Men and Women Gossip Differently, Study Finds: Do You Gossip?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2012/05/29 21:18:00

Related Topics: Gossip, Friendship, Canada, Salary, Author, Physical, 2012, Salaries, Sad

694 votes
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	Yes	183 votes	26%
	No	198 votes	29%
	Sometimes	313 votes	45%

You won't be shocked to hear that women gossip more than men do. But you might be surprised to learn that when guys gossip, they do it a bit differently than the ladies.

Study author Dr. David C. Watson, an assistant professor of psychology at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Canada, found that women prefer to gossip about another person's physical appearance, the "Today" show reports. Sad, but true. They're also more likely than guys to partake in "social information gossip," such as who's dating whom.

So what do the dudes dish about? They are slightly more likely to trade "achievement related gossip," involving things like grades, salaries and social status.

And believe it or not, gossip can be good... for the guys, at least. Dishing the dirt was shown to have a moderately strong effect on male friendships, but turns out, it does very little for female friendships. Time to find a few new topics, ladies?

+14

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.: LiVi :. 2012/05/30 04:58:31

No

+8
Small minds talk about people.
Average minds talk about events.
Great minds talk about ideas.
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More polls by SodaHead Living

H-Dizzle 2012/05/30 23:25:28

Yes

Yet another thing you need a man to do if you want it done right!

By the way, I'm kidding ladies! Ahhh...whatever.

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Justina Jackson 2012/05/30 23:15:51

Sometimes

+1
EVERYBODY gossips in some way to say "no" is an out right lie! yes sometimes i do it but like i said to someone else these aren't things im not willing to say straight to someones face

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wes 2012/05/30 22:40:30

No

Just no.

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Elizabeth 2012/05/30 22:33:40

No

+1
Gossiping is for bitches who have no lives. >:(

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T 2012/05/30 22:31:13
Bob DiN 2012/05/30 22:29:30

No

I hate gossip.

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Omni 2012/05/30 22:29:05

No

+2
I don't need to talk about others behind their back to feel better about myself.

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Justina... to Omni 2012/05/30 23:14:37

Thats not all it is. I "gossip" but its also things i have NO problem saying to peoples faces. Everyone does it even if they "think" they dont.

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Omni to Justina... 2012/05/30 23:24:37 (edited)

+1
Oxford Dictionary -

"casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true:he became the subject of much local gossip
chiefly derogatory: a person who likes talking about other people’s private lives."

Merriam Webster -
"a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others"

Especially with Webster's definition. It's talking behind someone's back about sensitive information. And the reason you're talking behind their back is because you don't want them to know it.

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Justina... to Omni 2012/05/30 23:46:24

Didnt i JUST say i would have NO problem saying it to someones face?! did you even read what i typed? I dont care what the def. say i looked it up myself so ive already read what u posted. I dont talk about people to make myself feel better i do it because if i dont ill get pissed off and end up hurting someone who more than likely was gossiping behind my back in the 1st place the problem is they wont be man or woman enough to cop to it I will, So whatever it is i do or say its obviously not gossip according to the def. theres no in between to theses questions its either one or another so i had to pick the answer thats closest to the truth.

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Justina... to Justina... 2012/05/30 23:48:44

I realized how rude that sounded i didnt mean to come off as rude im sorry i was just stating my point.

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Bibliophilic 2012/05/30 22:25:23

No

+4
I never have and never will. I would only speak of someone else if they had done me wrong and I were asking for help, or if I were trying to solve a problem. I see no point in spreading rumors or injuring people unnecessarily. I was once offerred the opportunity to gossip about someone who had hurt me. I stopped myself and declined, it was probably the best thing to do at the time. I was around a few unstable individuals and they might have repeated what I had said back to the person in question. I do not like to think that people talk about me behind my back. I give them nothing to talk about- just in case.

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nails to Bibliop... 2012/05/30 23:50:32

I like that.

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g1rlsgotrhythm 2012/05/30 22:17:56

No

+1
I can honestly say I've never felt the need to gossip about others or bitch about other people behind their back. When other people are gossiping, I do listen, but don't take part. I feel bad for the person being gossiped about, I've had it happen to me many times before, and it can be really hurtful.

