I work in a specialized technical field that deals with police departments. Aside from equipment repairs, we also offer technical phone support. I overheard this from another technician on a support phone call.

Officer: “My equipment is not working. The display is blank.”

Tech: “Is the equipment turned on?”

Officer: “Yes, it’s turned on.”

Tech: “Is the power cord plugged in?”

Officer: “Yes.”

Tech: “Is the power cord plugged in at the other end?”

Officer: “No.”

Tech: “Plug it in.”

That had to be one of the best tech support calls I ever overheard!

I have just arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and am on a bus from the airport to the old town with a bunch of tourists. The town is famous (among other things) for being the filming location of King’s Landing for the show “Game Of Thrones”, so a lot of tourists come here for that reason.

I overhear a phone call between a young American fellow and his mother back in the States. It seems like this is his first trip abroad and his mother is worrying.

Passenger: “Yes, I am on the shuttle bus to the airport now.”

Pause.

Passenger: “No, a bus. Just a regular bus.”

Pause.

Passenger: “No, Mom, I told you! It’s a regular bus, with wheels and— What? Yes, it’s a real road! Like a normal highway!”

Pause.

Passenger: “You know I’m not literally going to Westeros, right?”

Pause.

Passenger: “Yes, they do have Wi-Fi.”

Pause.

Passenger: “Because this is 2022, and they have electricity, and democracy, and TikTok.”

I overheard this while visiting my elderly parents.

Mum: “Dear, you’ve left the bathroom heater on again!”

Dad: “No, it turns itself off after a while.”

Mum: *Irritated* “NO, IT DOESN’T! IT’S ALWAYS ME!”

Dad: *Teeny-tiny voice* “Oh.”

One of my coworkers is a real ball of sunshine. I overhear this exchange with another coworker as she’s leaving for the day.

Coworker #1: “Well, have a good night, [Coworker #2]!”

Coworker #2: “No, I won’t have a good night. I’m spending it with my daughter!”

I overheard this at my local game retailer.

Customer #1: “Why would you play [Game]?”

Customer #2: “For the same reason anyone plays any game; they enjoy it.”

Customer #1: “But it’s rated E!”

Customer #2: “Which stands for EVERYONE. What, you think that just because something is family-friendly, that means that adults can’t enjoy it?”