You’re standing around the water cooler, and everyone’s talking about the Mel Gibson audiotapes that have been broadcast on TV.

(You don’t watch TV. You didn’t hear any of the tapes. You could care less).

At lunch someone asks, “So what do you think about Snookie on Jersey Shore?”

Who?  

Then, a questionnaire is passed among the staff asking what is dubbed the question of the week:  Who should be the next Judge on American Idol now that Ellen has left?

Ellen?  Ellen who? American Idol?  Never watched it. Why bother me with this trivia?

What are you guys crazy?  Get back to work! Stop wasting my time!

Most offices in businesses across America thrive on cultural gossip. For whatever reason – it relieves tension, it inspires laughter, even brings employees from different departments together for a common interest. Whether it’s a discussion of why a particular football player defected to another team – or should this celebrity dump husband #4 – gossip in the workplace thrives.

How do you feel about that?   Ever feel like a cultural idiot?  When people talk about these TV shows, do you feel included?  Left out? Alienated? Superior? Inferior?

Does it waste our time at work, lowering productivity, or does it build teams and keep the atmosphere light and friendly during these challenging times?

Tune in this week to Dr. Brian and Dr. Gary’s insultant/consultant show, Sunday August 1, 2010, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consultantinsultant to learn some surprising insights from two different points of view. Call in and share your opinion. You never know what one of them might say.