Hm. There's 'brutal honesty' and then there are statements that begin with 'I'm not being funny, but' or 'No offence, but'. Those are rude, rather than honest.

I have less tolerance for people who are gits to me...

Right. It seems to me that the purpose of a deal of 'gossip' is background fact-checking and cross reference. The 'Is it just me, or.. ?' question, if you will. Mind, if you're going to ask that sort of question, you have to be comfortable with the idea that it could just be you. Otherwise best not be asking for that particular avenue of validation.