Mediator,
It seems like your workgroup needs some diversity training. The environment of the place at which I work is friendly at times and hostile at other times. There is one young lady who loves to talk about people behind their backs. She talks about people one minute and laughs in their faces the next. No telling what she is saying about people. I try to avoid her at all cost.
As for myself, I usually stay to myself because it is safer that way. No jealousy and no she said this about this person. I address certain people at work and try to talk about work only. I do have one lady I do conversate with. She has alot of problems at home to deal with so she tells me about them when she has time and listen. Other than her I keep to myself.