How can you stop rumors

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Already a member? Log in. I agree to Cleverism's. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you want to maintain a level of respect even after the vicious rumor is spread, then you have to continue to keep your head high, instead of thinking, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," which will get you nowhere. Talk to an adult or authority figure if you have to. Sure, talking to an adult or your boss about vicious rumors may not be fun, but it can get the person who spread them in trouble and can make you feel better about the situation.

If the rumors are being spread at school, for example, and you know exactly who started them, then talking to an authority figure can give the rumor-spreader a good scare and can get the rumors to stop as quickly as possible.

This is a tricky one. It's up to you to determine whether you need to talk to an adult or if you can handle this on your own. Part 2. Stand up for yourself. Don't confuse taking a stand for integrity with "being defensive". Find a platform where you can communicate your side of the story. Since silence is not always so golden, it is good to have some things you can be prepared to say: "I do not believe that is true.

Such things can do a lot of harm. Make sure your side of the story prevails. If people ask you about the rumor, you should stand up for yourself no matter what. If you brush it off or act like you don't want to talk about it, then people will believe it's true.

Determine what lends credibility to the rumor, and stop it. People are more likely to tell rumors that are plausible, and that hinge on the existence of suggestive evidence. For instance, a rumor about a workplace affair will take off if the two people involved flirt in the office, or sit together every day at lunch. Once you determine what is feeding the rumor, take steps to remove it, if you can.

Of course, if you're doing absolutely nothing to fuel the rumor, then there's nothing to change. And even if you are doing something to potentially cause the rumor, don't be hard on yourself if that's the case!

Prove that it's not true if you can. If you have evidence that can prove that the rumor isn't true, then you should put it forth. For example, if people are saying your boyfriend isn't real, bring him to the next party. If people are gossiping that you don't know how to swim, throw a pool party. If you can produce a document that can prove the rumor false once and for all, don't think it's beneath your dignity to do so.

Of course, one of the problems with rumors is that they are so hard to disprove. Don't scramble for evidence to the contrary if you simply can't get it. Broadcast the rumor. Yes, that's right. Verbalize or post the rumor in a prominent way. By acknowledging the rumor, you're taking away some of its momentum. Rumors spread like wildfire because the people who spread them do so in order to gain social status , and that depends on them having the "inside scoop. Everybody will already know!

Of course, if it's deeply painful, then you may not want the world to know. But if you think talking about it to everyone is the easiest way to prove it's ridiculous and to make it go away, then go for it. Confront the source. If you know who spread the rumor, then you may want to talk to the person who did it.

Be civil and keep your head high and talk to the person honestly about why he or she spread the rumor and acknowledge the trouble it's caused without looking too upset. Say something like, "I know we're not exactly best friends, but spreading false rumors about me is not the way to resolve our issues. Of course, don't put yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation if you know that talking to the person in question will simply do you no good.

Take care of yourself. Rumors can make people upset, angry, or even depressed. If you debunk a rumor via a town hall or in-person meeting, make sure to put your message in writing and hand it to folks as they walk out the door. And when rumors do occur, it is absolutely within your control to debunk the rumor using the six-step process described here.

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