Eavesdropping As Sport

I was speaking with one of the more intelligent people I've met here in Sacramento when, in a 'getting to know you' conversation, they told me something just left of center to my sensibility.
It was like listening to Leontyne Price and then, right in the middle of her aria, she's interrupted by that "She Bang" Asian guy from American Idol. Man was I shocked, surprised and disappointed.

They said they'd have lunch, exercise and then do some eavesdropping... As if it was just something else to do like go for a walk.

Eavesdropping, by definition is spying and deemed unethical. Outside of a blatant expression of committing a crime, it's hard to know the validity of what's being said, especially if it's not meant for you to hear. Not to say that if you would get the truth from someone if you were face to face with them... Hmmm. People I've met out here have a problem with being honest as well. I can begin to see the utility of some eavesdropping, but not as sport. Maybe they meant 'practice' eavesdropping.

Imagine how empty. Imagine the psyche. It's kind of sickening to me. If ever there was a time to apply the phrase, "Get a life," I think that one would fit.

In cultures of old, eavesdropping was a punishable offense; maybe they should bring that punishment back.
An old adage says a person who eavesdrops never hears good things about themselves. It's also known that eavesdropping and hearing things out of context has led to countless misunderstandings, feuds, ruined friendships, careers and led to bloodshed - hopefully that of the eavesdropper.

My perception of that person changed in a heartbeat. What troubled me most about it was the matter-of-fact way they said it and how they even did so with a smile.
Okay, yes, it was a woman, but does that matter? Really?

Eavesdropping.

I'm trying to imagine a place cultivating a people who are so bored or... I don't quite know what, yet, that they would rather listen to someone else's conversation than to their own inner dialogue or even have a conversation of their own. Something should tell them what they are doing is wrong.

But I guess ethics are relative in this political town - California Still doesn't have a budget. It's about getting the edge or a leg up. Jump a claim or two. Get them before they get you... Yeah, that fits.
Not to judge the entire city on this one person's actions, but wow.