Whispering at Family Gatherings
I often leave family gatherings with a bad feeling after observing two or more family members whispering to each other. I've been thinking about this for several days and even looked up the word whispering in an online dictionary. The verb form means to speak softly, or to speak quietly and privately, as by way of gossip, slander, or intrigue. It also means to say or tell privately or secretly. No wonder I have a bad feeling after seeing this happen in my family.
I personally think private whispered conversations are rude when sitting at a table, or in a room full of family members. I'm not talking about the occasional whispered words between spouses or a parent and child when it's necessary to convey a short message. I'm talking about two people sitting next to each other and speaking quietly to each other for a period of time. Sometimes, I can't help but think it is done intentionally to hurt other people by excluding them. I hope it isn't intentional but only thoughtless.
I have discovered that whispering at family gatherings isn't only bothering me, but other family members as well. I've been contemplating whether or not I can do anything to stop this kind of hurtful behavior when our family gets together. So far, I haven't come up with a solution. I'd love to hear my readers ideas. Thanks for reading and I'll watch for your comments.
I personally think private whispered conversations are rude when sitting at a table, or in a room full of family members. I'm not talking about the occasional whispered words between spouses or a parent and child when it's necessary to convey a short message. I'm talking about two people sitting next to each other and speaking quietly to each other for a period of time. Sometimes, I can't help but think it is done intentionally to hurt other people by excluding them. I hope it isn't intentional but only thoughtless.
I have discovered that whispering at family gatherings isn't only bothering me, but other family members as well. I've been contemplating whether or not I can do anything to stop this kind of hurtful behavior when our family gets together. So far, I haven't come up with a solution. I'd love to hear my readers ideas. Thanks for reading and I'll watch for your comments.
Posted by ozzieblackcat at 8/22/2009 1:56 PM 
Categories: family, gossip, depression, anxiety, relationships
Tags: ozzieblackcat depression blog His and Hers
Categories: family, gossip, depression, anxiety, relationships
Tags: ozzieblackcat depression blog His and Hers
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If its one thing I also hate its Whispering.. Its real rude and more then 10 times the people doing the whispering are talking about you or someone in the room. What I do and it makes people doing the whispering Mad is I look at them and tell them to Shsssh!!!! which is also rude but it makes the point... Ha ha ha ha!!!! But this is just my crazy way, one of them anyway.... Love ya and stop by and be sure to visit all of my blogs Hoorey Im getting closer and closer. Thank you and I send you lots of Hugs....
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just to let you know my thoughts are with you and I stopped by. Hugs your friend forever Lilyruth
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This blog is one I had to think about.
It is a real problem. When I was teaching, it came up every year and
there was no getting around it. Someone
would get their feelings hurt because of
the rude whispering that looked like
they were talking about somebody and we
would have to discuss it and they would
decide they wanted to make a rule that
you couldn't do it even if it was something totally innocent. But with
adults, it's not all that easy. I
believe some people do it on purpose
to put themselves at better advantage.
I think I finally concuded that it was
somebody who rather enjoyed other people's misery and I wouldn't be able
to change them because they like the
way they are, but I can include the
people they are trying to leave out
and just do the right thing whether
they do or not. Political parties
kind of do that and all you can do is
try to be above it. Exhibit the right
thing to do by going out of your way
to include the people who felt vitimized. I saved the notes at the
end of the year from thoughtful students
who expressed how much it meant to them
that we cared enough to talk about it.
Even ones who were in little groups
when they entered in the fall were glad
not to have to worry about it. I worried
that some of the greatest offenders had
their mothers request to let them be in
my room so they could be with other people they thought were popular, but
even they learned to be thoughtful and
wanted to prove that could be thoughtful
and caring. The rudeness we see in the
news lately is part of this--like it is
okay to say almost anything if it's
political. But it is not okay and it's
not okay to pile on to somebody who
went over the line. Kids start by
putting their hand over their mouth
and rolling their eyes. Grownups
speak low like they favor the person
they are talking to which leaves every-
bodyelse out. It's not right and it
will not gain friends in the long run.
Our friends know we don't talk about
people and we like to be with other
people who are thougtful as well.
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We do Whispering at Family Gatherings, using internet, coz all my love one are in other country, we use net using cam, to see each other. if i miss them i pm them thru ym.
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I believe adults that whisper as you have discribed is completely rude. Something similar, in my opinion, is texting when you are visiting with someone. It is so much like whispering. Especially when they read the text and then laugh. Reminds me so much of elementary school. They rarely tell you what was so funny.
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