Confronting Gossip

If word got to you that others were talking about you would you confront them and ask what are they saying?

I HEARD...

There seems to be a lot of talk going on in my work place and most of it is not positive. When someone starts out with "I heard" I know it is probably not going to be something I would want to bring up during a staff meeting. Why do we take such pleasure in talking about others? I know for a fact that everybody has secrets; or at least issues that they would like to think are secret. I admit I do listen and I have been known to even start a conversation with the aformentioned quotable. In the end though I know that the thing to do is this...if your are going to talk secrets about someone, you should start with yourself first.