It is estimated that people spend fifty-two minutes a day talking about someone who is not present. In other words, people spend almost an hour every day engaged in gossip. Of those gossip-filled conversations:

* 10% are positive or flattering* 75% are neutral* 15% are negative.

Most of the time people do not hear what is being said about them. But what if they did?

It is estimated that people spend fifty-two minutes a day talking about someone who is not present.”

After a business lunch, Mattie and another woman went to the women’s restroom to refresh their makeup. As they chatted, their small talk turned to gossip about a mutual coworker, Brie. Their conversation was definitely negative. For a full two minutes, Mattie lambasted her coworker. Glancing into the mirror, they watched in horror as Brie walked out of a bathroom stall.

Brie never came back to work. She resigned, and Mattie never saw Brie again. Words matter.