Klaus Doring

When I made a goodwill visit a couple of days ago to visit one of my hospitalized friends here in Davao City, I met four other guys in animated happy conversation. I asked them, “What did you do here the whole day?” They responded, “Nothing, we have just talked…!” Immediately I found that they have discussed every single piece of news from their whole circle of friends and acquaitances, whether true or not. A visit of a hospitalized friend? Mmh…

“Ang salapi makapalit og mga libro apan dili makapalit sa kaalam!” Money can buy books but not intelligence. This was my first thought at tat moment. But did I forget that I too had joined such kind of sessions many times before? Gossip. tsismis, satsatsan, one chatting idly about others seem to be the nicest occupation (or better, preoccupation!) of all human beings worldwide. It had captivated me long time ago and still has. None of us can deny this… .

The verbal dynamite, which, even truthful, can damage or destroy other people. Our tongue is the most dangerous of our body while used for gossip. Meanwhile you know already, that I always love to quote the bible, even never having been a pastor or priest. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. I am sure, “American Lola” can provide us with better quotations, but she agrees.

Gossip is a very special type of human (or beneath human dignity) communication, done by millions of fellow creatures, day by day, night by night, or -with predilection- by phone or during party meetings or even so-called “secret talks under four eyes”. Here and everywhere… .

Prominent figures’ gossip items in magazines or special TV shows are mostly for “public exposure and promotion” having negative results. Hey, why do they make a great fuss on, for example, a married but pregnant actress, who is not sure who the real father is? The daily or everyday gossip is not much better. Friendly but spiteful gossip in our neighborhood, family or working place many times runs up to the terminus “suicide”.

Gossip is a form of daily communication among us aliens in this country and among our Filipino neighbors. Gossip many times becomes the reason of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Gossip seems to be fun - but the mssing sense of shame in inflicting harm through false infos is very painful.

And now think about this and answer the following questions: Have you said anything recently that you wish you could unsay?What are the most life-giving words you/ve spoekn lately?

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