeles, a city largely associated with Hollywood. But according to Baldwin, most of the population has no connection to the film and television industries. 

    “The great majority of Angelenos have no more connection to Hollywood than somebody in Spokane,” he stated.

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    Apart from the hilarious conversations you may overhear, people move to Los Angeles for its overall vibe. And it seems to appeal more to foreigners who may have formed their impressions from media portrayals of the city. 

    Pierre, a thirtysomething resident from Belgium, spoke to Business Insider about how he enjoys his new home city. 

    “Life in LA is even more idyllic than I could have ever imagined from half a world away,” he said.

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    Locals share the same love and appreciation for the City of Angels. For Chynna, a 30-year-old LA native from Echo Park, the diversity in its cuisine is one of the most attractive traits of the city. 

    “LA is a bit spread out, but there’s a little magic in being able to find a hidden gem just by walking around your neighborhood,” she said.

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    #20

    TSA agent humorously instructs to push the bag onto the x-ray belt like merging onto the 405 in LA streets.

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    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I impulsively bought a comforter while on a trip and had to bring it through airport security. It wouldn't fit through the scanner. I was very willing to open the bag and unfold it but they smiled and called for a specialist. Marge (her real name) came from the back, applied a posterior pressure technique to the entire wrapped comforter, easily squeezing out enough air to get through the scanner. She was celebrated for the skill and laughed something like, "You gotta go with your strengths!"

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    #24

    Funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about someone interviewed and described as having no personality fitting in.

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    #25

    Text of a funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA between two guys with a humorous 10-year catchup remark.

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    Moonie Pinkslip
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did this once to a person who knocked on my door randomly after years, "nice to see you, I'm good, but it's been years and I gotta go out soon."

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    #33

    Text post with a funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about quality of life improving when leaving the city.

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    Adam Zad
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, that's what happened when I left Louisiana, too, but I didn't go back.

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    #34

    Text of a funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about buying champagne as a lifestyle choice.

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    #38

    Funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about visiting a small town with no Whole Foods for Thanksgiving.

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    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm in a pretty rural part of Idaho and folks from more civilized areas simply do not understand "there's no cell signal anywhere" until they're standing there looking at zero bars. Even then, it takes a while to truly sink in.

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    #40

    Text post with a funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about drawing simple pictures as gifts.

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    Tyranamar
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’d rather get those. Then I could throw them away without filling up a landfill. I have one very gift giving side of my family. So much s**t to throw away. I’ve asked to stop being included in the gift exchanges. I’ve got to buy hundreds of dollars of stuff that’s going to go in a landfill. Then they’ve got to spend hundreds of dollars on stuff and I rarely use what they get. The most practical shopper is my uncle. Who waits until Dec 24th. Then goes to Costco and gets useful ugly gifts.

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    #41

    Humorous overheard conversation in the streets of LA about a pigeon and an expensive sweatshirt.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you can afford a $600 sweatshirt, you don't need any more good luck.

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    #42

    Funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about a girl asking for champagne and showing Instagram as ID.

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    Pencil
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once accepted someone's Linkedin page as proof of age.

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    #47

    Funny conversation overheard in the streets of LA about a bad date from 7 years ago between two strangers.

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    KDav
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're different people now; maybe it'll work this time.

    #48

    Text post with a funny overheard conversation from the streets of LA about deep soul searching and shopping.

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    #50

    Alt text: Humorous street conversation overheard in LA about Daylight Savings and wearing sunglasses less due to early darkness.

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    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Daylight Saving Time gives us more light at the end of the day. During summer, when we already have more light. DST is f*cking stupid.

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    Note: this post originally had 69 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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