What is George's Standpoint on Gossip Around the Ranch?

One major theme, not only from Part III, was gossip. It seems like none of the boys actually get along behind each other's backs, and it seems pretty obvious who the main topics are and who are the biggest sources of information. But the strange thing is, that no one really knows what George thinks about all of this. His actions are pretty contradicting because he seems to not really care, he is always half in and half out of the conversation. He also tells Lennie that they have to stay away from gossip and trouble. But George is always being talked to about what is going on in everybody's lives and it seems like he can't stop himself from offering his opinion. In fact, when he was talking to Whit about Curly's wife, he couldn't seem to stop himself from saying, "She's gonna make a mess."(51) Despite all of his lectures to Lennie about staying on the outside and not getting into trouble, he just can't help himself. But actually what surprised me even more, was that he was talking to Slim about Lennie, even with his misgivings about the other guys and having their past floating around with the rumors. He tells Slim a bit about Lennie despite the fact that he doesn't know how trustworthy Slim is by saying, "Lennie's a God damn nuisance most of the time." (41) This part may even be some foreshadowing, something might happen with Slim betraying George. Did anyone else pick up on George's attitude? Was George right to talk to Slim about Lennie?