Ulterior Motives

I love to people watch, I could do it all day! This may be why I get sucked into reality TV shows so easily, and can stand to watch Extra! while I am working out. I really like to see what makes people tick, and why they do the things they do.
My cubicle buddy (also my MOH) and I have invented a new game which we call Ulterior Motives...and it is pretty much what you guessed it would be. We watch people and listen to conversations throughout the office and try to figure out ulterior motives...
It is pretty entertaining actually ( and maybe a little lame, but it helps make the work day more interesting....
My favorite is when people try to get you to ask them about something, so they can talk about themselves. For example, "I can't believe no one asked me what I ordered us for lunch today." (yes this actually happened to me). As you may, or may not know I really am not huge fan of small talk with people I don't know that well. So when someone came over and plopped themselves on top of my desk and said "I can't believe no one asked me what I ordered us for lunch today." I responded " Weird!" Then I realized what was going on. The conversation starter wanted me to ask what was ordered for lunch, so their efforts could be validated...Since I didn't give the appropriate response by asking the conversation went stale fast, and I caved. I asked....Luckily, the convo was cut short by a phone call. Lunch was pretty good though!
There are other ulterior motives as well, like getting someone else to do a task for you: change the printer cartridge, draft a document, get you something from the kitchen.
Politicians, celebrities and everyone else use them all the time too. It is an interesting way to read the news articles about current events.

I used my own UM this weekend by getting Dan to try on wedding bands by picking a jewelery store that was next to Whole Foods. And yes, it worked. =]