Let's talk about “talking sh*t.” According to Urban Dictionary, talking sh*t is defined as simply talking behind someone's back, also known as back stabbing. Now why do people talk negatively? More often than not it's because they're mad at that person or they just don't like that person. But what about gossip? Isn't that the same thing? No, not really. Gossiping still isn't good, and it's almost on the same level, but gossip isn't always bad talk, it may just be someone telling someone else about someone else's life. Gossip, however, often turns into something worse.
For example, let's say my friend broke up with her boyfriend because she just didn't like him anymore. Okay. So I go tell my other friend about it. Then my other friend goes and tells their friend that my friend broke up with her boyfriend because she liked someone else. Then my friends friend goes and tells their friend. This time they make it out that my friend broke up with her boyfriend because she cheated on him with so and so. See, the story changed each time someone told someone else about the break up. At this point, gossip has turned into something else. It only takes a story a couple times of being repeated before it gets completely turned around into a totally different story. That's when feelings start getting hurt.
Gossip is just talking about someone else's life. Another phrase for gossip could be “in their business.” I wouldn't say gossip is as bad as talking negatively about someone, but you still shouldn't talk about other people's business. Let's use the last example again. Gossip is really just me telling my friend that my other friend and her boyfriend broke up and then we just talk about it. Another example is talking about what someone did at work or at school. It's not necessarily bad, you're just talking about it with someone else. Gossip can be good or bad, but usually it's not a lie. It's just talking about something that happened.
Gossip often turns into backstabbing, so you really shouldn't do it, and you definitely shouldn't talk like that about someone. Gossip and talking badly about someone often start fights that can end friendships and relationships. I'm sure everyone has had a first hand experience with this. Everyone's had someone talk about them or they've talked about someone themselves. Either way, it's not okay. If you ever have a problem with someone, you should just talk about it with that person. Don't just dwell on it and talk about it to everyone. That person will eventually find out and it will more than likely backfire on you. Gossip and backstabbing talk are top reasons that friendships end.
If someone is your friend, should you really talk about them or tell everyone their business? If they tell you a secret it's because they trust you, not so you can go tell the whole world. Mind your own business, respect your friends and keep your mouth shut! If someone did something to make you mad, confront them. Don't just talk about them to everyone. Believe it or not, no matter who they are or what kind of person they are, when they find out you're talking about them, it will probably hurt their feelings and make them mad. That's when fights happen. Some things are meant for yourself, not everyone else.
