Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How to deal with people that are bad mouthing me?

230 Answers
Last Updated: 06/11/2022 at 4:44am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Lisa Meighan, MSc Psychology

Counselor

🌈 Welcome to 7 Cups :) I work using an eclectic style of psychotherapy and we work according to your goals, preferences and needs using evidence-based practices.

Top Rated Answers
shriyaraj
June 2nd, 2019 11:14pm
Just ignore them because people who bad mouth have low self esteem themself. They are covering that by bad mouthing you. It is such a bad trait to have. But if it really hurts you them just tell to stop in their face. No body has rights to talk about other people in a bad way because everyone has their problems and we can't see them in their point of view. It us very important not to start bad mouthing them back because that's the worst thing you can do for yourself. It is never good to have bad opinions about people in your brain
MissLisa
August 21st, 2019 4:02pm
Normally this says much more about the person bad mouthing you than it does about you What is missing in her life that forces her to bad mouth someone to bring them down a peg? Speak to that person directly. Away from a crowd so that they get no external attention. Ask them out right why they are bad mouthing you. Explain to them how it is making you feel/how it is effecting you. Then ask if they could refrain from doing so in future. Speaking to the person directly normally has a better success rate than brushing it off and wishing it would go away.
Anonymous
July 13th, 2018 4:09am
Ignore them, their thoughts and opinions don't matter, what's important is being happy and satisfied with yourself regardless of other's agendas.
Anonymous
November 1st, 2019 10:03pm
People who bad mouth you, make life a lot harder as what they say can be really taken personal. For example, some people at work or school might start gossiping about you or you feel like they are judging you. Another thing is that when someone bad mouths you you start to think it might just be true. It takes a lot of courage to hear and not feel personal about it. So, ways to deal with bad mouthing there is the option of ignoring but that could make it continue or make it worse. You could confront the person and think about their life what makes them say such thing. Remember the compliments you get and try to give compliments to others.
Anonymous
November 6th, 2019 10:13am
People who are bad mouthing about you need a reaction from you to keep going. If you ignore them, they will stop eventually. If that does not help, try to confront them directly and ask why they're doing so. Sometimes, it's because they're going through something and try to vent out their anger on others. In such cases, try to remain calm and listen to them too. Also, try to find if there's any truth behind what they're saying. If someone bad mouths about you, or mentions something negative about you that might actually be correct in a little way, you have the opportunity to improve yourself. A sorted out matter is always better than a messy one.
Anonymous
April 29th, 2018 12:08pm
People who bad mouth others tend to be insecure about themselves. Holding your head up high and not letting what these people say about you, get to you is the best way to handle something like this because it shows that you are strong and the better person for rising above.
smoothOcean
November 30th, 2019 1:11am
If someone is bad mouthing me, then there is something plaguing them. So much so that they need to take it out on someone else, and that person in this case is me. To deal with the person bad mouthing me I would first be strong enough to ask why. Why are you bad mouthing me when you don't gain anything from doing so? The only thing that comes out of the situation is pain on my end. Sometimes the person may not understand how much pain and/or suffering they are causing you. If you are honest with them and clear, telling them that what they are doing is hurting you then it may change their actions and attitudes.
Jaydos96D
November 30th, 2019 5:31am
Personally I try not to listen to much negativity but I find having an open and honest discussion with the person can often bring some closure. Even if the person doesn't stop bad mouthing you at least you now have an incite into why that person may be bad mouthing you. For example they could be insecure in themselves and bad mouth other people to try and make themselves feel better about themselves. another thing is it could be something that you have done without even noticing that made that person see you in a negative way, talking about it allows you to fix these problems or let them know that you did not intend to make them feel that way.
Anonymous
November 30th, 2019 6:07pm
Depends on the effect those people have on you. If it makes you doubt yourself then they’ve won. But the things people do only reflect themselves, not you. In realizing that we all are capable of doing negative things, you forgive them and become better, get out of the cycle. If clarifying the gossips and rumors help you in anyway, or improve the situation, do it. But if not, accept them as it is, you don’t really lose anything, they just showed you who they really are, which is an important information. Hope this help.
TheRandomFail9
January 1st, 2020 6:02am
