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Curious to hear(read) folks assessment on 'rumors.'
Be it thru work,community,or personal...What creates these semi quasi untruths? How does 'ignoring' it quill its intent?
I've often cringed when told ....To ignore it. Why? Because in my mind...Silence breeds consent. Usually it's healthy to confront the alleged rumor starter ..But I could be wrong.
Your thoughts are welcomed.
People like to hear themselves talk. There's no way of stopping it. It's sad, but also a fact of life. Ignore what you can, only deal with what you absolutely have to.
Once, I was warned that another coworker was complaining about me to another co-worker. My response was "Great. I am glad she has people who are willing to let her vent."
I am a team leader at a major auto manufacturer, things get extremely tense, petty and nasty every 4 years when the big 3 are negotiating their next contract. Team leaders are hourly workers elected by their co-workers in 2011 a co worker of mine named myself and two other TL in a post on social media stating we were performing sexual favors in exchange for special privileges. He was very specific and graphic. Approximately 75k people across the country in the FB group he posted in, the admin deleted it ASAP but by then thousands had seen it. We laughed it off and tried not to let it bother us, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction to know I was pissed as hell and embarrassed. He got fired about a year later for stealing, I laughed like an idiot when he was walked out in front of all of us. Laughing it off is definitely the best policy.
My opinion on rumors is if it's positive, I might repeat it, if it's negative, I won't.
Patty seems to be showing signs of being pregnant, might be something I'd repeat. But Patty was throwing up every morning and now she isn't, would be something I'd keep to myself.
I've worked in a few offices, and I made it a point to mind my own business, unless it was positive/happy news.
Appreciate the comments made here! Places a bit of wisdom into when to walk and when to talk. Was an eye opener to read some of the rumors folks were subjected to.
I have various theories, though take them with a grain of salt because I don't purport to be an expert on it
1. People who wish to get closer to someone will gossip with them so that they have something in common with them.
2. An individual who is engaging in negative gossip about someone else might be threatened by that person and is trying to shape others' opinions and/or make him or herself feel better
3. Though it might be false, gossip is treated as knowledge in some circles and people who have knowledge are accorded power. It can be a political tool to engage in gossiping with higher-ups or people who are otherwise influential
4. Gossiping creates an "in group" and an "out group"...creating cliques.
5. People don't have anything more interesting to discuss?
Sometimes you have to quash them, unfortunately people will bring them to you and if you're in an atmosphere where it can affect you you gotta nip it in the bud.
Had a few rumors about me when I was younger but that was fine. I don't get how people just open their mouths to spread baseless facts in professional atmospheres.
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