Gossip has to be our biggest addiction in the teen world. It doesn’t always have to be malicious – to a certain extent – but it seems that we cannot go on without talking and reflecting on the events that we know have occurred. We bitch, we inform, and we fish for more to pass on. Parties, sleep-overs, or anything with a large amount of your close friends is the best place to do the deed, but it’s a fix we indulge on pretty much on a daily basis. How much is too much? Some say we should stop as soon as we open our mouths, but I have a slightly different view… 

I gossip. I’ll raise my hand up and admit it. If I’ve found out something that either shocks, angers or just amuses me, I pass it on to a friend, although this depends on the level of secrecy behind the gossip. You can’t help it really, can you? After all, how can you deny your inner circle, the ones who you share everything with? If you can tell them about your dark family history, then what the hell is it so wrong to talk about who fancied who three years ago? 

But of course, like all things, it can become deadly. Knowledge is always a powerful thing, no matter what the subject, and how you use it and what you let out is absolutely vital. After all, a bit of gossip, even with the kindest intentions, can turn sour on someone. I, for one, personally experienced it when I was questioned on a matter that was quite personal to me. While it should really be a celebrated matter, I hadn’t expected so many to question me at once, and I couldn’t even look anyone in the eye. As one of them had actually said:

Obviously, I have no bitter feelings towards the people who did it, but it just goes to show how if you tell the wrong person something personal to you, it can result in such a thing. And though the incident is over and done with, I can still feel the blood rushing to my cheeks and the anger when someone had said, “So-and-so was right,” when I thought that so-and-so really should have said no such thing. But onto my next point – this is a blog, not therapy. 

Also, some people lack the correct politics to handle gossip. These are the ones who tell the wrong people – even maybe the person actually involved. We feel guilty about being angry at these people, since being so innocent as to not understand how to be sneaky and – let’s be honest – a bit of a bitch should be something to congratulate a person for. Still, it goes against the unspoken code that when it comes to the subject of the gossip, you pretend to know nothing until informed. After all, I pretty much think I would be screwed now if some people knew the amount of information I actually knew – you see, I do have a capacity for knowledge – I just decided not to use it for Chemistry until the last minute. 

I know, I know, this seems to be far less light-hearted than the other blogs you’re used to here, but it’s been on my mind a lot recently. In fact, ever since an event that can still be considered fresh, it’s been almost the only thing on my mind. Listening to David Cook, I’m even pausing now, just to figure out exactly how to fit everything on my mind in a diplomatic and interesting way in a blog. To be honest, I’m pretty sure I could write a book on the matter of teen life and its politics if I were asked. Perhaps it was my background, but the sensitivity to this is enormous. Also, it could be that I’m constantly on damage control. 

I’m not banning you from gossip. After all, I just admitted that I was a fanatic. But I do warn you of this, young ones: Gossip hurts. If you don’t play your cards right, the repercussions are painful to endure. And you’ll be surprised at how much can actually go wrong with one foul move. However, gossip and bitching can actually be a healthy release of what’s troubling you. The important thing is just to not screw up. No pressure. 

Aim For Next Week: OK, this one is more complicated than it sounds: be honest. If someone’s actions have been bothering you, and it personally involves you, then tell them. I know that sometimes you think you can sweep it under the carpet, but it can actually be the best solution at times. And I don’t mean be honest about someone else - I’ll personally hunt you down if you’ve been abusing my advice.

Keep playing the good game, people. x