The Gossip Girl's Guide
08/03/08 5:00 PM
How to talk trash without looking like a mean girl.
We're all guilty of spreading hot goss. When we've got a juicy (and oh-so-scandalous!) story, we're itching to pass it along. But did you know research shows that sharing a wicked story or two with a friend or coworker really does bring you closer? (See -- even scientists say you should do it.) It goes without saying that no one likes the mean girl with the nasty yapper, so here's our guide to dishing dirt without trashing your rep.
Be choosey. At the office, don't dish with your boss, your BFF in sales and the pack of hungry gossip hounds who hang by the snack machine. If you do, you'll officially earn the title of office gossip, and you'll be shunned from the smack-talking circuit. No one will tell you anything -- and you'll be forced to go cold turkey. Oh, the horror! If you divulge the news to only one uber-close pal (okay, or two good friends), they'll feel more comfy sharing classified info with you as well.
Realize that hot goss spreads like disease. When you share that steamy tidbit, know that the rumor will get more and more evil as people pass it on. So don't be the one who first told the cruel version of the story. Don't say, "I think Liz needs to go to rehab before she becomes the next Amy Winehouse." Try a sweeter, bland version, like "Wow, Liz sure has been partying hard lately."
Add a good spin. If you're at dinner gabbing to your girls about how lame another friend is for not dumping her no-good boyfriend, they'll think you're being catty. But if you toss in some concern for her -- perhaps that he's treating her poorly and her self-esteem has taken a big hit -- then you'll seem less harsh.
Keep it factual. You can tell people that your frenemy got fired, but don't add in your two cents about why she got the boot. Sure, she was always late and couldn't meet a deadline to save her life. But if you launch into a million mean conspiracy theories, it will just look like you're vicious enough to kick her when she's down.
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Hi,
I just want to comment about what Cherry stated. I am skinny also but I do not agree with what you are saying. I know a few bigger women and they are very pretty.It does not matter if you are the skinniest person or the biggiest person in the world, what matters is the inside. You don't judge a person just from the outside, you get to know them. That is just how I've been raised.
If there was a skinny goregous snotty girl at the front of a room and a bigger nice girl at the other end or a room i would walk over to the bigger girl. I'd rather enjoy my time with the person I'm with then to care about the appearance.
-Liisa , 16
I love your show Tyra
If you're skinny with a nice butt than thats ok, but if you are just fat in general thats not ok. Fat=Ugly. A fat woman is an ugly one. If I were a man I would NEVER have sex or even look at a bigger woman because it is absolutly disguisting. Women who go out of their way to be fat are very stupid. C'MON PEOPLE FLUBBER IS GROSS!! YOU'RE NEVER GUNNA SEE A FAT PERSON IN PLAYBOY/HUSTLER/PENTHOUSE!! Why? BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO LOOK AT THAT CRAP!!
Well, thats all!
Love the show Tyra!
-Cherry
p.s. remember,
skinny is beautiful
Hey Tyra!
I really love to hear gossip, But I know its wrong to spread it on people some of these females need their secrets to be let out of the closet. I recently exposed a female who like sleeping around with married men and she all in the church doing it. so I put it out there she slept with my hubby and I exposed her. It felt sooooo good to do that.
Hey Tyra,
I think many females do like to gossip and cause drama, however I do not. I feel it makes the female look ridiculous and no to mention, a drama queen. I do talk to my closest girlfriends about issues and sometimes other peoples issues, but I never give out too much information! You never know who you can trust these days!
Love the show!! Keep up the good work!
Nicole Marie
hey i think that girls just like talking bad about each other not thinking what the other will feel or how they will react to such "talk".but the thing about gossip is that we never know if it's true or not and how do we know if it is true and where and when do we draw the line to gossip that is not true that's why it is always a good idea to just stay away from gossip and small talks
gossiping is just something that has always been part of us as human beings but it shouldn't be about hurting other people's feelings, if you think about it carefully ask yourself how it would feel if someone is saying bad stuff about you then you will know what to do when your friends start gossiping
I have to agree with Amber...i like to mind my own business and expect the same from others thats part of the reason why i dont tell people anything important...not even my best friends...u would b suprised how much a so called friend will spill as soon as they get mad at u...think about it!!
Hey Girlie! Well i honestly dont have intestesrt in what your tlaking about in this article but i needed to tlak to someone that could help me and you say your read emails and stuff so here goes...im brisa and i live in kansas and i just wrote a letter to someone that i would love for you to get to personally. its very complicated but its just a letter and i promise nothing inappropirate or surprising. Your a great woman and i hope you will help me get this letter to this person. please if your interested my email is rockinsk8erchick@hotmail.com keep up the good work and if i dont hear from you then its ok i understand your busy with saving kids in africa or something. haha.
yeah girls have a bad habit of gossiping but atleast now it has a new version.
Y'know guys like to do that to not to the extent of being a gossip guy, but i think discretion is the key. don't share info that is told to you that it is a secret.
Is it really that hard for people to just mind their own damn business????? Worry about yourself!
hey tyra....what i think is that girls just like the habit of talking about eachother...even at the age of 18 i can see that...its just a natural habit...stacy
This is great. I'm the office gossip for sure :)