Gossip is spread through the halls of every school, written on bathroom walls, and talked about most everywhere you turn. We have all heard the vicious rumors, hurtful lies, and the oh so common he-say she-say stories. Chances are that at some point you have probably been guilty of contributing to the gossip factor.Gossiping occurs when
individuals spread information that they heard (which is usually negative) from one person to the next person. Most gossip is usually of a private nature, taboo, or something that’s openly known. This is what makes gossip so interesting and when people gossip they don’t consider the legitimacy of the rumors they are passing along nor how the stories originated. People merely pass along information that they heard. The truth is that most gossip has absolutely no basis and the rumors being passed along are either false or highly exaggerated.
“I must admit that I am guilty of gossiping. We all do it and you don’t wonder if what you’re hearing is true or not-you just repeat what you heard.” said junior Bevier Sanders.
When gossip is passed along it usually changes from person to person, the story never stays the same. Added info and a twisted story are the ingredints for one juicy rumor. Gossip is potentially destructive, because it has a negative connotation and can be hurtful to the person or persons it involves. Not to mention it can also cause emotional distress and can be detrimental to a person’s reputation.
“Gossiping is a big problem here at Prairie View. People say all kinds of things and encounter some form of gossip every day. Personally my stand on the whole gossip and rumor issue is to believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.” said senior Aaryin Collins.
If everyone would mind their own business and worry about themselves, gossiping would probably not be an issue. Gossip is hurtful, negative, and nothing
positive will come out of it and gets carried away because talking about other people’s lives is sometimes easier than dealing with your own problems. The thing is most gossip isn’t real and it can make a person’s life miserable.
The next time you consider gossiping and passing along some “un-official information” you heard, ask your self this, “How would I feel if the shoe were on the other foot, and this information was exploiting my personal business?” After all, who knows what’s been said about you.