How to Handle Hurtful Gossip

The pain of hurtful gossip can run deep. You confided in someone close to you, only to find out they started gossip. What was once very private is now public, even to strangers you've never met. There is a great deal of betrayal and often embarrassment from this type of situation. Unfortunately, many of us have gone through a situation where hurtful gossip was spread. How you choose to handle the circumstances can make all the difference.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a time, when you are calm, to face the person spreading the hurtful gossip. Specifically, ask them why they betrayed your trust. Discuss the circumstances with them. You will have less resentment facing the issue head-on.

2. Make a choice as to whether or not to keep the person that betrayed you, in your life. Write down the reasons you would want to keep contact. Have they betrayed you before? Are they generally a trusting friend who made this one-time misjudgment?

3. Hold your head high. Defending your reputation won't solve the problems of hurtful gossip. It will only draw attention to the nasty rumors being spread. Walk proud and ignore those that are judging you.

4. Wait for the tide to pass. People who gossip, will find someone to always talk about. Your situation will be long forgotten when someone or something new arises to be gossiped about.

5. Set an example. It's hard to spread hurtful gossip about someone, when the person being talked about doesn't behave in the manner that is being rumored. The gossip people will look like idiots because no-one is going to believe them. Behave and live as good as you can and the idle hurtful gossip will pass faster.

6. Rise above gossip. Don't allow idle gossip to define who you are. The rumors may hurt, but the rumors aren't who you really are.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've been the victim of gossip, you know it hurts. Use your experience to not gossip about others.

[Elizzabeth]

on 7/12/2009 Gossip is ugly. Thanks for this tips on deminishing its hurtful effects. 5* & recommended

[tracysmith159]

on 7/8/2009 Good article. Sitting in an small office with 10 other ladies tend to turn to gossip when we are board. No one means to hurt anyone, but it does happen. I try not to hurt anyone by sticking with the fact and truth and steer clear of hurtful subjects.

[karileighk]

on 7/5/2009 Rising above gossip is hard but a very big step.

[bworms1980]

on 6/29/2009 Great article about bad gossip. It can be hard to handle if someone wants to pull you into their drama, but ignoring it as much as possible is best.

[rockymtngrma]

on 6/27/2009 Wonderful advice on handling gossip. The best advice you gave is to rise above it. Gossip can only truly effect you if you allow it to do so.