2006-06-05 12:16:21 · 8 answers · asked by Claudia G 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Sometimes I counteract negative gossip by making kind remarks about the person who is the subject of the gossip. Most people are basically nice and this appeals to their better nature. If the gossiper persists I don't worry about offending them with silence.
2006-06-05 12:52:49 · answer #1 · answered by Faun 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I found myself in this situation recently, I stopped conversing with the person doing it but now I realise I should of tryed to steer the conversation down another path, for ex : Did you hear such and such got a new dog to match the jone's? You can say no I didn;t and then say have you seen the new advertisment or whatever it is you can think of to distract the conversation away from the gossip
Give it a go it worked for me and I am in a small town
2006-06-05 12:32:21 · answer #2 · answered by ozi_nut 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I either say a good word about the person they are talking about, but I usually straight up say, "I'd rather not talk about that", or act like you see an old friend across the room and say, "Excuse me..." followed by, "hey! look who it is!" as you walk away. The last example may only work with 3 or more people in the conversation without seeming rude by walking away.
2006-06-05 17:54:26 · answer #3 · answered by Chase 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I do is pretend I was spacing during the conversation and didn't hear what/who they were talking about and ask a really silly question like "Ooh, what do you think about pink and red together?" just play dumb like you don't have a clue or like your completely focused on something really off the subject and go on about it and maybe you will even change the subject. If anything they will just think you have A.D.D or something like that! Might sound dumb but it's worked for me...
2006-06-05 12:25:55 · answer #4 · answered by teetee's mommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jujst keep the lips zipped, anyone asks tell them...I don't gossip ever. They should leave it at that. tell them also if they continue, you see no sense in it either.
2006-06-05 13:20:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be honest and say you don't like gossip. Then quietly ask to not be involved.
2006-06-05 12:19:10 · answer #6 · answered by David 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay away from the gossippers as much as possible
2006-06-05 12:21:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silence is golden.
2006-06-05 12:18:53 · answer #8 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