How to steer clear of the gossip mill

Gossip is just one of those things we hate (but also secretly kind of enjoy). We peak at People magazine when were in line at the grocery store and we watch entire hit TV series developed around the most juicy scandals. It’s a part of our culture – but when your business gets in the gossip mill and starts to spread up and down the elevators and hallways of the apartment building, that’s where people start to draw the line. Our home is the one place where we go back to day in and day out, and where we expect to feel safe.

Don’t be caught in the line of fire. Use these five strategies to avoid the gossip mill in your rental community for good.

Don’t spread the fire

No one wants to be caught at the end of a nasty rumor, but did you ever cause the start of one? Small comments that you may never have thought twice about sharing can spread like wildfire through a building and be the start of a bad rumor. Comments about your neighbours’ living habits and schedules are none of your business, or anyone else’s.

Save the drama!

Your building doesn’t need a resident therapist. Keep your completely invalid psychoanalysis to yourself.

Don’t stop to listen

Gossip is a two-way street. Don’t think just because you’re not spreading the rumors that you’re in the clear. If you are lending neighbours a listening ear and catching up on rumors in the hallway, you’re still guilty of being a part of the rumor mill. Avoid jumping into conversations that are about other people, no matter how juicy the information sounds (I know it’s hard). When no one cares to listen to gossip, no one will be able to spread it.

Keep your business to yourself

If you know your building is a gossip hot zone, try your best to keep your business to yourself. Avoid asking people about their lives so you don’t have to bring them up to speed on your own. Keep your neighbours guessing about your life and soon they won’t know what to think, or what to say.

Change the subject

The obvious way to avoid being an accomplice or victim of gossip is to avoid your neighbours all together. The fact is though, that’s not possible – or much of a good idea! Besides, you never know when you may be in need of a neighbourly hand. Your best bet is simply to switch the topic of conversation. Don’t talk about yourself or other people. Instead talk about broader subjects like the weather, current events or even how your local sports teams are doing. Keep conversations short and light – you can do it – the elevator ride isn’t that long!

Let it be

If you’re doing your part not to participate in neighbour gossip, then you’re doing your part and you can’t bother to sweat the rest. People are always going to talk and you just have to let them. Go on with your life and your daily activities. Don’t bother with nosey neighbours who have nothing better to do with their time and soon gossip won’t be a part of your life.

Want to share your ways to steer clear of the gossip mill and give us other ideas about what to chat about on that elevator ride? Or do you have questions about rental living in general? Email us at AskRentersGuide@ypnexthome.ca - perhaps the answer you need will be in the next Rental Rantings!