Gossip only dies from neglect. But I did find a way to combine my options and in doing so helped myself while I was waiting for the gossip to die. The most important thing to do when you are the object of gossip is to change how you feel about it. Righteous indignation and reactive passion are a waste of your time. Be calm, detached, indifferent and deadly business-like when you are the object of gossip.
Cool professionalism is the only effective way to gain control when gossip is out of control.
Reasonable, calm, self-effacing and judicious control is a stunning and calming force in a storm of gossip. If you absolutely must respond to the gossip, respond only to people you respect. Manipulate everyone else with your silence. Simply state that you are aware of what is being said about you, and isn t it sad how the truth is distorted. Then do not say anything else, and do not go into any justification whatsoever.