"Gossip was something to be savoured in my Mauritian household, learned young that bad behaviour yielded widespread circulation of misdeeds, often celebrated in communal gatherings."
"As a teenager, I realized societal norms frowned upon gossip, leading me to vow for a life of minding my own business, distancing myself from the thrill."
"In my twenties, I embraced a new social circle, rediscovering the joy of gossip centered on grad school scandals and the misfortune of others, with camaraderie as a driving force."
"I learned to differentiate between types of gossip: some aim to undermine rivals, others seek to protect the reputations of the wronged, or serve as insider information."
Growing up in a Mauritian household, gossip was relished as a means of sharing misdeeds. Initially seen as enjoyable, societal views on gossip led to a teenage commitment to privacy. In college, a group of creative peers reignited the thrill of gossip, though the content shifted to academic scandals and personal dramas. The enjoyment stemmed from a sense of belonging and knowledge-sharing. Observing the nuances of gossip revealed differing motivations, some malicious, others protective, or opportunistic in nature.
Read at The Walrus
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]