Can't tell the whole story

By Staff
This week I have come face to face with rumors.
Now, I am like everyone reading this paper. I love a good, juicy tale. But, there is a difference in mentioning something between friends and telling the whole world about something you don't know is true.
Frankly, if I were in the gossip business, I'd have no problem working for a tabloid like National Enquirer or Star. In fact, if I enjoyed making up gossip or telling it, I could make a lot more money working at a rag.
While we all enjoy a good tale every now and then, it's important for us to remember that when we say things that may or may not be true, the tale is usually unflattering and can be hurtful even if it's not true.
Gossip hurts people, their families and it hurts their creditability in the community. I'll be honest with you. I have been caught talking about someone from time to time. Usually when I hear rumors, I'm just standing there with my mouth open in shock. My usual response after I'm able to shut my mouth is 'no way.'
This is because I tend to see people in the best possible light. I don't think that people are bad. They just do bad things sometimes, and, yes, this includes me. None of us are perfect. So, we should stop pretending we are.
I guess I say all of that to say is that while a good, juicy tale might make good conversation in the office, we should all consider what we'd feel like people were talking about us. What would we want people to say about us? Do we want to be known for spreading rumors?
Are we willing to set back if they were about us?
I hope that everyone reading this will think about these questions the next time your co-worker comes in and says 'guess what I heard.'
Also, for all of you who just get their kicks on spreading things that could be disputed as truth, remember that what goes around comes around. Before you know it, you could be hearing rumors about you.