Owning Up

Rumors and
Gossip
1. Would you rather have a
mansion or a private jet?

TODAY
They Said What?
How To Stop Rumors & Gossip
I hate how people keep getting into my business and judging me
before they talk to me and find out the real story.
-Michael
 When information or a story is spread about another person. It
Rumors may or may not be true and usually is said as a way to put the
other down or make them feel embarrassed.

When someone overstates the truth. The statement can be true

Exaggeration but the person saying it adds information sometimes to the point
where the story is inaccurate.

Releasing pent-up thoughts or feelings. Venting can be helpful

Venting when you’re angry at someone and need another person to think
through your feelings. A visual example is a balloon that is almost
bursting and you let out some air.
Venting or Rumors? Scenarios
You tell a friend that you are really annoyed at another friend because they put
other people down all the time and you want to avoid them.

You tell a friend that you are really frustrated at another person in your group
because they invite themselves to everything you do.

You tell a friend that one of your friends has a crush on someone in your grade.

You tell a friend that you just found out that a friend of yours lied about
something.
Socrates and the Three Sieves Video
Why are people telling us this?
These are the three questions we are going to ask ourselves when
people give us information about other people so we understand the
reason they are telling us.

1. Why are they telling me?

2. Do they want advice?
3. Are they trying to take away this person’s dignity, their worth?
Wrap It Up
It may not be realistic to stop someone telling you information
about someone else but it is possible to think about what we do with
that information.

Our three questions based on Socrates’ three filters can help you
decide what is the right thing to do with the information you heard.
Carry It With You
Between now and our next session see if you can count three times
when a person wants to share information with you about someone
else. Each time, see if you can remember to ask yourself why they
are telling you this information.