So growing up i was taught that to speak ill of someone who is not present is a form of cowardice and is to be detested...is that not the case?

The people I work around talk soooo much shit about each other and the fact that these are all grown men makes it even worse. The old gansta adage does go "only bitches talk shit" after all does it not?

I refuse to indulge nor engage. Whenever someone talks shit about someone to me I simply tell them to take it up with the person in question.