How do you deal with office mates that like talking about others?

Answer 1

You do not participate in gossipping with them. It's as simple as that. You are under no obligation to join them in their yakking about other people.

Answer 2

If they are talking to someone else about someone I just ignore them. If they try to bring me into the conversation I say this. Let me ask you a question before you continue. Is what you about to tell me the truth? They usually say they do not know. So then you say. So you do not know if it is true or not. Then say Is what you are about to tell me good. They usually say no. So then say. So you want to tell me something bad about someone but you do not know if it is true or not. Then ask is what you are about to tell me usefull. When they say no. Then say. So you want to tell me something about someone that in not good. may not be true and is not usefull to me. So why tell me at all. Socrates created these questions. There is a reason he is lauded as a great philospher, Usually. After asking the person these questions they are embarassed. But it also makes them think the next time that they want to share a bit of gossip

Answer 3

My response is usually something like, " oh yeah, oh well, oh dear, oh really, .... yeah? mmmmm .... " and so on. If you feel you really need to say something, just shrug your shoulders and say you've never noticed it, or that you've always found them to be .

Don't get dragged into office gossip because it will ricochet straight back at you.

The worst part about office gossip is that it always makes me wonder what they are saying about me, if they're talking about everyone else like that. I learnt my lesson a long time to leave my private life at home; and my working life at work.

Answer 4

I stay out of it. Even if you don't say anything wrong, you can get blamed for it.

Answer 5

tell them to shut up
Secondly just dont bother gosiping with them.. IGNORE their statements

Answer 6

Easy - just don't join in.