The Nose that Knows

     There are few things I find more irksome than an unrelenting gossip, especially in the workplace. To some degree we are all guilty of it, but you know the people I'm referring to. Not a detail of a co worker's life slips by them, whether it is from the co worker's own mouth or hearsay. Either way it will be spread around before lunch.

     I work in an office mostly populated by women and unfortunately they live up to the stereotype of being busybodies. I have always been of the impression that a person should always keep their nose on their side of the fence. There are two women in particular in my office who come to mind as those who don't mind their own business.

      The first woman is close to sixty years of age and works as the administrative assistant. She is often buzzing around the sales department gossiping, taking multiple smoke breaks, and taking at least five coffee breaks before noon. The interesting part is that she always says that she never has time to finish her reports. In fact, some of her jobs have been shifted to me because she is "busy".

      The second lady in question is in her early thirties and is a new mother. Her eyes are always shifting from side to side or peeking around corners to make sure the manager isn't coming. She is always whispering, especially when our boss is at lunch. Her whispers are distinct from everyone else in the building. Every word with an "S" sound hisses and even in hushed tones are still heard. She also is not someone you tell something in confidence to. I have witnessed someone tell her something in private only to have her whisper it later. I am of the firm belief that if you are told something in confidence you are to respect that and not blab to anyone who will listen. She often stops by my desk attempting to pump me for information both personal and professional with the phrase, "What's new?" My response is always the same, "Nothing much." I refuse to be the fuel of the "water cooler clique" as I've taken to calling them.

  

     I suppose if there is a lesson to take out of this it is that we all have affairs we need to get in order. Before whispering about some one's life or faults you should improve upon your own weaknesses. Or as my mother would say, "When I'm cooking, keep your hands out of my pot."