1. Just because I at one point worked where you went to graduate school, do not assume I have the same impression of it as you. To speak ill of people there is not a good way to initiate bonding with me, if bond you must, because these may be people I like.
2. Just because I am nice to you does not mean I dislike the same people in this department as you do. If you wish to bond with me, please do not try to do it by saying “you know, so and so is not really your friend,” and so on.
3. If you want to make friends, gossip is not the best way to do it. Yes, one of my students was arrested for indecent exposure today after class. I would still rather discuss books than quake about this incident.
I cannot emphasize enough that attempts to drag the level of discourse down and to diminish morale do you no good, even if these activities are satisfying to you in the shorter term.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 