Are you a Gossip?

Are you a starring member of the grapevine? Take this quiz to find out

Socrates famously said, 
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and weak minds discuss 
people.” But you’ve got to 
admit: sometimes, knowing classified information and being able to tell the 
less-informed about it can give you an unparalleled high.

And while doing it sometimes is completely okay, overdoing it (like anything else) can be pretty hazardous, not only 
to your reputation, but also the person gossiped about (in case that certain someone gets to know). Find out how obsessed you are with knowing it all.

1. What is your favourite thing to do on a weekend evening?

a. Head to the nearest club and dance the night away.

b. Sit back and watch a bunch of fun movies with loads of popcorn, and discuss the latest celebrity scandal.

c. Exchange notes on people you know — and educate your friends about their dirty secrets.

2. What are your favourite magazines?

a. Time, Readers’ Digest, Fortune etc.

b. Mags with a mix of fashion, lifestyle, celebrities.

c. The rags and tabloids, which thrive on salacious gossip.

3. What do you do when you find out something you are not supposed to know about an acquaintance?

a. Keep it to yourself, and forget all about it.

b. Vow your closest friends to secrecy and tell them.

c. Tell anyone who is a willing audience and ask them not to tell anyone.

4. You are caught in the middle of a nasty couple fight, you:

a. Tell them to sort it out and step out of the scene.

b. Counsel them, and then call your best friend and crib to her about it.

c. Conference in a couple of friends so they can listen in silently, or relay blow-by-blow details on your blog.

5. How involved are you in the gossip at your workplace?

a. Not at all. What gossip?

b. You like to sneak in a few tid-bits during your coffee break.

c. Involved? You are the queen bee that provides all the fodder.

RUMOUR HAS IT...

Mostly As – You like to avoid snooping into people’s lives, mostly either due to lack of interest or respect for their priv-acy. You prefer having fun in other ways, and are blissfully unaware of what goes on with people around you. While it is okay to stay out, it might be necessary, at times, to stay a wee bit clued in.

Mostly Bs – You enjoy your fair share of gossip, but you prefer to maintain a 
balance and not overdo it. You know 
exactly what is going on, but prefer not to spread it like wildfire.

Mostly Cs – Are you sure Gossip Girl was not inspired by you? You treat gossiping not only as a pastime but as an obsession that literally rules your life, and how you react to situations. If you don’t tone it down, you may get a reputation or ruin relationships, which is irreversible.

aarti@khaleejtimes.com