Chinese Whispers

**wheelinround** · 21st December 2011, 05:55 PM

I first learnt of Chinese Whispers at primary school, teacher thought a lesson in passing on messages and showing how rumours begin would/might be educational.

We all have done it right throughout life, stretch the story, change the facts, stuff it right up.

Then comes the Rumour Mill crowd a situation becomes a topic of conversation which may or may not be true. All of a sudden you have some who believe, some who don't, some who stretch, change and distort the truth.

In amongst all these people are the ones who pump for more information, hang on every word, set the conversation back to the topic and spread it for good or evil.

In my working life it almost became ritual when out and about gleaning bits off other drivers of their work places and strife with in. It can hedge you to advancement or destroy the opposition, it can close ranks with in.

I always recall posters from post war "Loose Lips Sink Ships"

Its also a good test of friendship, tracking who you can trust. (edited spelling mistake 22.11hrs)

I worked with one fellow who was so damn good at starting them and hooking people in it was impossible to know what was what. He often set particular people up for big falls, I was one victim

Knowing when to leave well enough alone and walk away is the key he told me.

**Pac man** · 21st December 2011, 06:27 PM

What you say is all to true for me today.

Recent events in the workplace have become very messy.

Looking out for yourself and keeping what you see to yourself is the key

Its all too late when the *#!@ goes down and you potentially are implicated.

The Sun will come up tomoorrow , the birds will sing and hopefully i'll learn to keep my mouth shut

**wheelinround** · 21st December 2011, 06:34 PM

Pac Man I agree I found it best to listen much and

Even away from work it happens.

**Claw Hama** · 21st December 2011, 10:04 PM

So Ray what has sparked this flash of wisdom? as above all true, and I'm a firm beleiver of keeping my mouth shut in these instances. One of my family nick names is Oyster Mouth. Tell them nothing! take them nowhere!

**wheelinround** · 21st December 2011, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Claw Hama

So Ray what has sparked this flash of wisdom? as above all true, and I'm a firm beleiver of keeping my mouth shut in these instances. One of my family nick names is Oyster Mouth. Tell them nothing! take them nowhere!

Well CH its about me not keeping my mouth shut I guess.

**Claw Hama** · 21st December 2011, 10:19 PM

Become an Oyster Mouth

. Then you just sit back and watch all the others get into trouble. Can be a great spectator sport

**wheelinround** · 21st December 2011, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Claw Hama

Become an Oyster Mouth

. Then you just sit back and watch all the others get into trouble. Can be a great spectator sport

Thats what the old bloke used to say when I was in my 20's CH

pity he was out done by a better man who had kept his mouth shut and the bloke basicly knifed himself and his job in the end.

**Bob38S** · 23rd December 2011, 11:18 AM

Reminds me of what I was told as a kid -

"Have more than you show and speak less than you know."

"You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, therefore you should hear twice as much as you say."

Perhaps a little outdated, some would say, in light of Facebook, Twitter etc - but when the brown stuff hits the rotary oscillator, as it appears to be happening more frequently by the users of the public pages, I'm again reminded of the sayings.

**Bushmiller** · 28th December 2011, 12:53 PM

Or

"Say nothing and look like a fool: Don't open your mouth and convince everyone!"

At work we have a new gossip mechanism: "Trumours."

They have no more integrity than rumours, but in an institution that likes buzz words and follows world's best practice philosophies like sheep (no, make that Lemmings), it is well received

.

Regards
Paul

**wheelinround** · 10th February 2012, 12:58 PM

I am surprised by how many people are taken in and beguiled when rumours or un-truths are spoken.
The lack of asking questions or for written proof or the belief of character and trust in the person speaking. Yet none in the person of whom is being spoken of, this comes down to character assassination.

People have become so ingrained to accept what they hear without proof of any sort.

Its a terrible thing when rumours are set to destroy a reputation, destroy friendships, cause rifts so wide that only time will heal.

To stand alone while this is going on around you even at times without your knowledge, until someone wakes up, speaks up and brings it to your attention. Then what??

**mic-d** · 10th February 2012, 03:38 PM

Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people.

**Bob38S** · 10th February 2012, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people.

I like that - possibly because I could put names and faces into each section - when I see them in the future I'll listen closely and no doubt have a little grin.

**wheelinround** · 10th February 2012, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people.

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