4 things you didn’t know about gossip:

• Office gossip is 70-90% factually correct.

• “Gossipers feel more supported and positive gossip — praising somebody — may lead to a short-term boost in gossipers’ self-esteem.” And positive gossip is a good idea because what you say about others becomes associated with you.

• Gossip does serve a positive purpose: It helps police bad behavior in a social network and relieves stress. Gossip makes us less selfish; “The threat of gossip can increase fairness and hold selfishness in check.”

• The enemy of your enemy is your friend. Sharing negative feelings about a third party can increase closeness between two people.

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