How to Silence Gossip
Gossip is an ugly disease that spreads quickly, especially when it deals with infidelity, theft or any other major sin or crime. The spread of gossip is enjoyable for the innocent, but it will cause pain for people that may be innocent of the rumored indiscretion. According to "Psychology Today," people are naturally social creatures and gossiping is part of our nature as humans. But there are several ways to take yourself out of the grapevine and quiet malicious gossip.
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Instructions
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Don't repeat any gossip that you have heard, especially if it is unfounded. The most effective way to stop the cycle of gossip is to hear it but not repeat it to anyone else.
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Keep any private or privileged information that you learn about someone or that they have offered up to yourself.
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Voice your opinion about gossip to your friends, family and co-workers, especially when they are in the midst of spreading a rumor. Remind these people that gossip is generally unfounded and that spreading potential lies will have a negative effect on the person they are speaking about.
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Confront the person that is the subject of the rumor and inform him about the gossip. Give specific details, including the topic of the gossip and the people that have been spreading it. It is up to the person in question to stop the rumor or confirm its truth.
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Institute a rumor-free zone in your home or workplace. Encourage your friends, family members, co-workers and supervisors to stop spreading rumors or to keep any privileged information about a person, true or not, to themselves. In the workplace, institute punishments for perpetuating gossip, such as loss of privileges or, in extreme cases, suspensions or demotions.
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References
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