If a person tells you this what do you think?

[stanley-88888888]

i dont see anything wrong here... she is probably being ****-shamed or mean-girled so she is asking your cousin not to prejudge her. i dont see how this is trying to control him ?

dont believe everything you hear.

is a common general idiom.

[RubyDee]

It could mean anything. I would take it as don't believe anything you hear because it's probably not true.

[Scarlett.O'Hara]

If it concerns him, he should ask her to explain what the gossip is about. I think it is fair question considering she was the one who brought it up in the first place. She shouldn't have done that unless she was willing to talk about it in more detail.

It might be something really trivial or unfair, in which case he can have her back. However, it could also be an indication that she loves stirring up unnecessary drama in her life. If that's the case, he could soon be on the receiving end of her love of drama.

Better to know earlier rather than later.

[Slowpoke_TX]

It could mean that she is preoccupied with others' opinions of her, which is a red flag.

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by CuriosityofCat

Not for myself.

But a cousin (guy) has interest in a girl at his university. Seems to be mutual (they've had coffee, etc.). She's decent enough. Keeps mostly to herself. Thing is, and this caught my attention when he brought it up, is not soon after they got to talking she told him not to believe any gossip about her. This is his 2nd year. She's 4th year. So there's possibly some gossip.

Or am I, being an older/yes protective cousin, just overthinking her comment.

Most if not all gossip is routed in truth to some extent.