I miss gossip

H

Happy Retiree

Member
Location
Canada
Oh, I can just hear everyone getting into this discussion and telling me I'm a terrible person. But I got to say, one of the things I missed about working, was the gossip. Who was sleeping with whom, who was a crappy boss, how one employee would try to do the least possible and got away with it, etc. It was kind of like a Peyton Place. Come on, bring it on, I've got a tough skin.
 

seadoug

seadoug

Member
Location
Texas
I don't think you are a terrible person at all.

I'll just say that I've been retired for almost 3 years and couldn't care less about what is happening in my former industry, but I still receive e-mails and texts with gossip about what is going on with my company from both former and current employees. It engages me for about 2 minutes and then reminds me why I'm glad I'm no longer there. I was always a "nose to the grindstone" person who didn't have time for the drama in the office.

I do have a good friend and former employee who thrived on gossip when she worked for me. She still got the job done so I was fine with it. She is an empath and extrovert and I am an introvert, but we have remained close since retiring. Perhaps the difference in personalities is why we had such different ways of approaching the office environment.
 
NorthernLight

NorthernLight

Senior Member
Location
Northern BC
When I lived on an island of 1000 people, there was lots of gossip. Most of it was well meaning. You'd learn who needed help, or you'd get useful info, etc. Some of the gossip was negative, but deservedly so (e.g., warnings), while some was a bit sketchy or just opinionated.

Now I live in a different small community. I think it's kind of similar, but the dynamics are different, so I'm not privy to much of the gossip.

I used to think gossip was bad, but sometimes it's just neighborly. People know they can't easily get away with certain misbehaviors.
 

Alligatorob

Alligatorob

Well-known Member
Location
Northern Utah, transplanted from Florida/Louisiana
I agree with @NorthernLight gossip isn't all bad, it kind of serves a purpose so we know what's going on with people around us.

I am now in a strange place with respect to gossip. Its a relatively small town we've been here about 5 years. The town is ~95% Mormon. I think a lot of the gossip goes on within church circles, of which I am not a part. However I know I am talked about, I am often surprised to find out what near strangers know about me.

For example the other day at the gym a guy started asking me about what I did, turned out he already knew, and knew what my level of education was and where I had gone to school. All I knew about him was his first name. I can't assume anyone here doesn't know me, but I don't know much about most of them. No harm in it really, I guess. In fact one advantage is they all seem to know I am not a Mormon, and not a likely target for conversion. Never had a missionary or anything close visit me here, just as well.
 
D

Disgustedman

Senior Member
Happy Retiree said:
Oh, I can just hear everyone getting into this discussion and telling me I'm a terrible person. But I got to say, one of the things I missed about working, was the gossip. Who was sleeping with whom, who was a crappy boss, how one employee would try to do the least possible and got away with it, etc. It was kind of like a Peyton Place. Come on, bring it on, I've got a tough skin.
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Here where I am, there's gossip so juicy you'd think you were eating grapes. There's a group (me included) who wander around, side-eyeing unknown and knowns.

We'll also sit fairly spread so we can hear background chatter while the head rattles off stuff. Then we compare notes. We'll walk in a wandering style, but we're scoping out "Who, What and Who you have living with you.

We don't snitch, but we will approach either the two workers, or their boss. Discuss things and point out stuff they might miss.

That's one benefit to people living in nursing homes, ASL's and places like this, we're so close to each other, we almost know what their eating daily.
 
Jules

Jules

Well-known Member
Location
Beautiful BC
NorthernLight said:
I used to think gossip was bad, but sometimes it's just neighborly.
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If it’s just discussion about what’s happening, no big deal. Spreading malicious, unsubstantiated secrets is different. Some people are so obsessed with not gossiping that they won’t say anything. One neighbour died and another didn’t say anything. It was embarrassing when talking to the spouse later. They had to repeat the whole story and at the end they said they said they thought X would have told me.
 
horseless carriage

horseless carriage

Well-known Member
The cut & thrust of work, the banter and the gossip, it's one of many reasons why I still work. Two years of retirement had me climbing the walls with boredom, when the opportunity to return came I jumped at it. Here I am twelve years past the state retirement age and in fifteen minutes I shall be at work, A problem arose yesterday, could I help out, they appreciate that it's a Saturday, but it's a case of needs must! See you all later.
 
katlupe

katlupe

Well-known Member
Location
Norwich, NY
I can learn all the gossip by just one visit by one of my neighbors (apartment building not a job). Sometimes I already know it and by the time it is told to me it is a whole different story. I am mainly an introvert so I don't go looking for information about anyone. My friends here usually are asking me for advice (don't know why they come to me) so I make sure not to repeat what they have told me in confidence. I feel like they trust me.
 
Ronni

Ronni

The motormouth ;)
Location
Nashville TN
Oooh I love gossip!! 😂

My daughter and I have lots of folks we both know, and we worked together for several years so that we have lots of people in common that we can talk about! 😉

We’re very close and we talk all the time, so it’s not uncommon for one of us to open a conversation with “I have gossip!” 😂 We’re not malicious about it, it’s just our way of catching each other up on the doings of our mutual acquaintances.
 
NorthernLight

NorthernLight

Senior Member
Location
Northern BC
Jules said:
If it’s just discussion about what’s happening, no big deal. Spreading malicious, unsubstantiated secrets is different. Some people are so obsessed with not gossiping that they won’t say anything. One neighbour died and another didn’t say anything. It was embarrassing when talking to the spouse later. They had to repeat the whole story and at the end they said they said they thought X would have told me.
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Yes, when I moved away at age 16, everyone in my high school said I was pregnant (I sure wasn't). I have a relative who jumps to conclusions and states her speculations as fact. I belonged to a group where we talked about personal things, and we were exhorted not to repeat anything. Your secret is safe with me.

But living on an island with no police presence, and depending on each other for many things, I began to see the value of harmless gossip.
 
Jules

Jules

Well-known Member
Location
Beautiful BC
Gaer

Gaer

"Angel whisperer"
Location
New Mexico U.S.A.
When you say, "She states her speculations as fact" you are speaking of me.
Yes, because words of Holy Angels are fact.

For thousands of years, we judge, laugh at, gossip, criticize and condemn
because we functioned at a lower, narrow vision. "Guilotine!"
Now we know our thoughts and words are responsible for the atmosphere
of the entire world and we must send out a higher vibration.
We know now we are to try to send thoughts and words which will be useful
to us, that we can enjoy. Words that are favorable and elevating, favorable,
not just to us but to all mankind.

I can't always do this. I'm trying hard to do this. I have much to learn!
To be a lady, to be gracious, is to shy away from gossip.
 
Lee

Lee

Senior Member
Location
Chatham, Ontario
As soon as someone says to you "promise not to repeat this to anyone" you know you are in for a good dose of old fashioned gossip ;)
 


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