Chapter Three

Signs of A ‘Negative-Gossip’ Conversation

In the first chapter, we discussed the downside of participating in negative gossip and why we should avoid engaging in the vice. However, not everyone who participates in negative rumours intends to do so in the first place. Truth be told, some people find themselves involved in rumours without knowing how they got there, especially since a normal conversation could turn into negative gossip down the track. But how does that happen? What are the red flags or signals of a ‘negative-gossip conversation and how can one identify it’? At what point does a discussion cross from a normal dialogue to ‘negative gossip’? Those are the questions that this chapter addresses, so that you can diagnose negative gossip before getting dragged into it. To discuss those symptoms, we shall refer to one of my personal encounters with a negative gossipmonger; and combine that with the fictitious story of JuaLink, as well as the bible narratives of Nehemiah, David, Joseph and a man named Diotrephes