From Inside Every Woman by Vickie L. Milazzo:
Any time anyone makes a negative comment about a person not present, that's gossip. Gossip is not just mean; it's a break with integrity that hurts us as much as the object of the gossip. Gossip also wastes time and energy.
Perhaps you have the integrity to never initiate gossip, but then when others start gossiping you can't believe the words coming out of your mouth, the things you're agreeing with. It's easy to get sucked in. And it's hard to be the one who speaks up and brings gossip to a halt, but that's exactly the right thing to do.
When confronted with gossip, [I] say, "well, you know, Mary's not here to defend herself." That remark will usually stop the gossip cold, without putting anyone on the spot.
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