Oh, those blabbermouths. Don’t they just annoy you? You know who I’m talking about. Those people that use gossip for their own self interest at the expense of others. The ones that betray confidences, spread lies, destroy reputations, pass harsh judgments and bash individuals who aren’t around to defend themselves.
I grew up in a community of blabbermouths. Mostly women. Women who had nothing better to do with their time than supply gossip to the local community. They invented stories, or distorted the truth, and spread it around without a second thought. The worst part of all wasn’t the uncouthness of these women, but the number of followers that they had. A gossiper cannot exist without a listener – and there were many of those.
I grew to detest gossip. And I try to steer clear of these types of people. Not only does it make me uncomfortable listening to derogatory comments about someone not present, but I also figure that if a gossiper blabs about someone else to me, they’ll inevitably blab about me to someone else. I’ve been victim to malicious gossip in the past, but it’s all just a bad memory now. Thankfully, it’s been a very long time since I had to deal with such nastiness.
Have you ever been a victim to gossip?
I love me some juicy gossip, except when it's about me.
ReplyDeleteYou naughty girl, you! :)
DeleteYes unfortunately quite a few times. That is why I am careful but unfortunately there is nothing to prevent because if someone has it in for you there is nothing to stop it. Mind you it must be something in it because Perez makes loads of money doing it...
ReplyDeleteYou can't stop people from talking, but you can stop from listening.
DeleteI try my best never to get involved with gossip - and yes I have been a victim of if before. I think we all have at one time or another.
ReplyDeleteNo one can escape gossipy types. Sooner or later we are all victims to it.
Deleteoh yes indeed I've been a victim of gossip so much so...if I ever have I'd be horribly ashamed...ps I'm keeping only one blog now:
ReplyDeletehttp://photosandstuffl.blogspot.ca/
but it's a man and autumn in fact Mr optimistic, saw it!
I'm sorry to hear that, Lorraine. Don't let it get you down. Karma!
DeleteOh yes, I've been prey to gossip and backstabbers from time to time. You just have to trust in karma.
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Debra...karma! And I really believe in that, too.
Deletefunny how gossips spin a story too far
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean.
DeleteI have known and met a few people who thrive on this behavior. I think it stems from very low esteem and a need for acceptance from others....no matter what it costs. They are a very sad lot and as Debra said....trust in Karma to hopefully teach them a lesson.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, Jim. They do suffer from low self esteem amongst other things. And they try to make themselves feel better by bashing someone else. Sadly, that feeling is temporary. Best to work on yourself and build up your self esteem. Then there's no need for that kind of nastiness.
DeleteGreat post, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you have been victim of malicious gossip.
It can truly hurt!
Where we recently moved to a couple on our street have said not one good thing about the other neighbors.
I avoid that couple "like the plague"
Not nice people:(
I detest gossip!!!!!!!
Sounds like a very unhappy couple. That would certainly explain all the negativity. Happy people and confident people don't stoop to that level.
DeleteYes being a target of the "gossip" is very hurtful but even more so when it is a family member(s) that gossips about you. There really is no way to protect oneself from the stories except to continue on being who you really are. Thanks for the post, Martha, as it reminds us we are not alone.
ReplyDeleteFamily gossip is often the worst, Cathy. But you are right. Just continue to be who you are. You can't stop people from being blabbermouths, but you can choose to ignore them.
DeleteGossip is flat out cruel, and I'm sorry you've been the object of malicious words, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI'm not even going to go to what gossip has done to me in the past. Let me tell you, I had many classroom discussions over the years about how gossip and rumors hurt. And now, when you throw in social media opportunities, a gossiper can do real damage with a wider audience. You should hear the painful insights second and third graders have on this topic.
I was usually out of the "grapevine" in our large school because I wouldn't listen to it or pass it on. And that's the way I liked it!
Have a happy day!
Good for you! And I bet you were the happiest of all. Gossip and nastiness is a very negative environment, and it eventually weighs you down and robs you of happiness.
Deleteseems I've always been the type that solicits gossip. I caught up with the source a few times... I always confront... it's fun to do so. they are such sissy wimps
ReplyDeleteman? if I had done everything I've been accused of... I'd be 112.
always amazed me. and why? I dunno I'm such a sweetie.
Each and every time ... I encountered office gossipers or neighborhood gossipers or any kind of gossiper who LOVED to put people down for whatever reason they conjured up to justify said gossip ... I shut them down ... which, of course, precipitated more gossip toward me.
can't win ... BUT like Dr. Seuss says ...
Be who you are and say what you feel....
Because those that matter...
don't mind...
And those that mind... don't
matter."
gossipers are the same as pathological liars
When you confront these people, they usually are quite cowardly. Because if they were brave, they would approach you directly. Easier to hide behind their followers. I bet you solicit gossip because you're a very interesting person, and individuals who aren't happy with their lives are envious of you!
DeleteGossip is painful. What goes around, comes around...
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does...
DeleteI like good harmless gossip, nothing damaging or hurtful!
ReplyDeleteAnything said that will hurt someone else is malicious!
DeleteI have found that to listen is okay but once you start asking questions you're prying. Don't go there.
ReplyDeleteYes, best not to go there!
DeleteOh so very true. I have never understood it and get very confused by it. It happened to me today, actually. Not a lie, but something someone shouldn't have told me because it wasn't theirs to tell. It should only be the person who is going through it to make that decision to share. I hate being put into that situation. It is quite uncomfortable. I ended up walking away shaking my head. Out of respect for others, just let what they tell you be held in strict confidence and let them decide with whom they want to share with.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a very uncomfortable position to be in. And I couldn't agree more: things people tell you in private should be kept secret.
DeleteInteresting post :) Greetings and welcome to Us Patricia & Daniel
ReplyDeleteHello, and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI laughed at that last comic. That's funny. I'm going to have to use that line, sometime. It's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I can actually think of a few people that could fit a banana into their mouths sideways...hahaha...the blabbermouths!
Delete