Comments on: The allure of gossip

By: VickiB

VickiB — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:55:16 +0000

@BethBuelow This is why the world invented Twitter.

By: ArdenClise

ArdenClise — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:54:11 +0000

@BethBuelow Arden Clise
Beth, you are so right. I remember that article too. Some light, fun gossip in the workplace can help people form connections with their coworkers. Where it gets problematic is when it’s part of the culture and everyone talks about everyone all the time. That makes for a toxic environment; one where people don’t trust each other or feel safe. I have experienced that workplace and it’s not fun.

As I mentioned in my Facebook comment to your post about this I don’t think of you as someone who gossips. In fact, the few times I’ve forgotten my manners and gossiped you have been good about not joining in. That is the way to respond and to gain people’s respect of you. So, bravo to you!

By: BethBuelow

BethBuelow — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:16:31 +0000

Arden Clise , I agree, malicious or hurtful gossip is something to be absolutely avoided. I appreciate, though, that you mention that it’s not always a bad thing. I remember reading an NYT piece many years back that made the case that a little fun gossip in the workplace actually helped people connect and form stronger bonds, because it created an “I belong here” environment. I tried the find that piece and couldn’t, but here’s a more recent one that says the same: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/fashion/10Studied.html It makes the distinction between negative and positive gossip, which feels valid to me.

It feels like there’s also a difference between whether the gossip is about a mutual friend or colleague, or about, for instance, Angelina Jolie. While spreading negativity still puts negative energy out into the universe, it seems like celebrity gossip has slightly different rules (for better or for worse – Angelina is still a human being with feelings). After all, entire publications are devoted to nothing BUT gossip… they must be feeding some need, including the needs (for attention, publicity) of the gossip target.

I have to say, as an entrepreneur who works solo more often than not, I do sometimes miss the office chatter and banter that occasionally included a touch of healthy gossip. Just sayin’