Among Friends

[LyndaGee]

Our Mailman is a gossip.  He has stories about everybody in the neighborhood.  My husband always says:"I wonder what he has to say about us??" !!!

[dooBdoo]

            "Tattle" has 2 meanings.   Looks like the original one was more about gossip, babble, idle talk or chatter, but in some societies it also began to be a pejorative toward anyone who discloses wrongdoing.   The original post seems to reflect both, since "spreading tales" is gossip and "tattling on others" sounds more like passing along incriminating information.   

            It's a slippery slope if we try to shame people who "see something and say something" since sometimes the attempt to silence comes from those who are hoping not to be discovered in their own bad behavior.   I think we have to be really careful about this kind of shaming, especially in teaching children to speak up about abuse, bullying, or any activity that might cause harm.   Actually, even adults need to feel unashamed to disclose egregious wrongs.   

            Gossip...  that's different, in my opinion.   I'm not a fan of it nor of the justifications for it.   But I know I'm in the minority -- just look at the popularity of rags like the National Enquirer, or the number of people we know in our daily lives who relish the chance to pass along tales about friends, family, co-workers, etc.

[chrystaltree]

I don't understand the question.   Who would an adult "tattle" too ???  

[Mz iMac]

I live in a highrise.  What do you think?

[x Hedge]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

I don't understand the question.   Who would an adult "tattle" too ???  

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co workers or bosses, building managers, neighbors, cops, etc

I grew up with a kid who tattled when her sister colored outside the lines. she's still that way.

[Peaches McPhee]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

I don't understand the question.   Who would an adult "tattle" too ???  

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Perhaps the spouse of the "tattle-ee". "I saw your wife having lunch with another man yesterday."

[sidsmom]

“Tattle”

Lord....are we in 4th grade?

Anyone who uses that word within an adult conversation,

I have to question their maturity level in the first place.

[chrystaltree]

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@x Hedge wrote:

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@chrystaltree wrote:

I don't understand the question.   Who would an adult "tattle" too ???  

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co workers or bosses, building managers, neighbors, cops, etc

I grew up with a kid who tattled when her sister colored outside the lines. she's still that way.

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       Ok,  I guess I just don't like in that type of world.  Of course, being one of 5 siblings, I'm no stranger to tattling in childhood and in the teenage years.  

[Pook]

What comes to my mind is those posters who are always so offended by the most inane things and then run to post what a host or vendor did either with mispronouncing, clothing, hair, makeup, clothing. etc.  Then they say they insist something just has to be done about the offense they have perceived!  

[Meowingkitty]

My last job was nothing but a bunch of tattle tales, gossiping busy bodies and drama queens. Every day it was something. Glad to have gotten laid off four years ago.