Same here. There was about four families that shared the same line and we were all neighbors. Sometimes we would hear things we shouldn't. And, of course, as kids we were always trying to spy & phone prank our neighbors.
Oh I paid every penny back. And yes, very very dangerous.
Basically it was the purpose of having really cheap phone service. Your phone line was shared with several others in the same exchange (ie. If you lived where your first three phone digits were 636, then you shared the same phone line with others in the 636 area). Often times when you picked up the phone to use it, there would be some other household on the line and you had to wait till they got off to use the phone. It was super easy to listen to other family's conversations. And you always had to wonder if someone on your party line was listening to your's. It was basically the same as having several phones in your house but only it was several phones in your house and neighbors houses, all connected on the same line.
