Researchers have been studying gossip in recent years trying to find out why we get a kick out of talking about others, as well as our infatuation with the lives of celebrities. It turns out that we are hard wired for it. In the Stone Age, cavemen had to determine who could be trusted in the face of limited resources, so information was acquired and shared about individuals.
However, Life-Tranistions Coach, Diane Dennis, says there are some rules, red flags to watch for, and character flaws along the trail to spilling your guts.

1. AGENDA:
Why are you talking about someone? Check your motives.
Some motives: Attention Getting, Alienate Someone, Get Back or Punish Someone (Example: In interpersonal relationships, after break-up or divorce: To justify actions)

2. WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?
Can the message hurt the relationship between the one you are talking about and the one you are telling the info to? Are you giving information to help or harm relationships?

3. STICK TO THE FACTS
Stretching the truth can be harmful. If you are passing along information make sure not to embellish.

4. GOSSIP BREAKS TRUST
In the workplace or in interpersonal relationships, if you have the reputation of gossiping or passing along sensitive material, you will not be trusted.

GOSSIP TYPES

BLOVIATOR: He’s the guy who is competitive in nature. In order to make himself look better, he will gossip about others around him in an attempt to elevate his status. He is consistent and usually picks one person at a time to pick on depending on his “strategy” to appear infallible, important, and “right.”

GABBER: She is always talking dirt about someone. Don’t make the assumption that you are immune from her carefully aimed words of mass destruction. If she talks about them, she is talking about you—behind your back of course.

INTERROGATOR: He asks a million questions and fires them of in rapid succession like an automatic camera. In order to please, you may find yourself answering him, then regretting it later.

To find out more about Diane click here