Gossiping is human nature. It's not always malicious. There are only one or two people in the world with whom I ever indulge in gossip, and they are chosen because anything said goes no further than the two of us.

No. I will stop people who try to gossip to me, and I will walk away if it's being done around me. I try not to talk about people unless I have something positive to say, or it's necessary--then I make every effort to be fair, and stick to facts.

Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?

I don't judge those who gossip; I just don't participate.

Reading an interestng book where it mentions that Homosapiens may have partipated in gossip but Neanderthals most likely did not and perhaps this was one of the reasons they are not around anymore. (Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind) If conversation is interesting to me I participate, if not I don't.

Being the victim of horrendous gossip after my divorce was no walk in the park for myself or my boys. The neighborhood “ladies” started whispering, hid thier husbands, stopped inviting us to community parties.
Gossip is not a good thing, it’s rarely if ever true. Shame on those who spread malicious rumors.

I dislike gossip because a lot of the time it's not true, half-true, or exaggerated; and hurtful. But sometimes, gossip about an unpleasant person can be fun, I'll admit.

No. I don’t want any info someone would want keep private. I feel a bit icky knowing anything like that.