Is Gossip At Work Unavoidable?

[ba'al]

You can avoid Drama.

There are definitely jobs out there with healthy work environments.

Like one job I had was working in a Data center. It was mainly the owner(Rich Arab guy not tech savvy at all) than the rest of the team was pretty much introverted IT nerds and a couple customer service ladies and receptionist. Everyone stayed to themselves and when we did talk it was light like the weather, sports, videogames, what you're eating for lunch, work stuff, etc.


Another job I can think of are trades. A lot of trademens not trying to be out on site gossiping while doing heavy duty work that more office shyt. You out in Florida somewhere doing HVAC in the blistering sun you not trying to gossip and when you on break you resting and eating maybe watching videos on your phone.

Truck driving I got a few in my family and they pretty much pick up and carry loads solo dolo mainly. Probrably train up new guys but that's about it everyone than go home to their families.

 

[cheek100]

I work alone

 

[re'up]

Some of that is human nature. in group out group dynamics are hard wired human things.

Gossip is also used as a bonding tool. Like it can strengthen bonds between two people. It's also weaponized, to establish a hiearchy, or dispute one.

In an office, you want to hear the gossip, but you don't want to be a subject of it. Don't give people the material. Create alliances, but be strategic about them.

Also, even defining gossip can be difficult. Sometimes my friends are huge gossips and drama queens. Always about who fukked who, or whatever it is. It can be funny, but it's so limiting. Like you have to get out of your world, and discover more.

 

[Hopeofmypeople]

Yes even men do it, fukking ridiculous you have grown men bytching and gossiping like women. It’s literally like high school.

 

[cyndaquil]

Even working remotely people still gossip...
Work is like high school again for a lot of people

 

[T-K-G]

Yes, if you don't say anything to anyone then they'll just make up shyt about you anyway

You can control the bullshyt they drag you into or not, it's still gonna happen because TOO many adults are codependent and can't just lock in on their shyt without needing to bother someone else

 

[CopiousX]

Gossip is also used as a bonding tool. Like it can strengthen bonds between two people. It's also weaponized, to establish a hiearchy, or dispute one.

This. I thinks its flattering.


Someone brings you gossip when they cant offer anything substantive, but want to grow closer to you for proffesional or office alliance purposes.


My issue with gossips is that they automatically assume the recipient gives a damn. Especially extroverts . Its one dimensional thinking that assumes "because i like hear something, everyone must like it just as much!"

 

[re'up]

This. I thinks its flattering.


Someone brings you gossip when they cant offer anything substantive, but want to grow closer to you for proffesional or office alliance purposes.


My issue with gossips is that they automatically assume the recipient gives a damn. Especially extroverts . Its one dimensional thinking that assumes "because i like hear something, everyone must like it just as much!"

And when they think they can trust you. When they think you are the same. Gossip also functions to keep social norms in check.

It's a dangerous thing to do. Dangerous game to play, depending on the context and stakes. It's wise to listen to some gossip, but it's often unwise to spread it, unless it can form a strategic purpose. When I was a teenager, I did a few months in county jail for drug and weapons violations, and one of the first rules I learned doing that little time is three things: don't gamble, don't do drugs, and don't get involved in the politics. That's the gossip part.

Everyone knows I am not a gossip, which means I don't spread gossip, but people trust me with their secrets and their gossip, so I have the information I want, without having to reveal too much of my own, or discrediting my reputation.

 

[MikelArteta]

if you work with women its unavoidable
I remember past exes I knew like everyone they worked with and their names etc.

 

[JamesJabdi]

The office setting is one of the most boring enviroments on the planet so people naturally gotta make up some drama to not kill theyself.

i sit next to the most miserable CAC ever. dude pushing 50 and all he do is complain. Like all that negativity is draining........some people get their strength through talking shyt on some voldemort shyt

 

[Tetris v2.0]

In my experience, the key to this is being perceived as someone who will listen but not speak

People can vent and tell you things. You can chuckle along but never directly validate what they are saying. Plausible deniability through politeness is a great tactic. The key is to never repeat what you hear, so you get all of the information and you're never linked to actual gossip

 

[King Poetic]

In retail and fast food industry definitely no

Same for a lot of collections and service industries

Hell about 90% of job people gossip

But i mind my own business when I work in office

Clocked in clocked out, once i hear someone start talking about others I just say i got to go

 

[The Pledge]

Even working remotely people still gossip...
Work is like high school again for a lot of people

Facts.

Man, these Slack and Teams chat rooms are BUSSIN with gossip.

People gonna talk shyt no matter where the fukk they are.

 

[Diunx]

Used to make the hours go by faster when I worked at an office

 

[I'm Blackman]

Gossip is unavoidable. You as an individual can avoid participating in it though.

.this