I am SICK of mindless gossipers and people who b!tch just for the sake of it. I work in a corporate office (typical large office with open plan layout) and often overhear staff in my team criticising my other colleagues behind their back. I've even caught two women gossiping about me when as soon as my back was turned!
What is it with these people? Are they bored? Are they even aware that they're doing it? And more to the point, is there anything I can I do to stop them?
Hmmm, you will never stop gossiping. You will just have to put up with it i am afraid. they are not bored and they are fully aware they are doing it. You will just have to wait until its someone elses turn to gossip about...
....'and I heard that Champers lass... eh?... oh, her... over there by the water cooler, is a right goer... apparently, she like it up'.... 'eh?... nothing... what were you saying Champagne?'... ;o)
I'd like to think that there is a difference between gossip and idle chit chat.
I chit chat to my colleagues and if we talk about other people in the office it's not in a malicious manner at all. Never really anything personal.
Gossip is generally more harmful stuff. Jabs at someones physical appearance, things they have said, things they do. I try not to get too involved in things like that at work as the most innocent comment can be chinese whispered into something evil.
Champagne, I think I have asked you before but I have got it into my head that you work for the BBC. Is this a correct hunch of mine?
It just winds me up at times, BOO. Most of the time I rise above it, but it does bother me when I overhear malicious gossip about an innocent party and then witness the gossips being nice to that person as soon as they show their face. And yes, it is certain culprits who i'm referring to. They certainly don't just chit-chat.
drchasuble, I'm afraid your hunch is wrong!
Oh and snagged, that's not idle gossip. That's a well known fact! Hahahaa!
And drchasuble, you only thought that because one day I was hovering on the BBC news page (which I try to catch up on daily) and had mentioned it twice on here! I also talk about $ex a lot on here but it doesn't make me a prostitute.
Office gossip is like a fondant fancy. Always appealing but ultimately unhealthy. Those that indulge often are usually unhappy in themselves and end up a little sad. Those that avoid them never have any fun or fulfilment. The most satisfied are those who delight themselves occasionally when the fondants are at their freshest and use the power of the fondant for personal expression and gain.
Sometimes fondant fancies can be a useful tool. For example if your boss asks why someone in your team is feeling miserable or has turned up late, it might be helpful for you to point out that they haven�t had a fondant fancy for some time and is lacking in adequate e-numbers. Another thing to remember is that when fondant fancies are used in extricating information from a competitor, this is called intelligence, not gossip.
Actually, office gossip IS like a fondant fancy. It may seem sweet and delicious and highly tempting, but... OH SOD IT! Somebody just hand me the damn cake!! I'm drooling here!