'A little bit of gossip does me good'

• I have it on good authority...

By Babbler

I know I'm not the only one around who thrives on a bit of gossip once in a while. All the reunions I go for these days seem to consist of food and gossip and Monday mornings at work start with a juicy tit-bit (some days juicier than others). Even if I accidentally bump into someone, I walk away an enlightened person. 

Typing in the word 'gossip' on a search site the other day I came up with pages and pages of categories, websites and news stories on the subject and although I found Ambrose Bierce, who rather harshly, calls gossiping 'committing an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose' (The Devil's Dictionary), I was awed at the magnitude of this phenomenon. 

I try to tell people who've accused me of being a horrible gossip that I'm not being malicious. As far as I'm concerned it's just news and I'm filling them in. They don't complain when I entertain them with my little anecdotes, so why the big fuss? What I've found out is that not only is gossiping a great leisure pastime that makes life heaps more interesting but also that most of the subjects of gossip like the attention anyway. That's why they do what they do - so that they can be the talk of the town. Take all the movie stars, for example.

"I'm scared of gossips," says Maria. Why? "People who gossip with you will gossip about you." (I think she read that "Quotable Quote" in the Reader's Digest). "I try to avoid situations where people are gossiping, although I do find some conversations rather interesting. But I'm not perfect, I do gossip...once in a blue moon," she says. 

In agreement, a colleague tells me that she's very careful about what she says and to whom she says it to. "You never know what will be repeated and it's not very nice to be involved in gossiping. If they talk about others, who knows what they will say about me."

In support of gossip though, a friend assures me, "Those who say they don't gossip are lying. Every one gossips at some point."

"I don't really gossip though," she adds. "It's more an exchange of interesting ideas which sometimes changes your perspectives, more often of a person. I don't think it's the best of things to do, however, I find it interesting and rather stimulating."

On the subject of whether women gossip more than men, or if men gossip at all, she says, "Guys gossip though they deny it, sometimes even more than women. Listen to them discuss a woman, if that's not gossiping, what is?"

Many people (men!) presume that gossip is an integral part of a woman's nature, thus women are implicated as the vehicle of gossip. Although it is an (almost) accepted fact that women do gossip more than men in groups of one sex, it's not a whole lot more. Gossip is in fact, as I've found out, a 'human' trait, not specifically a female one. So what's with the stereotypes? 

One particularly chauvinist friend of mine coolly informed me that 'yes' he gossiped in the sense he would carry on "intellectual conversations about other people" once in a while. But 'no' he doesn't gossip the way women do. Asked to explain, he took great pains to make me understand that if a friend of his was having an affair he would go into the aspects of the relationship rather than dwell on what she looked like, where they went out on their first date and what she tells her parents when she does go out, as a typical woman would do.

So when male friends call me up with 'have you heard the latest?' or 'where have you been living, men?', they're not gossiping. Nor is it a gossip session when my brother and his pals chat about other people, or when the guys at work discuss a recent blind date and the girl in graphic detail. 

I agree that gossiping about others when it's bordering on being catty is not the nicest thing to do, but a harmless little chat can brighten up anyone's day and spice up people's lives. It's more the attitude one takes to the whole thing and being honest about the issue. I like to gossip, so I do, it but I'm always nice (or at least I try to be). What's more, it means not only that I am very observant, but also that I'm a good listener. 

I have it on good authority...

And one kind is gossipers, and the other kind is gossipees, 

And they certainly annoy each other, 

But they certainly enjoy each other, 

Yes, they pretend to flout each other, 

But they couldn't do without each other,

Because gossipers are lost without a thrill and a shock, 

Because they like to sit in rocking chairs and gossip and rock and rock and gossip and rock, 

And if the gossipees weren't there to give them a thrill and shock, 

Their life would be rocking and no gossip, 

Which would be flat as music without people named Sacha and Yehudi and Ossip, 

While on the other hand everybody errs 

If they think the gossipees could be happy without the gossipers, 

Because you don't have to study under Freud or Adler or Cou, 

To know that it isn't any fun being a rou, 

If nobody notices that you are a rou, 

And indeed connoisseurs agree 

That even gossipers don't know anything about gossip until they have heard one gossipee gossiping about another gossipee. 

Another good thing about gossip is that it is within everybody's reach, 

And it is much more interesting than any other form of speech, 

Because suppose you eschew gossip and just say Mr. Smith is in love with his wife. 

Why, that disposes the Smiths as a topic of conversation for the rest of their life, 

But suppose you say with a smile, that poor little Mrs. Smith thinks her husband is in love with her, he must be very clever, 

Why then you can enjoyably talk about the Smiths forever. 

So a lot of people go around determined not to hear and not to see and not to speak any evil, 

And I say Pooh for them, are you a man or a mouse, are you a woman or a weevil? 

And I also say Pooh for sweetness and light, 

And if you want to get the most out of life, why the thing to do is to be a gossiper by day and gossipee by night. 

—Ogden Nash

Crusaders against drugs

By Shezna Shums

Arriving at the park at 6, the morning sun was already warm on our faces. Even at that early hour, the runners were getting ready. What struck me most was the large number of youngsters between 8-15. Many could be seen forming a large circle in the park and warming up as instructed by their teachers. Eager and impatient, they just couldn't wait for the race to begin. 

