English
We all know the saying “If there´s smoke there´s fire”, but beware!, Even though conventional wisdom is often correct, rumours have two sides and one of these shows clearly how we relate to and judge other people. For this reason, if there’s smoke, it doesn’t always mean there’s fire
It is no secret that we live in a world where stories and rumours about others, especially if they hurt the people involved, spread with tremendous ease, not to mention if these people are famous people we see on television or the Internet.
But clearly there is no need to be famous, more than ever; we may find ourselves involved in a rumour circulating in some of our social circles that has little to do with reality. Sociological explanations of the rumour say that they help us to socialize and meet people with whom we interact through social constructions. Our ideas about others are extremely vague and often arbitrary, an sometimes, just seeing a person is enough to make assumptions about their life and personality, for example if we see a good-looking man, dressed smartly in suit and good manners, it will make it harder to believe in rumours that are inconsistent with the social image that he shows. This sounds simple and seems at first glance like it helps us to maintain a social vision which is shared and mental order. But what happens with the thousands of rumours that seem to be unfounded, that share in the salon, with our neighbours in the shop up the block or in the hallways at work?
Rumours are not always about people, but also sometimes events and news, etc… Many times we see people who we thought had common sense share some rumours that seem no just absurd, but false or absolutely untrue. What is the social function of these rumours and why do they spread so easily? Most of these rumours circulate and gain credibility for many because they are based on beliefs, feelings (positive or negative) expectations and, most important, the interests of the people who share them. Just think of the rumours relationship with our feelings: rumours can cause socially shared revulsion or anger, which makes them easier to spread. They also spread because it is easy to relate to strangers through them, in the doctor’s office or the hallways of the building. Rumours spread like wild fire because they are easy to share… But do you really think everything you hear is true? Maybe you shouldn’t put so much faith in the crowd.
Do not be misled by false rumours, and if you’re the victim of them, why not take a trip to Istanbul? Get lost among the crowds in this cosmopolitan city and rent apartments in Istanbul to escape from the unkind words of your acquaintances.
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