Gossiping while the person is there

[RedDuke50]

Is something still considered gossip if the person you are talking about is right there or somewhere they are probably hearing you? Like if you are at a table and someone starts talking bad about someone who is sitting a little farther away but most likely still in the conversation.

 

[CountrySteve]

yesh, that is still gossiping, we should never speak ill of any person. God bless

 

[jpjd]

From dictionary.com:

gossip - idle talk or rumor, especially bout the personal or private affairs of others.

Idle talk is idle talk, whether the subject of the gossip hears it or not. In fact, I would say the gossip is all the more malicious when done within earshot of the subject. The lack of respect is appalling and extremely hurtful.

Instead of trying to justify the gossip, it would be better to remove yourself from participating in or perpetuating it.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Is something still considered gossip if the person you are talking about is right there or somewhere they are probably hearing you? Like if you are at a table and someone starts talking bad about someone who is sitting a little farther away but most likely still in the conversation.

That is detraction, I think, not gossip. But probably a shade worse since the person doesn’t seem to care whether the person he or she is discussing even hears. If I heard that sort of thing, I would say something positive about that person, interrupting the one being insulting. Or quietly tell the person, “If you have a problem with X, she is sitting right over there, why don’t you go and talk to her about it, instead of slinging insults within her hearing range?”

 

[ZoeyBdo]

That is detraction, I think, not gossip. But probably a shade worse since the person doesn’t seem to care whether the person he or she is discussing even hears. If I heard that sort of thing, I would say something positive about that person, interrupting the one being insulting. Or quietly tell the person, "If you have a problem with X, she is sitting right over there, why don’t you go and talk to her about it, instead of slinging insults within her hearing range?"

 

[IamACatholicx]

hi there

yes thats absolutely gossiping we have all made that mistake though,think how horrible the other person must feel!!sometimes its not easy but with god and prayers you can do anything try these prayers

“O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.”

 

[RedDuke50]

Thank you for your responses. I am asking because it happened to me recently. But I don’t think I committed a mortal sin because I think I tried not to listen and I am not sure I knew it would still be a mortal sin.

 

[Bezant]

Is something still considered gossip if the person you are talking about is right there or somewhere they are probably hearing you? Like if you are at a table and someone starts talking bad about someone who is sitting a little farther away but most likely still in the conversation.

You change the subject, however abrupt as necessary. It’s wrong to cause people unnecessary embarrassment.

 

[mdgspencer]

Negative gossip is bad, but this situation would add another sin, a sin in violation of the person’s dignity who is the target. Love is the most important virtue, and this situation involves something that is quite the opposite. I would not say that someone simply sitting at the table is guilty of sin though. Someone simply sitting there can be a victim too, an attempt being made to draw him into the person’s malace. I was involved at such a situation at work myself, and stayed away from such gatherings involving the same people after that.