Gossip: Fact or Fiction?

Today's (7 Kislev) Daf Yomi:
[R. Shimon b. Yochai asks R. Yehoshua b. Levi when he gets to Gan Eden:]
Was a rainbow ever seen in your days? R. Yehoshua b. Levi said to him "Yes." "If so you are not the son of Levi." [The Gemara comments:] But that was not so -- a rainbow never was seen. But he thought "I will not boast about myself."

I am continually moved and inspired each time I listen to your videos. Thanks for being such an inspiring and resonant vessel. Thanks also to you and the Rabbi for hosting my daughter, her family and I for Shabbos meal during my recent visit to MD.

Sounds like you're doing just the right thing.When you continue to greet this person even when you are unpleasantly treated, you are maintaining dignity and contributing to Shalom in the world. You can never lose if you behave properly.

Hashem sees your pain, and also your dignified behavior, and you will get rewarded for this immensely.

Lashon HaRa is simply IMPROPER (or Evil) Speech... there's no need to limit the term 'Improper' to gossip alone. In the early 80's (or 70's?) we used to say 'constructive criticism' and 'destructive criticism' and before we knew it 'everyone' was an expert at criticizing! (expert= eh-spurting their own opinions again) and cutting up others, actually falling into the trap of self aggrandisement by putting down others. It was all an excuse to finger-point, become-an-instant-sage, attention getting, to avoid and evade one's own lack of will to self-improvement.
I rarely turn on the t.v., but for 30 seconds yesterday past noon one of the Canadian stations was showing 4 U.S. very bewildered women who were FIRED from their jobs for spreading gossip about their co-workers. The women said 'I couldn't believe that's what I got fired for'.
That's right, they were born, bred and raised with gossip. Consensus STILL doesn't make a wrong right.
Good for those employers.
But I can imagine the field day the 'media' will have with this issue, THE media themselves: oh natural/au naturel the gods and goddesses themselves at the art of Lashon HaRa.
'Convincing' not needed on this topic.
If we put ourselves in a frame of mind that EVERY SINGLE TIME we open our mouths it would be IN FRONT of The Almighty, THEN what and how would we 'say it'? would we say it?
How about this formula: If it isn't kind or necessary SHUT UP. Or think of something kind, and hopefully necessary. (when my kids where very young, we worked on this saying through tears and laughter)
I bet Bob remembers that one, & this one too: Good L.U.C.K. = Labouring Under Correct Knowledge (ie get informed - Torah is the best source)

Gossip is judgement. Even if you "SEE", something happen, you can not go into a persons mind. Only G-D, can. What appears to be obvious, may be totally innocent. Once the damage has been done; it is irreversible, and usually comes at a high price to the victim.