It is a truth universally acknowledged that we all love to gossip.
Oh, I see you shaking your head no.
You too. There's no use in denying it.
We all do it. But it's okay.
This is a safe place where you can tell me all the juicy details
about everyone in your life.
Honestly, I don't even care if I know the person.
Gossip is just stories, and human beings are storytellers.
And if that story happens to contain some drama
and scandal and intrigue, hell, that's just a good story.
Southerners are masters of gossip.
We are discreet.
We are polite.
And we know everything.
But there is an art to Southern gossip.
So stick around and I'll tell you exactly how to do it like a Southerner.
Tip number one, check your sources.
Now, you can't go spouting off every piece of juicy gossip you hear from
just anybody.
Do you remember those signs that they used
to put in the school hallways that said before you speak think.
T. H. I N. K.
T is for true.
H is for helpful.
I is for inspiring.
N is for necessary.
Okay.
We're going to disregard the rest of this because obviously
we are making a video about how to gossip.
But I stand by the first one. T is for true.
You can't just spread lies about people.
That's the same thing as being ugly.
That being said, I cannot stress how important it is
to have a reliable source for your gossip.
Did Aunt Edna story about the hairdresser's boyfriend
being a felon in a bad wig turn out to not be true?
Well, maybe now we take all of Aunt Edna stories with a grain of salt,
and in turn make sure that you are a trustworthy source of gossip as well.
Tip number two Know the code.
There is a code to Southern gossip.
You can't just run around yelling.
Did y'all hear Jane McKenzie's getting a divorce or Trent Henry
got fired from Lowes because he got caught grilling on the displays again.
Please have some tact.
The trick to Southern gossip is you've got to give it
a little padding, soften the blow a little.
First, you have to adjust your tone.
You're not talking ill of somebody.
You're just concerned.
Basically, you've got to make it sound like your heart is just broken,
that somebody is going through whatever it is that they are going through.
Lower your voice, lean in, and then look around
to make sure you don't get caught because you never know who's listening.
Tip number three know the language.
Southerners already speaki in a language all our own.
We've got a whole slew of made up words and phrases that will confuse
people more than a junebug on a radiator.
But there are
certain phrases that are specific to Southern gossip.
If a Southerner starts a story with Y'all Know My Heart, lean in
because they are about to absolutely obliterate the character
of someone you may or may not know and remember a well-placed bless
their heart will resolve you of any moral responsibility for the hot
goss you just delivered.
Tip number four, keep it spicy.
Another important aspect of Southern gossip is,
is it worth telling?
Now, is it a very exciting story?
Or alternatively, can you just tell it really well?
No one wants to sit through a boring story.
Keep it entertaining. In conclusion.
Southern gossip is an art.
It has been done since the dawn of time, and it is the most efficient way
to get information that probably shouldn't be sent in a text or an email.
It is a front porch.
Sittin sweet tea, sip and activity.
So treat it with respect
and be careful.
Hey, it's Ryan from It's a Southern Thing.
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And click here to find my deepest, darkest secret.
I wrecked Talia's car.
She doesn't know.
Please don't tell her.
RYAN!