Dinner and gossip

Last week, we had some friends over for dinner (we did pot luck) and have vowed now to continue this each week, rotating the meal at different homes. We mutually agreed that Thursday evenings are the best for everyone, as they are before the weekend without really interfering with the weekend activities. Since the meal will only last an hour and half or so, it's not like an all nighter, the kids have a chance to play with other kids and us grown-ups get a chance to talk about various issues.

On paper it sounds great doesn't it? Well, it did until one of the couples (I'll call them Burt and Loni), started gossiping about another couple not present. Gossip is one of those things that makes me feel uncomfortable, yet its something that nearly everyone does at one time or another. Some think nothing of talking about what they've seen or heard and repeat the comments made by third parties. It struck me, but the same thing that most at our dinner party would consider hearsay in court was allowed at dinner.

Pondering further this, I've wondered does gossip start when we're little? Sitting at the dinner table with our families and encouraged to talk about our day? Timmy threw up at lunch at it had peas in it. Is that news or gossip. I became curious, and checked dictionary.

gos·sip (gsp) n.

1. Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
2. A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.
3. Trivial, chatty talk or writing.
4. A close friend or companion.
5. Chiefly British. A godparent.

intr.v. gos·siped, gos·sip·ing, gos·sips

To engage in or spread gossip.

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[Middle English godsib, gossip, godparent, from Old English godsibb : god, god; see god + sibb, kinsman; see s(w)e- in Indo-European Roots.]

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gossip·er n.
gossip·ry n.
gossip·y adj.

Synonyms: gossip, blab, tattle
These verbs mean to engage in or communicate idle, indiscreet talk: gossiping about the neighbors; can't keep a secrethe always blabs; is disliked for tattling on mischief-makers.

gossip

n 1: light informal conversation for social occasions [syn: chitchat, small talk, gab, gabfest, tittle-tattle, chin-wag, chin-wagging, causerie] 2: a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people; "the divorce caused much gossip" [syn: comment, scuttlebutt] 3: a person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others [syn: gossiper, gossipmonger, rumormonger, rumourmonger, newsmonger] v 1: wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies; "She won't dish the dirt" [syn: dish the dirt] 2: talk socially without exchanging too much information; "the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze" [syn: chew the fat, shoot the breeze, chat, confabulate, confab, chitchat, chatter, chaffer, natter, jaw, claver, visit]

Did this clear things up? Not really. Chewing the fat, shooting the breeze, chatting and the others don't sound bad. So it seems that gossip is an accepted conversation, but then why does it make me uncomfortable and why is it that I can't seem to not want to hear it.

I wanted to hear about the other couple at dinner--it made me uncomfortable but I didn't speak up and say anything, in fact quite the contrary I hung on every word and laughed with everyone else. What does that say about me? I wish I could be of the moral fiber that could just direct the conversation into a different direction but I can't.

Maybe it's just human nature?