Script:
Hi everyone, welcome back. It is a very cold day today! Minus 20 degrees!
Today I want to talk about gossips - why most people like to gossip.
When we hear the word "gossip", we tend to think about rumours or a juicy secret.
(Juicy means scandalous or appealing). An example of a juicy secret is if you find out your boss is sleeping with his secretary. But gossips can be defined as talking about somebody who is not present. We all gossip at some point.
Gossips can be positive. You are telling your co-workers that your son has been admitted to a university. That’s positive. Gossips can also be neutral – neither positive nor negative. You are merely sharing information with another person. For example, you are telling your friends that your cousin is getting married next weekend, or that your co-worker got a promotion.
Why do we gossip? Humans are social creatures. Gossip helps us bond with each other, regardless of whether the conversation is positive or negative. Generally speaking, most gossips are negative.
Many people who are insecure about themselves find temporary relief in judging others, and knowing something that others don't can make you feel important. Talking about something bad about another person also makes you feel superior.
Some people are sadistic. They enjoy knowing that somebody is experiencing pain or misfortune, delighted it is not happening to them.
Sometimes, we are simply bored or can't think of anything to talk about. Talking about other people can be exciting, especially if it is a juicy gossip. Also, it makes you the center of attention.
However, it is not good to gossip negatively because people will mistrust you. It is better not to gossip about other people.
If you are caught in the midst of a gossiping conversation, and feel like you are drowning in negativity, you can redirect the conversation by saying something positive about the person. Or you can simply leave the conversation.
Have you gossiped? Have you been the target of a hurtful gossip?
Thank you for listening.
Vocabulary
Juicy - a fruit that has is full of juice.
A juicy secret or gossip means that it is interestingly scandalous.
Sadistic – you feel happy when you see another person suffer.
midst - in the middle of