Is it rude to interject in somebody's conversation?

[wenk]

As I sit in this internet cafe, The people beside me are loudly and WRONGLY discussing the effects of some drugs. Is it inappropriate to interject into strangers conversations? As the subject matter is irrelevant to anything, I am not planning to do it right now, just wondering what you think about the situation in general. If they are trying to convince people that you can't get to uptown on Bus 5, but you know you can, should you say something?

[Ademn]

Well I personally WOULD interject. But to answer your question, yes, it is usually rude to interject. But its also rude to talk loudly while sitting next to someone who is being quite and minding there own business...

[Mark R]

It depends on the people, the circumstance, and if you want to be bothered or not. I have no problem interjecting something into a conversation if I believe the people involved would appreciate what I have to say.

If I think they won't, screw it!!! Let them wallow in their own ignorance.

[Steph the Great]

You don't have to. People are entitled to their opinions, and even if you interject with the absolutely right answer it'll still be rude and it'll just make a huge argument.

[yowza]

Preface it by saying "I couldn't help but overhear..." or "If I may..." I've done this a couple of times. I don't think it's rude. They're having a conversation in a public place, and you have information that might help.

[Victoria]

If it was something like the bus then I would mention it if I knew that it was different.

However information or conversations about drugs if they are both talking about it to each other then it is none of your business really and if one is trying to convince the other to take them then again in my opinion I wouldn't get involved, there are certain things you don't but in to.

[misslabeled]

What you're doing is relative to the rudeness of eavesdropping. In public you can hear others talking, but you're not supposed to actively listen. So, by extension, interrupting it you compound the infraction. Of course, if they are speaking so loudly that others cannot help but hear, there is an excuse for having heard it. At that point, if their misunderstanding of something is liable to be dangerous, then you might want to interject. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear... As a matter of fact taking eight Tylenol and four shots of vodka may only make you not care about your headache, not cure it faster. It will, however, destroy your liver."

If you're going to contradict someone on a relatively innocuous matter, do so with the utmost diplomacy, "Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but I've taken the 5 uptown as far as [Street]. Perhaps you're thinking of the 2." That gives them an out rather than putting them on the defensive for being wrong.

Of course, there's always staying mute and being happy that YOU know you're right and they're wrong, and updating your status on Facebook saying so.

[Jm e]

No, not appropriate. Just keep your mouth shut. Some people have some type of self righteousness to them that will make them think they are justified in interrupting someone elses conversation, but that isn't true. It just prooves you are listening to someone else's conversation.
Proper protocol is to remain silent.