Ideas on payback to office/co-worker eavesdroppers?

Question

Ok, I am in a high stress job & work as an independent agent. I rent an office in an agency with others in the same profession.

A co-worker & I oftain vent to each other which gets the junk off our chest & it revives us again. Well I have learned others have been eavesdropping on us and repeating it to the agency owner. It has caused us some trouble with him. I want to get back at those who repeat things that are none of their business & were not included in the conversation. They obviously think it makes them important getting us in trouble or gets points with the owner.

I want a series of lessons to pull on them. It won't be hard to get them to take the bait. All I have to do is be in my private office & pretend to talk on the phone. Even with the door shut (that really gets them curious) they can hear me.

Sorry, I don't think this is mean. They should not be spying on me.

Help me with some good tricks that don't involve them physically, only those that trap them in their eavesdropping habits.

Answer 1

Start a juicy rumor that isn't true and let them run with it.

Answer 2

No matter what you do, you will find that gossip will always occur.  Heck, isn't that what you and your friend were doing?  So, they went and told the boss?  You should always make sure NOT to discuss things where others might hear.  

But, if you must......try exlax in their coffee (smile).

Next.

Answer 3

Make up something that involves the boss (but let him in on it first) or something that involves one of their wives or daughters.  

Answer 4

My suggestion is VERY mean -- and would probably end up pitting the eavesdroppers against each other ... but while talking to someone you know, who is in on the scheme, on the phone, tell them you heard that "subject a" told you that they were interviewing with another company (or insert any type of rumor about the person).  Then your friend could do the same at a different time with "subject b", and just keep doing it until you have covered all of the "subjects".

THAT should shut them up for a while.