How to Prevent Gossip

Stop harmful gossip from spreading.

Gossip might be relatively innocuous when it's about Hollywood actors, famous athletes or rock stars, but it can be a devastating force when you or someone you know is the unfortunate subject. The truth is that wherever people are, gossip will be there as well. You might not be able to put a complete stop to every bit of gossip that comes your way, but you certainly can do your part to be sure that gossip has one less avenue down which it can travel.

Instructions

1. Encourage the truth. When information gets passed on from one person to the next, things often become distorted. It is this twisted, inaccurate hearsay that can soil reputations and destroy friendships. An easy remedy to prevent the spreading of rumors -- in the workplace or amongst friends -- is to attack such unverified talk with the truth. If you hear something through the grapevine that you know isn't right, speak up. You don't have to be rude or confrontational to gossipers, either. Keep the peace by starting off with, "I know that person well, and what actually happened was...."

2. Let others know you aren't comfortable with gossip. Again, don't cause further friction by being angry or condescending to gossipers. Your disdain can be as simple as: "I don't really feel comfortable talking about this," or "I try not to talk about people if they aren't present to defend themselves." Conversation may stop. It may not. Either way, you've done your part, and others may follow your example.

3. Keep quiet. If the conversation is gossip-related, it might be best just to keep your opinions to yourself. It's easy to get roped into the gossip chain, and it's even easier to say more than you originally intended. Keep in mind that anything you might say to someone about someone else can be distorted later.

4. Don't be too eager to go with the crowd. Psychologists are finding that people are socially geared for gossip, and that gossip brings people together. This isn't necessarily always a bad thing, but in friendship situations, people bonding at the expense of someone else is most always harmful. Be prepared to walk away. Gossip can't go very far if no one is there to perpetuate it.

References

• News from Behind My Hand: Gossip in Organizations

Resources

• Don't Listen To Gossip