I live in a small town. Looking at St. Louis, most people wouldn't say so. Sure, it isn't the megalopolis that is New York City, and it isn't Chicago or L.A., either. But to be honest, by the numbers I found, the metro area has a population greater than that of Utah. And truly, driving was a wild ride for a while after moving here. I would get home exhausted from the sheer energy necessary for navigating the crowded maze of streets (not numbered on a grid and with lots of one-ways, ugh). At that time, it seemed like I was a small-town girl that had been unceremoniously plopped in the big city. I was wrong.
At least here in "Gateway City," being LDS shares many of the consequences of small town life. One of the most obvious: gossip. Gossip, chitchat, small talk, gab, tittle-tattle, chin-wagging, scuttlebutt, whatever name it goes by, people feast on it. It's like being able to have all the cheesecake you want without packing it on the hips. Sort of. Maybe it would be helpful if the more a person gossiped, the more weight he or she would gain. I know I certainly would be carrying a little more around the mid-section, which might encourage me to start a low-gossip diet.
While in reality gossips don't balloon into blimps, consequences exist. Sometimes it is true no one gets hurt. For instance, it's rather amusing to hear what the word on the street is about me and the BF. It sounds as though we're likely to run off to Vegas at any moment to get hitched at the Wee Little Temple on the Strip. I'm waiting with bated breath to hear that we've actually gone and done it. Wouldn't that be juicy? But not all gossip is this innocuous. Sometimes talk touches extremely personal, raw topics with a damaging lack of regard. People (myself included) don't necessarily mean to prod or expose emotional open wounds. Most genuinely care about those around them. With enough chatting (and it would be naive to expect that people could sew their lips shut), however, this hurt inevitably happens.
But, you know what? To me, I guess it is worth the bumps and bruises to be known, not to be just another anonymous face in a sea of humanity. So, when all is said and done, I'm not planning on moving out of my small town any time soon.
For Quinn, Who Turned Seven Today
6 years ago
6 comments:
Yay! Another update!
My comment is thus: I rather hope that I have not said anything that is hurtful to you or tactless either. Unfortunately, I realize that sometimes one can be oblivious to the hurts that are said so...accept my apology for anything said and anything that might be said. :)
*smile* Considering we've known each other since 7th grade, I'm sure we've both said things. However, I can't think of any right now, and none of it would matter anyway. :D I started this entry a few weeks ago after I heard some gossip that made me think a bit about the subject. It was totally unrelated to me, and at the moment, any bruises I've gotten due to gossip are barely detectable.
The only thing that I can think of that is worse than gossiping is tantalizing people with the fact that you know some gossip while refusing to share it :)
Oooh, it was the strength of the urge to share that caused me pause....
What!! You mean the Vegas thing isn't true?! I swear I heard it from at least four people...in fact, I am pretty sure my infallable anonymous scource (i.e. Todorojo) told me - or maybe I told four people...not quite sure.
I don't think you can call it a rumor when Chantal is looking for a new roommate and incriminating evidence is only as far away as the kitchen counter. Let's not kid ourselves.
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