Do you trust people who gossip? (whether it be a friend, family member, co-worker)?

Question

Also, why do you think people gossip?

Honestly, I don't get the whole gossiping bit.....nor do I want to.

Answer 1

It really depends on what they gossip about.

I love to hear news of people I know, friends and family, and will happily sit for hours talking about people's new baby or what course someone's son is taking at university, or the latest romance of a friend's child.

But malicious gossip, that hurts or harms others ... no thanks.

It is usually only told for one of two reasons ~ the person telling it is trying to stir up some 'drama' or ingratiate themselves with others by passing on 'secrets'; or the person telling the nasty gossip is an outright bully trying to intimidate the person they are talking about.

My standard response is to say "Oh really, I've always thought so-and-so was a very nice person, I'll have to give them a call" or something along those lines ... to show that I won't listen to nasty things about people and also that I don't automatically believe what others tell me.

As far as why people gossip, I'm sure it's just that we are all interested in people, and talking about others is what keeps the wheels of social networking going around! Don't you like to know if a friend or acquaintance has a happy or sad event in their life, so you can support them or cheer them on?

Well, we all do!

It is a normal human need to make connections and share news and information about others, we are a 'social animal' after all!

Where it gets nasty is when people, for their own reasons, use this normal part of human life to try to harm others or dominate them

Such people are usually bullies ~ either passive or aggressive, lol, and they need what all bullies need ~ a big press of the 'ignore' button!

Cheers :-)

Answer 2

I am a gossip! The idea that by being a gossip makes me completely untrustworthy is ridiculous.

I gossip because I like to know everything. Gossiping acts as a stream of information exchange.

Not all gossips are horrible people, spreading rumors and hurting people. I may gossip, but I also never hesitate to go to the source of any rumor to verify what I've heard. I'm also not scared to repeat any of what I'm saying to the person/people I'm talking about.

If someone says to me, "Hey, this is personal, keep it on the down low. Don't say anything." I won't. Just because I'm a gossip doesn't mean I can't keep my mouth shut. That has nothing to do with being a gossip. That has to deal with showing respect for people and their wishes.

Answer 3

People gossip because their lives aren't full and they think those who listen to their gossip are friends. Instead, they are people whose lives are empty too and they are also seeking attention. Gossipers pass on what they hear, make up more to add to the gossip and thereby become liars and the ripple effect can damage the lives of perfectly good people. Never ever trust gossip!!!

Answer 4

I don't think it is a matter of trust. The benefit of knowing in advance that I am dealing with a snake, has prevented many a snake bite!
Many times, people who gossip, just do so to make their miserable little lives seem sooooo much better. My experience has shown me that family will be the first ones to jump on the band wagon.
This world would be a more bearable place if everyone had the same values as you.

Answer 5

No, I don't trust ppl who gossip. If I tell them anything, I know it will only be repeated....even if I didn't tell them anything, they would still repeat what I do!!! Doesn't matter if it's family, friend or co-worker.

Why do they gossip? My guess is that they are insecure and need to take a focus off themselves and place it on someone else at any cost...or they don't know how to keep quiet so they talk about anything and everything, including other ppls business.

Answer 6

I always assume anyone who would gossip about other people would equally gossip about me and try my best to give them nothing to gossip about.

I think they gossip to feel important because presumably they have knowledge the other person presumably doesn't and can share. I think serious gossip mongers don't have enough satisfaction in their own lives.

Answer 7

No. Gossiping is not a trustworthy thing to do. I do not gossip, I will politely listen to what someone says at work, but I will not respond to it other than to tell the person that I don't get involved with other peoples business.

Answer 8

I HATE gossips. My theory is that if people gossip to me about someone else they are also gossiping to everyone else about me. I don't trust gossips and I don't get close to them. I think people gossips for many reasons: They are just making conversation and don't know what else to talk about. They feel bad about themselves and try to put others down to make themselves feel as if they are better - it's called leveling. Gossips seem like miserable people to me.

Answer 9

almost EVERY PERSON gossips in their own way, whether it be a friend, family member or co-worker. You can tell when someone is over doing it or just being plain cruel by what they say & you get bad vibes about them, that's how you know you can't trust them. Stay away from these type of people.

Answer 10

No. If they will gossip about someone else to you, they will likely gossip about you to others.
I think that people who gossip are bored with their own lives and want to stir things up by talking about others.