of gossip and grapevine

OF GOSSIP AND GRAPEVINE

Life without gossip is bland. Gossip makes life livable. A frenzied neighbour, living across, wanted to know why the branches of the huge Mango tree in our garden remained untrimmed. I was impressed by her concern. I reassured her that once the mali comes he would do the needful. “Get it done pronto. We can’t see what is going on in your house”. We had deprived her of a lot of fodder for thought.

Gossip is like fragrance that gently wafts into your nostrils, sends a tizzy down your spine and electrocutes your senses, spinning you into action for an eager friend is just an earshot away. The grapevine gets activated and spreads to a vast geographical area. Haven’t we all heard the favourite opening lines …” Kisi ko batana nahi” and rest assured, everyone will know about it. By the time grapevine delivers gossip to its destination so much spice has been added that the actual incident has a complete makeover.

Gossip is a social leveler. The rich can sit in their plush mansions and obtain information about the neighbourhood from their maid. Gossip is an act of social service too. Some love to unburden themselves and some love to disperse that burden with the help of an ever ready grape-vine How can a person remain aloof if people choose to reveal their innermost thoughts? The person who indulges in gossip owes it as gift to society, helping people unburden themselves of their problems.

Gossip is great for all ages especially senior citizens. Imagine the long winter nights or the sizzling hot summer days! How would one spend them? Gossip acts as an elixir for the giver and receiver, entertaining and lifting up drooping spirits, filling up vacuous moments. The active mind remains fertile. The adrenalin pumped in by juicy gossip is good for the barren heart. No medication will be needed for dementia, Alzheimer and depression . Isn’t gossip is a boon for the elderly ?

If gossip is the mantra for success how can one become a good gossip? For a debutante a visit to beauty parlour, kitty party, a mehendi ceremony, ladies sangeet or maybe some saree exhibition is a must. Gossip thrives at such places. What will be the benefits of gossip? Well! You will be known in social circles. Page three will be barren without you. Your infamously famous personality, deeply entrenched in gossip, will surely receive invite for a reality show. Bravo! you have arrived.

.