Gossip

Gossip. We are warned against it. It is the one reoccurring theme in every single major world religion. However, it offers social bonding and in some cultures it is even necessary for survival. One of my favorite internet poster that was going around recently puts it well, “If you didn’t see it with your own eyes, hear it with your own ears, don’t invent it with your small mind, and share it with your big mouth.” My very favorite gossip quote by Eleanor Roosevelt is, “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”

Recently, I started becoming really sensitive to gossiping. If I didn’t see it for myself I shouldn’t be talking about it. The more I started becoming aware of it in myself; I also became aware of other people doing it too.

One of my coworkers is a notorious gossip girl. As time has gone by she is getting worse and the more and more she gossips. Some of my favorite quotes I’ve overheard, “Well, what does your wife think about that?” “Ohhhh, she spends too much money?” “You know what I heard about you today?” “Yea, nobody likes him.” “Nuh uh! Who told you that?” “That’s not what I heard.” Or my all time favorite, “You lie!” It gets sooo unnerving to overhear these conversations all day.

According to some experts in psychology, gossip in the workplace is a form of attack and considered “workplace violence”. There is a lot of interesting theories and psychology on it and I can definitely see how it can be considered violence. Some of the conversations I’ve overheard are offensive just to hear from the outside. I can’t imagine if it was directed at me.

It really made me realize why we are so warned against it. Not only is it hurtful, but you really do look like a small minded little minion. It’s really not a good look for you, man!

Eventually, it caught up to her. People started noticing and her reputation got up to HR. In some companies she would have been fired but I think she just got a verbal. It seemed to back off for a couple days, maybe a week, but she seems to be back to her old gossiping shenanigans. Except now she whispers in the phone, and speaks Spanglish so people don’t understand her every word. I think someone told her they tap the phone and read through our emails.

We just must remember to be very aware of what comes from your mouth, because what comes from your mouth, comes from your heart.