Gossip

Guys fight when they have a problem with another guy. Girls Gossip. Ok... so everyone gossips. But girls... and especially girls in groups NOW that is a problem.

Ofcourse I work in a mall.. which is the equilavent to being in highschool for the rest of my life, so I pretty much get a front row seat to the worst gossip around. I try to stay out of it for the simple fact that, gossip never did a good thing for anyone, but occasionally I can be caught saying my peice.. or being the topic. I REALLY try to avoid being the topic. For example when I have met a new guy and they tell me they know one of my staff, or someone in the mall...I dont ask about them. I'd rather go on the date and decide for myself. Nothing good is ever said when people gossip... things get misconstrued and the new guy goes from "nice guy" to "nice guy who slept with my friend's, sister's cousin when he was suppose to be dating my sister's, boyfriend's mother"... or whatever. You get it.

I always thought that as I got older I would be less interesting to people around me... apparently not so. I was 19 when I started managing and I got attacked for being young and successful. Tough run when 30 year olds work for you. I still assumed that by 27 (my current age) no one would care anymore. So when I hear something about me I am still surprised. Why bother talking about me.. I dont go out, I have never slept with anyone's boyfriend, I dont even know yours, and most of my friends dont even live in town anymore. I am not extrodinarily pretty and I dont have a smokin hot body.. so you cant hate me on that alone. What else is there? I am not even funny.

Nevertheless... I still get talked about. I walk into another store in the mall and a girl I have never seen in my life will say, "Hey Jenn... did you go to Vernon this weekend? my friend's brother's cousin said he saw you at the movies sunday!" OK.... and you are?

One of my staff told me the other day that her friend saw me at the grocery store and proceeded to tell her what type of the food I was buying...."she makes very healthy choices" she told my employee. I asked who it was and she said "oh you dont know her..." Excellent. Amusing in a sense... but kinda creepy all the same.
Luckily, I have no megadrama's in my life or it would be national news I think sometimes. Part of me wants to get in one of those really disfunctional relationships where we fight and break up every second day... and maybe I can beat the guy or just be totally manipulating (note: I AM NOT LIKE THAT). Atleast it would make things interesting.

I guess the bigger question is why bother? Why do we have to hold on to others troubles in order to let ours go. If we are miserable nothing makes a feel better like listening to a story about someone who is more miserable than us. Some people go as far as making others miserable just so they can feel better.... but thats a whole other topic. I mean I am definatly guilty of spread "the word" from time to time but experience had taught me to think twice before opening my mouth... and hey its gonna get around anyway... all the better if it cant be traced back to you.

Alot of people will tell something to get back at someone else. Gossip as revenge. There is probably nothing more violent. Guys are criticized for fighting to solve problems... I think they may be on to something. I have watched gossip elliminate opportunity, create a bad reputation for someone and destroy confidence. And I have had it done to me. I know that I am strong enough to handle what people dish out.. I know who I am. I know what I am about and I know how far I can be pushed.. and its pretty damn far. But what about the ones who cant. I have watched girls cry and disappear at the cost of others... I have watched alot. Next time you have a problem with someone I seriously recomend a good old fashion fist fight.. really I do.