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sexii<3 2012/05/30 22:02:13 (edited)

Yes

+2
Well, in the Bible, this is called "Tale Bearing" meant to click "No." I don't injure someone's reputation.

MEANT TO CLICK NO.

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Kendra 2012/05/30 22:01:53

Yes

+2
We all do it at some point.

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Bob DiN to Kendra 2012/05/30 22:45:38

Do you tell these people to their face?

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☆stillthe12c☆ 2012/05/30 21:54:36

Sometimes

+1
I do not gossip much I do indulge in idle conversation at times. When I do I am looking for a solution or input.

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Emily 2012/05/30 21:53:40

Sometimes

+1
Sometimes becuz its hard not 2

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raschell97 2012/05/30 21:45:11

No

+1
at least I avoid it gossiping is something my mother has always associated with the drags of society and the people on welfare that really don't need it and are cheating the government

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Ben 2012/05/30 21:39:35

No

+1
I don't see the point.

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Shadow_Wolf 2012/05/30 21:04:44

Yes

+1
It's more of a sometimes thing, but I do talk about people.

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Bob DiN to Shadow_... 2012/05/30 22:46:36

Behind their back?

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midnigh... to Bob DiN 2012/05/31 00:58:30

what would be back-biting

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Bob DiN to midnigh... 2012/05/31 04:38:02

Could be.

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Shadow_... to Bob DiN 2012/06/01 02:39:18

depends, for the most part yes. If they really do something stupid or piss me off I just state all flaws about them.

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Bob DiN to Shadow_... 2012/06/01 04:59:57

Me also.

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Sunny 2012/05/30 20:54:05

Sometimes

+2
I try really hard not too, but I think everyone does. It is human nature.

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Cara Carlson 2012/05/30 20:50:41

Yes

Yep. All day long! :D

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Bob DiN to Cara Ca... 2012/05/30 22:47:02

Gossip.

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Autumn 2012/05/30 20:40:20

Yes

+1
I don't see gossip as a sin.... Not all gossip is negative. You're thinking about it wrong. Gossip is talking about other people.... OK it sounds wrong but if I'm getting "social information," it's actually quite important. I need to know who "blankity blank" is dating, and if he broke up with "blankette" and why. Gossip is how you learn social graces in some ways. You know, sloppy seconds, rebound, etc.

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Elizabeth 2012/05/30 20:15:25

No

+1
Its mean and a way to make you feel better about yourself by saying bad things about other people around you.

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midnigh... to Elizabeth 2012/05/31 01:01:18

LOL,
daughter: mom i feel like im the worst person in the world
mom: just talk bad about people it will make you feel alot superior
daughter: thanks mom your the best mom in the world! :D

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Call me Mark willya? 2012/05/30 20:03:18

Sometimes

+1
My mother was a gossip (big time) until she started to go to church and then it wasn't gossip it was the prayer circle.
My ex wife and I spent more time fighting about what "they said" and I never even knew who the hell "they" were
I do everything I can to quell gossip unless it seems harmless, I used to listen to Mom's stuff just to be polite, but I wasn't really paying attention.

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Rosemary 2012/05/30 19:57:24

Yes

+1
I know I checked NO because I don't gossip. I used to but when I was very young, my mother taught me gossip was a sin. Gossip is cruel and a total waste of time so I don't do it.

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3kidsandamom 2012/05/30 19:48:35

No

+3
There are better things to talk about than other people.

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midnigh... to 3kidsan... 2012/05/31 01:02:41

like improving yourself.

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3kidsan... to midnigh... 2012/05/31 01:06:13

I spend my days homeschooling three children as well as being active in my church and community. I'd rather talk about how to improve this country for my kids than talk about what other people are doing.

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giggity giggity 2012/05/30 19:42:44

No

+2
I rant when I'm mad, but I don't gossip.

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RyokuSonic 2012/05/30 19:40:56

No

+1
I have better things to do than gossip.
Like playing video games and saying bad stuff the mods while their asleep.

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