QOTD: Wed Feb 19: Gossip...

[danger_dan]

Whether celebrity, office, between a group of friends, or some other form, it's all around...
...and although there may be some truth to the things being spread, more often than not, gossip is gossip...
How 'involved' do you get gossip?

[grannynellie]

I definitely DO NOT listen to gossip from my neighbour or anyone else and it will not affect my judgement towards anyone. Most of the time it's not true anyways!

[bargain_hunter_lola]

I try to steer clear of gossip -- although I do listen when DH tells me the low down on certain people. lol. I never pass it on though.

After spending a lot of time with both men and women, I'm convinced that guys gossip more than women do (of course they don't think it's gossip though) - DH's brothers and co-workers seem worse than most women I know. lol

[Natalka]

Don't gossip, never did.

If someone tells me something, it stays with me, whatever it is, whomever it is about.
Often, I will stop someone from telling me something if I realize it is gossip.
It's also interesting how some people don't know exactly what gossip is...

[SunandMoon]

Gossip is saying behind their back what you would not say to their face. Flattery is saying to their face what you would not say behind their back.
N0, I never listen to gossip.

[frugal50]

one rule of thumb in the workplace: NO gossip

yes you can listen, but don't pass on information

you still want to know what's really going on

and not be totally unaware of your surroundings.

[ticul]

Wen someone starte gossip I always say "I dont want to ear it" and I dont hang around people that gossip. Most of the time I just walk away. I dont gossip and I sure dont want to ear it.........

[DiamondLil]

I listen to gossip and take note. I make sure that I guard myself around those that seem to relish spreading gossip because God only knows what they say about me when my back is turned.

[Shwa Girl]

How 'involved' do you get gossip?

O.k.
Two types of gossip: Celebrity gossip and Real life gossip.

For celebrity gossip, guilty - kinda like this.
Like, if Oprah is giving away another car in a Calgary event, maybe I should be there.
Yes, the Shwa Girl has her faults

For real life gossip - about friends, family, coworkers, enemies twice removed -- No. No. No. Because, there is always two sides to the story and the gossiper is only telling their side.

I gently say to the gossiper -- no, I don't want to hear this.
If the gossiper persists, I leave the room.
Done and done.

[acosta]

I definitely have some friends where it seems like all they ever do is gossip.
I have since taken a back seat on hanging out with them.

Celebrity gossip - that's nonsense anyway. It's basically a fake life they lead.
If you're talking about it, they probably want you to.

Someone posted that the best form of flattery is when people are talking about you. I believe this. But hearing gossip about yourself, will definitely still hurt.

[coyote00]

I have seen many people hurt by gossip. The problem with gossip is that it jaded by every person who repeats it. Do you remember playing a game when you were young where one person whispers something to person next to them and they in turn whisper to the next person beside them? By the time it reaches the last person the comment is very distorted from the original one.

[Shwa Girl]

Celebrity gossip - that's nonsense anyway. It's basically a fake life they lead.
If you're talking about it, they probably want you to.

Sooo, keeping with the free car from Oprah scenario, can I have the car she was gonna give to you?

[harbie]

I don't! I believe in the saying "Gossip leads to Slander!". I say if you weren't there in the flesh to witness it then keep your Dorito shoot shut! I have recently been the topic of such gossip that turned out to be so far from the truth it was funny but it was really hurtful to me.

[Jina]

I don't gossip. If someone is sharing something with me, I don't say it to other people. Often I go to family gatherings and aunts/cousins/in-laws would gossip, I usually stay quiet, do not participate or just leave to do something else.
People used to gossip about me a lot during my early 20s and I hated it. Things that were totally untrue and hurtful. That's why I don't gossip.

I know who the gossipers are in the family or our group of friends so I make sure never to share personal information with them. I just tell them what they want to hear.