When you find out that someone has been spreading rumours and gossiping about you it can be devastating. You feel like your stomach drops and you can’t believe that it is really happening. It is even worse if the betrayal is from somebody you considered a friend and you don’t know who to trust.
When a person is spreading rumours they are trying to turn people against someone or seek social status and become popular. Spreading rumours about others is a form of bullying.
Whatever you put out into the world comes back to you, so the person gossiping about you will eventually get kicked in the ass by karma.
If you want to let the big mouth know that you are aware they are spreading rumours about you, here are a few things that you can say to shock them and shut them up.
15 Best comebacks for someone spreading rumours about you
1. Rumours are as dumb as the people spreading them and as fake as the person who started them.
2. I wish all those rumours I hear about me were true. My life would be so much more exciting than it actually is.
3. Remember, rumours about me are as true as the ones I hear about you.
4. I’m flattered that you’re so interested in my life that you make up stories, but I’m afraid your rumors are a work of fiction.”
5. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information about my life, but it’s definitely not true.
6. You know that what you are saying is mean spirited an untrue. I would appreciate it if you stop.
7. What you are saying about me is ‘t true, and I refuse to let it affect me.
8. It’s sad that you didn’t come to directly and talk about any issues you have with me.
9. Please stop saying things about me. It is hurtful and unnecessary.
10. I guess if you’re still talking about me your’e still thinking about me.
11. When someone spreads a lie about you, check back with me then to see how it feels.
12. There is no point wasting my energy to defend something someone says about me that isn’t even true.
13. I am not sure why you feel the need to spread rumours about me? I hope you can find some happiness in your life instead of trying to ruin mine.
14. Honestly, have you not got anything better to do than spread false information about me?
15. The truth always comes out in the end. When people show me who they really are, I believe them.
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Why do people spread rumors about others?
Oh, the urge to spread dramas and lies has never been more apparent in this internet age, wouldn’t you say?
While some rumors can be true, they’re mostly wordy fabricated attacks meant to hurt people.
There can be many reasons why people love the big gossip mill and here are a few of them.
1. Attention-seeking
Some people think that spreading rumors is a way to gain attention and ultimately validation. They believe life is a popularity contest and the more they shake up made-out stories, the more supplementary self-worth they get.
2. Jealousy
Jealousy is a real mental cancer.
In fact, when people get threatened by other people’s success and popularity, they spread rumors to bring them down from their high pedestals.
3. Revenge
For some, the perfect revenge is served best in the form of “revenge gossip” tea. Spreading rumors is just the right tool to harm someone’s reputation and drag it under, without lifting a finger.
4. Insecurity
To feel good about themselves, people find empty gossip as “empowering.”
Even insecurities need temporary relief, and what better way to do that than spreading rumors about other people to deflect our own shortcomings?
5. Bullying
Bullying can happen whether the bullies are throwing the punches face-to-face or behind the back.
Spreading rumors is a form of bullying, and people use it to intimidate and control others.
Rumors give us something to think and talk about— that’s why many do it for sport. But idle chatter that leads to busy gossip is a serious case with real-life consequences for the one spreading the trash talk and for the one receiving it.
Rumors can induce irreparable damage to someone’s reputation, relationships and even career. Unfortunately, bad talk is always out there, making it so hard to avoid it.
Even so, it’s not a futile feat that cannot be countered successfully. Start by confronting the situation in a respectful and constructive way.
More comebacks you might like
How to deal with people spreading rumors about you
When rumors start flying, facts are easily buried.
Dealing with rumors can be so stressful. In a way, it’s like throwing punches in the air. But here are some steps you can take to address the situation:
1. Stay calm and composed
When you’re all defensive mode hearing rumors about yourself, it’s hard to stay calm and composed. But you have to anyway — act without impulsiveness and aggression. If you insist on going crazy, the situation will go out of hand.
2. Assess the situation
If you want to know where the rumors are coming from and who’s spreading them, you should try to assess the events. This can help you understand and address the situation better.
3. Confront the person spreading the rumors
Contrary to what you think, confrontation is good. For one, it allows transparency and honesty — things of high importance when dealing with someone spreading rumors.
Talk to the person directly but calmly, allow yourself to be vulnerable and express how the rumors are affecting you. Then maybe, you can ask them to stop doing it.
