| Jan 17, 2006 @ 12:23 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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Thor1960303
Posts: 1,874
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This, too, seems to be another primarily female activity although I do know some guys who enjoy it.I don't get it.Who really cares what neighbors and friends do when they're not in your company?It's something that can get so out of hand it can ruin relationships,cause jobs to be lost and hosts of other unpleasantness.
I've had gossip spread about me that was so ludicrous,it would make headlines in the National Enquirer and Weekly World News seem tame by comparison.Then I tracked it down to a close family member who was seriously wacked on Rx drugs.Fortunately not too many people took it seriously,but there were some who eyed me suspiciously for awhile until I exposed the BS.
What IS the attraction?Are gossipers' lives so void of escitement and interest that they have to live vicariously through someone else?
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 1:36 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,791
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 Could be possible..
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 1:43 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 15,333
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My guess always was that it made them feel special or important to be 'the first to know'. I worked with one guy who was my favorite method of spreading disinformation. Anything anyone told him was sure to be broadcast within minutes. I'll get on the bandwagon if it's a funny rumor, but I'll try to stop it if I think someone's really going to be hurt by it, there's nothing funny about that. I've even gone so far as to run it back to its origin when it was nasty and make sure the one who started it (and the really nasty one I'm thinking of was started by a man) got busted for it publicly.
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 1:47 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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Snappygoddess
Posts: 3,814
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Couldn't have said it better myself, Thor  
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 9:14 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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MotherNatures
Posts: 78
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Well dear, that's what that whole:
"bear false witness" was talking about..
Gossip is an evil EVIL behavior, and those that fall into it, are as miserable as they get..
~MotherNature (who is no more interested in that, than robbing a bank)
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 9:16 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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MotherNatures
Posts: 78
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OH And...
This, too, seems to be another primarily female activity
..
.... Spend a lil' while with my xHusband, and you may change your thoughts on that "primarily female" thang.. *wink*
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 10:25 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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wandaful123
Posts: 1,511
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Gossip does no-one any good, especially when vindictive. Is it still gossip though when you know a truth about a situation and repeat it to save someone pain? Not sneaking around but open communication. None of the "don't tell them I said it" BS. I do not say anything about anyone that I am not willing to claim responsibilty for.
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 10:41 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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Pete73052
Posts: 19,368
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Personally, I love gossip. I'm like an old lady. I like to hear all the "stuff" - I dont' care if it's true or not... I just want to hear it.
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| Jan 17, 2006 @ 10:48 PM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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wandaful123
Posts: 1,511
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I hate it Pete! I think people with small minds and characters use it against others to make themselves feel better about their own faults and weeknesses.
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| Jan 18, 2006 @ 11:48 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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Thor1960303
Posts: 1,874
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Thor stop your whining about the female race, you've been at it all afternoon left and right.
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Not whining about women,merely pointing out differences and questioning them.As was noted here,gossip is not only a female trait,however if you did a demographical study,I'm sure it would show as a PRIMARILY female trait.In my post on meddling,on another site,one woman told me that women were capable of "deeper intimacy" in their friends' relationships than men were,which prompted me to ask that question in another thread.
I hope that clears things up.
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| Feb 19, 2006 @ 1:52 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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AngelLight
Posts: 5,462
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"Gossip is usually about me so I can't comment about it."
Waiting  , don't 
Ahhhhhhhh yes, gossip, don't and won't participate in it. People know this about me so I usually never hear "the dirt", and if I do, I usually say something upfront or confront the person dishing the dirt because it's often hurtful or untrue or said when the person who is being spoken about is not there and so cannot clarify the gossip or rumor.
And gossip at work can really contribute to a hostile working environment and who wants to be around that 
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| Feb 19, 2006 @ 9:50 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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sciurusniger
Posts: 2,959
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So many people seem to have the deep-seated need to make themselves feel better, more important, by being more knowledgeable than anyone else about other people's activities. Whether or not said knowledge bears any resemblance to reality.
It is one thing to subtley clue others in as to the reason why a person might, for example, be cranky of late (e.g. a severe illness or medical issue with someone close to them) but even at that, it isn't necessary to reveal details. Considerate and kind listeners realize details aren't necessary; it is enough to know that perhaps someone is under severe stress and so their actions shouldn't be taken personally.
It is another thing altogether to run around like a newsboy for the National Enquirer hacking the latest activities of someone else as if they were instead escapades and even worthy of notice. So much of this is simply moralistic judgement, which frankly, like opinions, are better kept to one's Self and practiced solo.
I have found the best work teams share with one another, but that sharing is based on trust. They are gentle and don't pry, nor do they betray confidences. And that holds for real friends, as well. It is helpful to ask - and to honestly answer - would repeating ANY information about another serve any real and good purpose? Most of time, I think one finds the answer is "no".
(steps down gracefully from her soapbox and promptly trips over the microphone cord)
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| Feb 19, 2006 @ 10:47 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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Pete73052
Posts: 19,368
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I've got to admit - I love gossip too... (I may have said this back when this thread started). It's like watching someone back into a parked car. 
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| Feb 19, 2006 @ 10:51 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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sciurusniger
Posts: 2,959
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Actually, it tells far, far more about the gossiper than the gossipee.
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| Feb 20, 2006 @ 3:20 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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EyesofBlue72660
Posts: 12,763
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So many people seem to have the deep-seated need to make themselves feel better, more important, by being more knowledgeable than anyone else about other people's activities.
I agree, Sci!! I also believe that many gossipers are flat out miserable people. I think they focus on others' situations and embellish so they don't have to face their own problems. That and they believe it diverts others' attention from seeing how miserable they actually are.
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| Feb 20, 2006 @ 9:31 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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questioning1
Posts: 315
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I love gossip!
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| Feb 20, 2006 @ 11:01 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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Pete73052
Posts: 19,368
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I agree, Sci!! I also believe that many gossipers are flat out miserable people. I think they focus on others' situations and embellish so they don't have to face their own problems. That and they believe it diverts others' attention from seeing how miserable they actually are.
That's why I love it.
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| Feb 20, 2006 @ 11:29 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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questioning1
Posts: 315
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So many people seem to have the deep-seated need to make themselves feel better, more important, by being more knowledgeable than anyone else about other people's activities.
This too.
We're a match made in h%$@. 
[Edited on 2/20/2006 11:39 AM]
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| Feb 20, 2006 @ 11:33 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction?
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Pete73052
Posts: 19,368
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Let's not start any rumors... 
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| Feb 20, 2006 @ 11:40 AM |
Gossip:What's the attraction? |
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questioning1
Posts: 315
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About what?
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