Gossip -Is it Ever a Good Thing?
I think it was Oscar Wilde who once said "There's only one thing
worse than being talked about .....and that's NOT being talked
about." Have I got that right? Anyway I just love that quote.
Sometimes I feel quite happy with it because at least if you're
being talked about you must have something interesting about you
even if it is negative! At least you inspire a reaction in
people.
There's another quote which I love too taken from a poster that was up in an office I used to work in. it read:
Small people talk about other people
Average people talk about things
Great people talk about ideas
If that is the case then I am sometimes a great person but I have to admit I do love to talk about people. I mean we all do though don't we? Especially as I am a woman. We love it. Show me a woman who says she doesn't EVER gossip and I will show you a liar!
As a writer I HAVE to be interested in people and what makes them tick and I am sure you will relate to this too. The meaning of the word gossip has changed over the centuries from it's original definition of "kindred relation" to empty talk. Now the Oxford English Dictionary definition of gossip is casual conversation OR unsubstantiated reports about other people. Therefore I would say that the former is human nature-we all talk about other people and the latter is the bad thing. So gossip I think is only a good thing if we're not maligning people or spreading rumours. I've probably just stated the obvious I know but maybe we all need to be reminded from time to time about what is acceptable gossip and what is not.
Some people dream of fame but I'm so glad I am not as I think I would be having nervous breakdowns every day with the amount of gossip you get in today's media.I think that is an utter scandal in itself and people like the paparattzi and gossip columnists should bow their heads in utter shame making a living out of other people's misery. It's worse than it's ever been.
As long as gossip isn't malicious or maligning it can be a good thing surely. For example I really want to have a gossip about one set of neighbours on my Close to another! The reason being that one set of neighbours are being utterly grumpy sods with us these days. They've suddenly gone from being really nice to really grumpy and almost shunning me and my partner. I've tried the proper route by talking to them direct but to no avail. Now if I were to talk to the neighbours on the other side about them I may discover something useful like Bob and Linda are grumpy sods because Bob lost his job or someone in their family died. That way I would understand what is going on and I wouldn't want to gossip about them anymore!!!!
Anyway I guess I'll keep on gossiping (in the "interested in people" sort of way) because if I didn't I don't think I would have much to write about!
"Hell is other people" John Paul Sartre once said and when it comes to malicious gossip they are. But I think just talking about other people generally isn't so "small" after all.
'Til next time,
Jazzgirl
There's another quote which I love too taken from a poster that was up in an office I used to work in. it read:
Small people talk about other people
Average people talk about things
Great people talk about ideas
If that is the case then I am sometimes a great person but I have to admit I do love to talk about people. I mean we all do though don't we? Especially as I am a woman. We love it. Show me a woman who says she doesn't EVER gossip and I will show you a liar!
As a writer I HAVE to be interested in people and what makes them tick and I am sure you will relate to this too. The meaning of the word gossip has changed over the centuries from it's original definition of "kindred relation" to empty talk. Now the Oxford English Dictionary definition of gossip is casual conversation OR unsubstantiated reports about other people. Therefore I would say that the former is human nature-we all talk about other people and the latter is the bad thing. So gossip I think is only a good thing if we're not maligning people or spreading rumours. I've probably just stated the obvious I know but maybe we all need to be reminded from time to time about what is acceptable gossip and what is not.
Some people dream of fame but I'm so glad I am not as I think I would be having nervous breakdowns every day with the amount of gossip you get in today's media.I think that is an utter scandal in itself and people like the paparattzi and gossip columnists should bow their heads in utter shame making a living out of other people's misery. It's worse than it's ever been.
As long as gossip isn't malicious or maligning it can be a good thing surely. For example I really want to have a gossip about one set of neighbours on my Close to another! The reason being that one set of neighbours are being utterly grumpy sods with us these days. They've suddenly gone from being really nice to really grumpy and almost shunning me and my partner. I've tried the proper route by talking to them direct but to no avail. Now if I were to talk to the neighbours on the other side about them I may discover something useful like Bob and Linda are grumpy sods because Bob lost his job or someone in their family died. That way I would understand what is going on and I wouldn't want to gossip about them anymore!!!!
Anyway I guess I'll keep on gossiping (in the "interested in people" sort of way) because if I didn't I don't think I would have much to write about!
"Hell is other people" John Paul Sartre once said and when it comes to malicious gossip they are. But I think just talking about other people generally isn't so "small" after all.
'Til next time,
Jazzgirl
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7 Comments
The paradox of the paparazzi is that they only exist because we (in quotes) read their trash.
And then we have Bob and Linda...
JG, may I call you JG? Anyway. Do me a favour will you? Don't talk to us or your other neighbours. Just go over there and say "hey guys. Have we upset you some how? Because if we have we're really sorry." And let them make the next move. You never know, it could be something as silly as you never responded when they shouted "hi" in the supermarket. You never responded because you didn't see them, hear them or responded to them. Or, alternatively, they'll tell you "well yes as a matter of fact you have. You told Bill and Emily yada yada yada" and you can say "I did not! The lying toads!" if that is the truth or "Oh my god! I did, didn't I?! But it wasn't meant in any malicious way." if that is also the truth. Thing is, if they don't want to talk to you and tell you why; that is now their problem not yours anymore; you've offered the white flag and started the negotiations as if it were your fault and you're sorry.
Just a thought.
Ez
I know I was making a sweeping generalisation about women and gossiping but it was only really meant as a joke. I don't fit the general stereotype of a woman either. I can't multitask and I hate housework more than anything in the world.
Jazz :0)
P.S I also cannot iron, will not iron, and refuse to iron :-)
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