They were getting ready for the 11th SLANA 'Run against Drugs' held on Sunday, July 1, 2001, at the park opposite the Town Hall, jointly organised by The Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association (SLANA) and Colombo Plan in association with the Police Narcotics Bureau and City Traffic Police. Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil flagged off the first and second races which were six km each, precisely at 7.30 a.m. 

The annual run usually held at Galle Face was for the first time held at the Vihara Maha Devi Park this year. The categories for participants were for 10-15 years and over 15 years, both a distance of six km. The 'Fun Run' for both males and females of all ages covered a distance of three kilometres approximately. 

Four Sri Lankan cricketers, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Nuwan Soysa and Dilhara Fernando were also there to lend their support to the cause while coach Dave Whatmore looked on. 

The first race was began by the cricketers with a false start when instead of waiting for the flag to come down, they began running when a balloon was burst. The cricketers, started the run and then stepped onto the sidewalk to allow the other runners to complete the race. 

So why were they here? We asked lanky fast bowler Nuwan Soysa. "I don't take drugs!" he smiled. 

Said Russel Arnold, "I haven't taken drugs, I have a good time anyway, I need no such thing."

Coach Whatmore, a strong supporter of the anti- drugs campaign, said the four players were there to represent the entire cricket team. 

The second race which was for younger children was also started by the cricketers. The 'Fun Run' was flagged off by Dr. Sarat Shandran, Secretary General, Colombo Plan at 8.30 a.m. This run around the park seemed to have attracted a great number of joggers and fast walkers.

There were a large number of eight and nine-year-olds from NCEF Buddhist College, Angoda, who were eager to run the fastest, so much so that they could be seen pushing the cricketers aside to get a head start. 

Many students from grade 2 to12 from NCEF Buddhist College took part. Chatura Champika (10) and Thisura (10) were first timers at the race and when asked why they say no to drugs replied, "We'll get sick when we take drugs."

"Drugs are not good for us," added Gihani (10), another first-time runner. 

One of the youngest runners was from the Malaysian Association (MA) in Colombo. Two-and-half-year-old Farah Emilia, was accompanied by her mother in the 'Fun Run'. Along with 30 others from the MA, the oldest Mr. Don de Silva (62) ,they could be seen jogging around the park. Many of them have been in Colombo for a few years now and this was the first time that took part in the SLANA run. They thought it a good idea to lend their support for such a cause. 

Three sisters who took part in this race for the first time Samantha Niroshini (15), Geethangali Vithanage (12), and Sudharma Dilrukshi, (13) said "Jeevithaya vinasha vey" (It destroys lives) when asked why they say no to drugs.

Chamika Asangi (13), of Allbumulla Maha Vidyalaya, Bandaragama, was yet another first-timer who said he had came to Colombo especially for this event. 

An enthusiastic group of runners relaxing on the grass before the race were Anil (31), Ravi (25), Vimaladas (39), and Indika (19) who had come from the Power House Rehabilitation Centre (for drugs) at Bandaragama. It was also their debut run.

R.D. Jayasingha (46), with his sons Rangana (17) and Sumira (13) have participated in the SLANA run from the time it was initiated in 1990. Also with them was Suren de Silva (16), a keen supporter of the anti drugs campaign who spoke out strongly. "We can save our money. Generations to come will suffer if we take drugs," he said.

Mohamed (20), along with his six friends, took part in the run, making this their sixth time. Asked why they say no to drugs, they said "We are not interested." 

Mr Koushki (42) from Iran, commented that there was a mix of nationals. This gave him a proud feeling, he said, to know that so many people of different ages and backgrounds could come together to help this worthy cause.

The 'Run against Drugs' also saw participation of people from different parts of the world who are in Colombo either for a holiday or working here. Landon Schmitt (20), from America, presently a summer intern in the U.S. Embassy is a keen runner. "Drugs have a negative impact on my life and there are lots of positive things I can do. If many of the adults and most of the children were aware of the damage drugs could do, they sure wouldn't take drugs," he said. 

Mrs. Greet (37), from Holland, presently in Sri Lanka is not a regular runner, yet, participated in the race. Drugs are obviously not good, there's more to life than drugs, she said. The Prefects Guild of D.S. Senanayake College and Prefects' of Alethea International School were called to help in the event, assisting with numbering the participants and manning points along the route to direct the runners.

Although it had to be said that the cause and the number of runners that turned up were great, many people were dissatisfied with certain organisational aspects. At the end of the race, no officials could be seen and participants could be seen walking up and down looking for an official. Another complaint was the distribution of drink tokens which were thrown in the air by the officials for the children to catch, instead of being distributed in an orderly manner.

But all in all, it was a noteworthy effort by the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association which is a non-profit NGO. Bringing together people of all ages, it showed the potential for strong action if the cause was worthwhile as indeed this was. SLANA focuses on primary prevention, providing awareness, information and knowledge to show young persons that drugs is not the solution for their problems. 

The truth:

Presently in Sri Lanka there are more than 40,000 heroin users, many of them in the coastal stretch between Negombo and Hikkaduwa. Heroin is the most expensive yet the most common and widely used drug in the country. Drugs that are brought in from Pakistan, India and Taiwan are also supplied to users who are scattered in different parts of the island.

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