Why do people gossip?

There isn't much to be seen in a little seminary, but what you hear makes up for it. Gossip has no value except what lies in the activity itself and the achievement of external ends in hurting others. People who indulge in gossip do not ponder deeply on the content or consequences of what they say. Do these people use their brain? Most of the time, it is talk for the sake of talking. Aldous Hugley described a gossip as a “professional athlete of the tongue”.

Since the typical content of gossip is usually behind-the-scenes, intimate information, it is indeed hard to verify it. With the lack of substantiation, the element of gossip is a byproduct of the confidential nature of the information conveyed. This unsubstantiated characteristic then become more typical of rumors or slander. Moreover, gossiping and spreading rumors is essentially a derogatory connotation of hearsay and by large due to the failure to distinguish the truth.

Gossip satisfies the basic need to acquire information about the personal and intimate aspects of other people's lives although one may be ignorant about how difficult it works in others’ lives. Gossip satisfies a tribal need, namely the need to belong to and be accepted by an uncharitable group of people. The sharing of intimate and personal information and the intimate manner of conveying this information contribute to the formation of an exclusive group with intimate and emotional ties between its members. They enjoy gossiping because it revolves around information not yet widely known and therefore “intriguing”! The negative information, generally concerns people who are not there to hear it, much like criticizing people behind their backs.

Gossip and rumour express insensitivity toward other people and indifference toward their feelings. The enjoyable and interesting elements in gossiping stem not merely from acquiring novel information but also from the content of this information e.g. the sexual life of a priest makes for juicier gossip and more intense sensation than the exploits of a prostitute!!! In most cases, gossiping and slandering exaggerate or distort information. It also shows the emotional intelligence of those who loves to gossip. How sad when gossiping and slandering is part of a person’s life. Indeed, how fruitful and authentic can his life be?