We live in a block of flats and recently people have been bitching about other people. Everytime I meet someone on my way all they talk about is how this neighbour did this and that neighbour did that. Some have also put up notices on the front door about others, which I find disgusting. we are losing our sense of community and that was the main reason why we choose this beautiful area in the first place.
2006-08-14 13:42:39 · 7 answers · asked by me 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Try reverse psychology... when approached say "I love this area, dont you. People are so so kind here and I love the way no-one talks about anybody. My old village was ruined by gossip. Such a lovely place ruined by a few old chatterboxes. Anyway, how are you. You look very nice today... etc..
Its called PollyAnna-ing. Refusal to see the bugs, only the butterflies. Good luck, keep smiling!!
2006-08-14 20:32:28 · answer #1 · answered by Pan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your neighbours are bitching about each other because they don't know each other well enough. Perhaps you could organise a party for your block. If that's not possible, when your neighbours moan about someone to you try saying something positive about them. (Maybe it's because I'm speaking as an 18 year old but...) we are all sheep and once one person says something positive generally other people join in.
2006-08-15 07:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by Emma C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a landlord, and had this problem in one of my buildings. I had a pizza party (I hosted it, of course) at a local pizza place and invited everyone to come - I made it clear that although we couldn't FORCE our tenants to come, we did expect the ones who had been doing the complaining to either show up or shut up! I asked everyone who was coming to make a list of three things that EVERYONE in the building could do to make it a better place to live. This avoided personal attacks or name calling - so someone would write something like, "Everyone should carry their garbage out to the dumpster instead of leaving it in the hallways overnight." They gave their suggestions to me, and I'd read them all - and then we'd make a list and post it in the laundry room. One thing I've realized, though - all those things you THINK should go without saying (like, "change the litter in the cat box at least once a week") -- you need to say to people. Different people have different ideas of what's ok and what's dirty, and it helps to just spell everything out very, very clearly.
2006-08-14 21:33:29 · answer #3 · answered by Vicki D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best way to handel this is to have a block party that way everyone can meet each other and get to know if there are any problems that can be settled but most of all just to have fun
2006-08-14 20:51:33 · answer #4 · answered by papasmurf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just cut them off and say, "I'm not interested in idle gossip."
2006-08-14 21:36:52 · answer #5 · answered by misslabeled 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them not to talk to you
2006-08-14 23:14:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put up a sign that says ......."I DO NOT GOSSIP"
2006-08-15 01:39:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