#1
In reality, I was in foster care because she was physically a*****e. The "older man" was my foster dad, who, along with his WIFE, my foster mum, loved me unconditionally and ended up adopting me after several years.
But that version of events wouldn't have played as well to her Bible study group...
#2
#3
Let’s admit it—all of us have participated in gossip sessions throughout our lives, even if that’s not the most moral thing to do. In fact, such activity is natural; it has been wired into our brains since the prehistoric times. Some scholars even claim that gossip was the reason our language evolved—so we could pass information around about each other.
Gossip didn’t even have a negative meaning until around the time of the European witch hunts. Then, it became a catalyst for accusations of witchcraft and sorcery and accusing women of being punished using inhumane medieval t*****e instruments.
Basically, witch hunts became a way to prevent women from speaking out and allowed for gossiping to gain a label with the rather negative connotation of “women’s talk.”
#4
I had chronic strep throat.
#5
#6
Yet, such a stereotype is not exactly realistic, as research shows that men and women engage in around the same amount of gossiping activity. However, men are way less criticized for it.
Well, no matter the gender, some gossip isn’t bad for us. Some studies show that this activity can even bring people together—sharing information (whether it's positive, negative, or neutral) helps folks create new bonds or strengthen already existing social bonds, as the process improves their trust in each other.
#7
#8
At the same time, when gossiping starts turning into rumor spreading, its harm outweighs any benefits, as it starts hurting people. Essentially, rumors are unconfirmed information that’s being spread as factual by people who haven't checked whether it’s true or not.
And so, when information is unverified, anything—even the most outrageous lies—can be spread about a person. Let’s just take a peek at today’s list as it’s full of examples. All of them were collected from what various people shared online, to be more specific, how they answered the question “What is a dumb rumor you've heard about yourself?”
Well, what this collection shows us is that people aren’t shy about sharing random information about others, even if that’s rather dumb. While that sometimes leads to silly misunderstandings, other times it might have worse results.
#10
#11
Rumour traveled around my office like f*****g wild fire.
#12
Second to that was the rumour I was a trans woman. That was at a time most people, including young left leaning people were openly very transphobic. I was at uni. It was awful. It made me really hate people...
It's also very insulting to trans women. I was quite ugly back then and couldn't do my makeup or dress myself well.
But it was very well believed. Which actually worked out for me as it kept awful people away from me.
For instance, getting someone’s reputation destroyed as things spread about them is very damaging. Fake information and fake news tend to have both immediate and long-lasting effects on people. At first, it riles up a person's emotions and changes their mood. Depending on how strong these feelings are, they can stick to them for a long time, remaining even after the information gets debunked.
Not to mention that the fact that these rumors hurt not only reputations, but the people themselves, which we don’t have to tell you is a morally wrong thing.
#13
(I had eye surgery and had a bloodshot eye that was dripping blood).
#14
A buddy of mine changed high schools back in the day, guess he thought it'd be easier to ingratiate himself by going for the sympathy vote? He told people I died in a car crash on a notoriously steep curve near my house (I didn't even have my learners licence at the time). He had taken time off to go to my funeral and give a eulogy, and would mention he was off to supposedly visited and comfort my family.
Imagine the surprise when a friend of a friend who went to that school actually met me months later at a party and told me all this. They were LIVID, I was more amused. I'd see him around afterwards but I never questioned or confronted him about it, he got enough c**p for it when word of my status as 'alive' got around.
#15
#16
#17
#18
#20
I’m 42 😂.