4. Seek support
When you’re going through a tough time, it’s essential to talk to friends and family about it. Aside from helping you deal with these rumors, they can also give you much-needed emotional support.
5. Address the rumors publicly
If the rumors are spreading like wildfire catching flames everywhere, consider addressing them publicly.
Rumors are misinformation that’s on the verge of becoming an implied truth if you don’t explain the situation. So, talk to people directly or post on social media, and spill your truth.
6. Seek professional help
While spreading rumors can be a guilty pleasure for some, it actually makes people sick; mentally, physically and emotionally.
If you’re experiencing constant distress, don’t think twice about seeking professional help from a counselor or a therapist.
The Truth is harder to come by nowadays — and that’s why we should not let the truth become scarce even more.
When rumors spread, it’s important to show up and defend yourself; calmly and respectfully. Taking a long absence will not help the situation, it will only create more babble talk. Rest assured that with time and effort, these rumors can be addressed and corrected.
Demi Lavato regrets gossiping and spreading rumours in high school
Demi Lavato was bullied so severely that she left public school. Later on, she realized that by spreading rumours about others brought on some of the bullying to herself. At least can owns her bad behaviour.
There were things that I did in middle school that probably contributed to why girls treated me so poorly. I didn’t realize I was doing things that were also forms of bullying, like spreading rumors about people and gossiping. Gossip is essentially character assassination. When you spread rumors about someone, it’s a way of demoralizing them.- Demi Lavato
The Role of counselling and self care
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When you are dealing with a person who spreads rumours can be stressful, consider getting support from a professional. Talking to a counsellor is a great way to work through a challenging situation, and help you find some strategies to work through the person’s behaviour.
Better Help is a great resource where you can talk to a counselor from the comfort of your own home.
Taking care of your own needs isn’t selfish, and you will feel better in the long run.
Bryn your piece on spreading rumors is a must-read for high school students and you offer advice that I wish I had known back then. Today we continue to see rumors being spread online, especially in the media on their own social media outlets. The citizen journalists that work for some of these online news companies need to do a better job of verifying information and avoid spreading false rumors. I really enjoyed this piece and look forward to your other writings and make me think back to certain situations such as this.
People were mean to me in fifth grade. It was because I had autism. When the teacher assigned someone to be partners they would gossip about me. It really hurt my feelings. I would rather have them say these things to my face. If they said that to me I could just assume they’re jerks. But if they’re gossiping about how I’m different it made me feel like it’s true. It made me feel like something is wrong with me. I didn’t tell the teacher because it seemed like I was telling on them for not liking me. Because of that I had low self esteem.
I know that nobody cares.
I know how you feel. I hope things get heaps better for you, Anya!
It’s ok that you have autism. I know you are a great person, and you are extremely kind and smart. Those kids.. they were just jerks. If you ever feel bad, ask yourself ‘Where are they now?’
The world needs more of you
Thanksso much for the post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
No screw you jk I like nuts
I’m gay
Nom nom
^3^
I grew up with a lot of bullies in my life too, bullies at home, bullies at school, and bullies at work.. and after a while I noticed something about them. Bullies are really just weaklings trying to hide their own weaknesses by aggression. Bullies don”t understand their own emotions and so they bully because they are weak and feel threatened by anyone who seem to have it together and they want to bring anyone who seem stronger than them down to their level. Be proud you”re not weak like they are, it takes a lot of strength and courage to be kind and this world is so full of ignorant weaklings. If you can and as long as they don”t touch you, ignore and avoid them like the pests they are because their words have no meaning, they don”t know you, they just want to hurt you. Concentrate on improving yourself and don”t waste your attentions on them because that”s what they want. Bullies want attention and they want your reactions, once you stop giving that to them, they lose interest. I stopped wasting my attention and energy on negative people like bullies, they are energy vampires and they will exhaust you if you let them get to you. When you know your priorities, you can stop giving a sh*t and mentally block anyone who isn”t your friend off and anything they say is as good as your neighbor”s barking dog. Prioritize yourself and everything else is irrelevant.
WOW you really had your experience didn’t u
Well said!
when you spread a mean rumour about someone I feel like you don’t know how bad it really feels unless you experience it yourself
Look bully’s are just weak people who are most likely just jealous and who caress what they think! What do you think about yourself?