Nearly four years ago, the makers of Snapple Beverages had to wage an advertising campaign against rumors that it supported the Ku Klux Klan. As evidence, rumor-mongers pointed to the small letter K on the labels of Snapple drinks. It means the product meets kosher dietary standards. Some of these rumors are relatively harmless. Others can harm a business financially or cost someone their reputation.
Personal rumors can be some of the most vicious.
Couched in gossip or disguised as expressions of concern, rumors can poison relationships and destroy friendships. I choose not to listen to them. If during a conversation someone says something about another person that sounds gossipy or slanderous or might possibly lower my opinion of that person, I will stop the conversation and inform the speaker that I don't appreciate such comments. If I suspect the speaker has a dispute with the person he or she is bad-mouthing, I will encourage the speaker to talk to that person and try to resolve their differences. I also take notes.