HOT SPOTS: The corridors and the canteens are the ideal places to catch up on office gossip

Here?s calling all gossip mongers to do a chatter check in the colourful corners at your workplace. For if you are not entwined with the grapevine, you are likely to be dropped off the radar and into the dark oblivion of solitary confinement. So, let?s chat...

Wash words

You sneaked umpteenth trips to the loo as a kid to bunk classes or to bully that sissy. Nature?s call is not the only reason why this room beckons now, either. The washroom is still the best place to catch up on the latest in office and beyond as reflexes are relaxed and scandals come tumbling out.

so a good place to indulge in some same-sex bonding, which makes it just the place to exchange notes on that cute guy in office or catch the latest update on who?s dating whom. Just make sure you don?t let out too many of those loo secrets and get left out of the loop.

Talking points?

• A to B: ?Heard, C is seeing D?s boyfriend??

• B to A: ?And E dumped F to two-time with G and H, howzzat?!?

Corridor cram

If you haven?t found much use of the office corridors beyond entry and exit points, you haven?t exploited its immense potential yet. It is just the place to make eye contact with the dashing intern away from the strict gaze of the boss. So, the next time you pass them by, don?t pretend like you haven?t noticed.

Hanging out in the corridors on your way in or out of work is also a good way to eavesdrop on inter-departmental banter, without being accused of stretching the lunch hour too far!

Talking points?

• X to Y: ?Howdy, you new around here??

• Y to X: ?Yeah, been there and done that with Altd, Bcorp and Ctech though, how about you??

Canteen crave

If you?re blessed with an office canteen, there?s no forgiveness for missing out on the spicy nuggets doing the rounds in office and beyond, unless you choose to go tone deaf!

The college canteen was the place where time stood still between endless rounds of steaming cuppas and never-ending adda. The office cafeteria is best treated as a dynamic retreat to grab a quick bite along with an extra helping of power talk to make up for the breakfast news you missed. What makes the canteen especially delectable is that it provides for everybody ? from the hot-headed union leader to the cool observer, quietly gorging on all the gossip around.

• P to Q: ?Looks like a promotion?s due for M??

• Q to P: ?Sure is easy if you get N to do the dirty work for you and take all the credit yourself. You know what I?m talking about, don?t you??

Bar barrage

Being a regular to the neighbourhood bar is a must to appear ?with it?. Also a good place to meet industry insiders and crack a good deal or two along with jokes at the boss? expense!

And if you want to glean that secret out of the boss? pet, lead them down to the watering hole and watch the unsuspecting bloke melt and mumble.

Just keep your fingers crossed that the boss doesn?t decide to play Sherlock Holmes while you are at it!

Talking points?

• R to S: ?You sure know good book-keeping dude. What?s the secret??

• S to R: ?Drip some honey and watch the old man surrender, sweetly!?