Why do people make up rumours??

[alijangra]

I was up visiting my parents at new year. They live in a small village on an island in the outer hebridies. This is also my birthplace and where I lived until 17 years old. I went to the local on Hogmanay and then on to a party at someones house. I did not want to drink much as we were having a family dinner the next day so didnt want a hangover.

Next thing I know, I return home (I live in a large city in Scotland and have done for 9 years). My best mate from back home texts me to ask if I have anything to tell her ie am I pregnant?? The rumour was all round the village and had got back to my dad before I could phone and say it was nonsense. Ok Im 26 but not married and this would really upset my dad as he is a christian. Why oh why would someone make this up? I have not put on any weight. Was it because I wasnt drinking at the party?? I dont have any enemies back home although I was getting chatted up alot, do you think one of the females got jealous and did it maliciously? Im really worried now as I wonder what else is being said!! Small people with boring lives I think but it still upset me.

[GraceAnais]

my god...what a story!

I agree that rumours are normally started by small people with small lives...but sometimes things just get out of hand.

e.g

"did you notice she wasn't drinking all night?"

"yeah, wonder why?

"maybe she's pregnant?"

"really?"

"well why else wouldn't you drink?"

"yeah i suppose"

etc etc etc.... and before you know it your nine months gone, the father is a criminal, it was a one night stand, you're carrying twins, etc etc.

I would just ignore it and get on with your life regardless..the truth will out when nine months later you return sans sprog!

[alijangra]

Thanks Grace, Im just worried the rumour then turns into that I have had an abortion or miscarriage! Im assuming they will start something like that to save face! I actually feel really uncomfortable and paranoid about going back home now!! Of course everyone that knows me well knows its a load of tripe but the older, church going generation of the village are extremely judgemental. Bad enough that I am living in sin (for past 5 years!), and I am leaving my calling in life(nursing!) to go back to uni!!

[jno]

well, make sure you tell your dad it's not true - Christians aren't necessarily mugs, so he probably didn't believe it anyway, but I'm sure he'd like to hear it from you. For the rest of them, there's nothing to do but let them gossip; they'll probably have moved on to some other topic by now, two-headed sheep or something..

[alijangra]

Thanks guys I know these people are petty but its such a goldfish bowl up there. Dad knows its all rubbish we are very close and talk alot. But it did upset him and I hate that, he has enough worries of his own.

[GraceAnais]

i know how you feel alijangra. a few years back a friend of mine commented that he'd seen me and i looked pregnant (my flatmate had just bought a toasty maker and after an addiction to cheese and ham toasties i did have a little foodbaby)

it really upset me as i found it just plain spiteful. i was ony 20 and doing a degree and was clearly not pregnant. (i gave up toasties, joined the gym and lost 2 stone after that though)

it's true that mud sticks and people do believe what they hear but you have to rise above it.

When i ended a long term relationship a year or so ago i broke my boyfriends heart. i thought our mutual friends would blank me but everyone was very nice about it... turns out he told a couple of friends he left me and i was devastated....the rumours spread and i ended up the victim. he may have had his pride but i got all the sympathy...one 'rumour' that worked in my favour!!!

[huge piles]

it's all ********, my friend, and i would ignore it completely... in a sorta upside down situation, i moved from glasgow at 13 to a small rural community outside of aberdeen...

small places can breed the richest and the smallest of minds... i have first hand experience of that...

what has happened is that one of the 'smallest' has gotten jealous of the fact that you have moved away, and therefore by default think yer 'better' than them, so they have tried to screw you up...

ignore... they are envious fools... :D

[huge piles]

do you think yourself wrong for moving elsewhere to develop yourself ?

i think not... and i complement you on your decision...

good luck !

[Jennykins]

I dont know.. but I herd jno doesnt like GraceAnais.. and that Hudge piles had a baby with Zorro...haha

JEN

[huge piles]

was that supposed to be funny ? this is an upsetting situation, and you joke ?

[huge piles]

sorry jennykins... after rereading your post i realise that you were indeed being supportive of the 'rumour' thing... and showing how ridiculous the situation can get...

my apologies !!

[huge piles]

sorry