GOSSIP

By Jayde C.

        Have you ever heard someone talk about someone behind their back? Gossip can lead to depression, negative thoughts about yourself, self-isolation, or worst case, suicide. Gossip is a vicious cycle that often can not be handled.  It can spread so quickly, and the outcome is oftentimes not even the truth. 

According to All Women's Talk, “No one is born evil; we’re good people on the inside, so everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt.”  You get one reputation.  Once that is damaged, even if untrue, it is hard to change the views people may have of you. The negative things that were said will always be in the back of someone's mind. Therefore, gossip can be very negative and permanently impact a person’s reputation.

Typically, the one spreading rumors about the person may just be jealous or trying to seek revenge for some reason.  According to Jack Schafer,  “People like to gossip because it gives them a sense that they possess secret information about another person, which gives them a sense of power.”  However, there is another form of gossip. The unintentional kind.  Sometimes gossip could just be someone chatting to someone else and the story gets completely mixed up. That can happen when a story goes from one individual to another.  It can start out as something so innocent, and the next thing you know the whole story went in the wrong direction.

Can gossip be good for you? That's challenging to answer, but there are two ways to look at it. Of course, gossip is bad, but expressing your feelings in a good way can be good for you by helping you to release stress. Martinescu from Worklife said, “Over time, gossip might help people realize they have shared values and experiences, which can help bring them closer.” On the other hand, when you express your emotions too much or in an angry way, it may offend people. In instances when you attempt to release that stress you can potentially ruin it for yourself when people do not like what you have to say. In those cases, expressing your negative thoughts and feelings can sometimes demolish relationships.

It is sad to hear how much of people's time is dedicated to gossip. Gossip makes up 80% of our conversations!  We all think women are the bigger blabber mouths, but, as stated by Inc., “More than half (55%) of men admit to gossiping while four in five (79%) women chat at the office. However, men prove to be the bigger blabber-mouths; they spend about one hour a week talking about the juicy stuff, compared to women who gossip just over 30 minutes a week.” 

Gossip can be extremely hurtful. People's feelings can be hurt very easily when others  gossip about them. When people participate in gossip, it can humiliate and embarrass the individuals that are being talked about. Victims of gossip can have doubts and create thoughts about themselves that shouldn't happen. Without gossip, the world would be a more peaceful and friendly place; everyone could get along and focus on the important things in life.