Yes, if you are not able or willing to purchase pay TV in South Africa the highlight of your relaxing TV evening will be the 1980s soap re-run for the 285th time. I'm not a big fans of series (I truly believe they shorten your life time) and I hate chick flick, which in combination should make me immune to the Bold and the Beautiful and its more recent grandchildren. On a Wednesday evening after a though day at work, I have to admit with shame, it does not! But why? Why against better knowledge do I submit myself to some far fetched story about the intrigues in a family of fashion producers? Thinking about this shameful fact I had to search the dark side of human existence: the craving for drama! Human being love drama! The 285th re-run of some old and dusty soap is surely evidence of this.
The love of drama seems to be a very close cousin of our craving for gossip. This is what I discovered on the dark side. I don't like sharing intimate details of my (love) life with extended family members as I can be sure that these will be used for family gossip. How do I know? Let's listen to a telephone conservation between myself and my mother:
Me: So everything ok with you and dad? (Slightly distracted and busy with something else.)
Mum: Yes, we are fine? How are you doing? (Trying to keep the conversation going.)
Me: I'm good... listen I have some things to do if there's nothing urgent, then... (Trying to end the conversation.)
Mum: Yes, sure... I phoned your grandma though. Do you want to here the latest gossip? (Using a fool proof means of attracting attention.)
Me: Sure! (100% awake!)
Yes, we all love gossip. And the juicier the better! That's why I sometimes think we should be thankful for people who take it on them to ridicule themselves in (quasi) public, cause awkward situations at dinner parties, always ask the wrong questions, and are sloppy in covering up their affairs.
You think you're different than me? You're not a gossip? Maybe... but honestly, have you not told your best friend, work colleague or even mother, that the new guy fell pray to the psycho chick? That there is definitely something going on between Harry and Salley judging by the tension in the room every time they meet? That you suspect your boss having an affair with his secretary?
Typically, we are as thankful for the objects of gossip as for the re-run of the Bold and the Beautiful, because deep down they (and drama) annoys us. So we talk about them but usually choose to stay far away from them. And that's what I gonna do now. I will stay away from trouble making fashion designers and any kind of gossip... at least for a day!
