Gossip is Conversation Currency

As it turns out living in what is essentially a prison with the same people for months straight means people run out of things to talk about. Also they get really mad at eachother. So, the only things people ever talk about are the food they ate in Cozumel and how crazy their friends are. In the first week, two of my best friends got so mad each other that they now are not on speaking terms and last night I got so mad at my friend that I yelled "Fuck you!" and stormed off. I have yet to resolve this little fiasco, but something tells me her latina pride might be a resolution barrier.
Maybe this is all a product of so many different cultures with different social customs coming together, but I think the real culprit is that on land we can't tell just how many of our friends are truly crazy. It takes lengthy confinement for the insanity to ferment and mature.
When I first arrived I found the gossip hilarious because everyone is at least 22 and many are older, and they behave more like children than most children I've met. But now I see that there really is only one way to make friends(but not necessarily keep them): join in on the gossip and reap the wonderful rewards.