A young woman's suicide shocked the quiet English town. Even more startling was the conclusion of the coroner's jury: "she was killed by idle gossip!" Evidently, the young woman's name, her reputation, and ultimately her life were ruined by the town's gossips.
Although the results are rarely that tragic, there is little question that gossip has awesome power. On the other hand, it may be credited as a common means of exchanging useful information. On the other hand, it may be held accountable for governmental turmoil, the splitting of families, the ruining turmoil, the splitting of families, the ruining of careers.
Gossip has been blamed for sleepless nights, heartache, and indigestion. And no doubt it has caused you some personal anguish at one time or another. In fact, writer William M. Jones warns that in the world of business, "you have to accept the possibility that in the course of career somebody will try to get a knife between your shoulder blades."
Negative gossip is almost universally frowned upon. Among the Seminole Indians of the United States," talking bad about anyone" is put in the same category as lying and stealing. In one West African community, tale bearers risked having their lips cut off or, even worse, they risked being executed! Indeed, throughout history, measures have been taken to curb gossip.
Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the so-called ducking stool was popularly used in England, in Germany, and, later, in the United States to try to shame gossipers into quitting their harmful chatter. One found guilty of the offense would be tied to a chair and repeatedly ducked in water.
While the ducking stool has long since gone the way of the pillory and stocks, a war against gossip has been carried on even in modern times. During the 1960's, for example, so called rumor - control centers were established in the United States to respond to rumors that were potentially harmful to government activities. Similar services have operated in Northern Ireland and in England. Laws have even been passed to curb gossip that is designed to cause economic damage to certain financially institutions.
Such efforts notwithstanding, gossip survives. It is alive and flourishing. Neither law nor any other human method has thus far succeeded in extinguishing its scorching power. Gossip is everywhere. There is neighborhood gossip, office gossip, shop gossip, party gossip, family gossip. It transcends all cultures, races, and civilizations, and it has flourished at every level of society. One expect said:"Gossip is so common it is almost like breathing." He also said: 'it is deeply a part of human nature. '
True, gossip often reveals a very dark side of human nature, a side that delights in tarnishing reputations, distorting the truth, and destroying the truth, and destroying lives. Yet, gossip is not inherently evil. There is a positive side to casual talk. And knowing where to draw the line between harmful and harmless gossip is the key to avoiding victimizing others and being a victim yourself.
I want to hear from you in the comment section how gossip has hurt you.
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