Of gossiping and telling tales

I cannot stand people who make it a point to include mengumpat.. (err.. is it called telling tales?) as part of their daily 'To Do' list. But more often than not, I'm forced to be a listener (*sigh* most of the time against my will. Honest!)

So how do I turn these people away?

Yes I've tried appearing uninterested in their stories. I must have faked yawns after yawns. I've even tried to pointedly stare at my computer screen while typing something, not even looking at them (kononnya sibuk lah tu with work :P)

But of course, most of the time these things rarely work.
Some people derive pleasure when they gossip about other people. I wonder what would they feel if they become the subject of other people's gossip pulak..

If I know myself (which I think I do), it's not that hard for my face to show my boredom. Hmm.. I wonder if there's something I don't know. Do my facial expressions encourage all these petty talks and gossips?
Is there something written on my face that tells people I love hearing bad things about other people?
Bloody hell.. sia-sia dapat dosa laaaa... mendengar umpatan pun ada share tau! Arghhh!!

Once I read an email forwarded by someone. On things to consider before telling someone something:
(a) Is it true?
(b) Is it necessary?
(c) Will it hurt the feelings of the person involved (should they hear about it)?
("Well, will it hurt my own feelings if people talk this way about me?" Normally when I ask myself, I'd get the answer 'Yes')

Somehow these points got stuck in my head..

* * *

Maybe I should put up a huge, bold printout at my cubicle saying "Do I look interested?"
Coz I know there were soooo many times I was sorely tempted to say: "I'm sorry, did I look interested? Honestly, that was NEVER my intention.."

Hehe..