When someone is bad mouthing you, the first thing to do is think about what could be causing it. Most of the time, when someone is being rude to you, you are not the reason for their anger, only the target. I've found that, hearing people out and offering an open ear is the best way to deal with people bad mouthing you. Sometimes, when people are rude, it is hard but remembering that they are probably not mad at you I'd helpful. If you feel that you are the reason for the bad mouthing or disrespect, don't meet their bad mouthing with further disrespect. It is important to stick up for yourself and to not tolerate abuse, however I always try to hear their side. Many times they have a very legitimate problem that should be addressed.
Rivelino3
January 26th, 2020 8:30am
I would personally look at what I consider healthy or not, and for me people bad mouthing me don't deserve to be a part of my life. When I can accept what;s good for me and not, I think it would make it easier for me to make a change and remove the bad things. Now. removing them and how to remove them is a different thing when compared to acceptance of it, which is part of it too. Maybe it can be by distancing myself from them or just cutting them off altogether, unless there was a way to let them in on the fact that they are bad mouthing and how its not welcome, if they were oblivious, it would depend on the circumstances and I hope you find a way that's best for you
Anonymous
February 7th, 2018 9:42pm
Tell them straight that they need to come to you if they have something to say, or tell someone that could help you stop them together
Anonymous
December 6th, 2017 6:50pm
Tell a trusted adult. Consult a therapist or close friend. Bullying is a serious matter and can do serious harm in the long run, so don't keep it to yourself. Also, don't add fuel to the fire by bullying back. That will only make them push back harder. Instead, kill them with kindness so that they feel guilty about what they've done.
savlilley
December 5th, 2017 10:48pm
Ignore them or talk to them ask them why try and make friends be nice to them they want attention so they harass you for it instead give them the attention of being friends
Anonymous
November 17th, 2017 8:13am
Try and be nice to them and ignore any harsh words or behaviour thrown your way. Ignore their behaviour and don't retaliate to it.
Anonymous
February 26th, 2017 6:17am
Remember that people only bad mouth people who do better than them. People only talk negatively of people because it makes them feel in control. However, if several people agree, it is time to reflect. Is there something you've done? An energy you give off? While some people do it for fun, other people do it in fear.
BTDT
September 10th, 2016 6:01pm
First off I know that sometimes people just lash out at others, reasons they do are not as important as knowing that sometimes they do. Depending on the conversation/situation compassion and understanding can help avoid me taking this personally. If this kind of treatment continues or continues to escalate then it is time to ask them politely not do this. Again this really depends on the situation. If it is just a way for another to vent what they are feeling then I don't have an issue with allowing them to continue, but if they are just being mean then I would have to ask them to stop. If they don't respect my request then I would point out to them how they were being mean or bad mouthing me and if that still doesn't work then I would have to end the conversation. Depending on what was done/said will determine if I report them or not. Last think I would want to do is report them but will if necessary. Biggest thing for me is to not take this personally!
Brooks
August 18th, 2021 2:14am
Oftentimes it feels as though confronting someone that is bad mouthing you is the only answer, but it's not. Most of the time, people who have bad things to say, are just projecting their own insecurities. Just know that we're all a little bit flawed, but it's how we handle situations like this that separate us. Just keep your chin up and let the things they say fall on deaf ears. Their opinions don't define you. Focus on yourself and your own personal growth and all of that background noise will fade away. Sometimes all they want is to get a reaction. There's no need to succumb!
Anonymous
June 11th, 2017 3:06pm
I understand that such a situation is usually particularly distressing​ to anyone. You need to know that at the end of the day that if it is really not true what they are saying about you then don't pay it too much mind.
Chinmay96
September 15th, 2016 11:44am
It's easier to say that we should ignore those people as they are not important to us or they have no right to bad mouth us. But ignoring them in reality is difficult, if we do that with real patience it would work, but in my case I have found sarcasm works always. A perfect answer to their taunts makes them feel we aren't weak and thus won't target us. (ofcourse we shouldn't be like them and even Bad mouth about them)
2cupsofteaa
September 25th, 2016 1:38am
If you care about them, confront them about it and let them know that it hurts your feelings. If not, they are not worth your time!
lovelizze
July 7th, 2016 4:25pm
If you have been criticised by someone, it doesn't necessarily mean that there's something wrong about you. Sometimes, what they say about you is a reflection of their own insecurities.
AbsoIet
September 29th, 2016 3:15pm
Always focus on those who think in a different way about you, and avoid those persoms who bad mouth you, they are probably reflecting things they don't like about themselves in you, so feeling empathy sometimes helps too.
silentmirror1995
October 27th, 2016 7:28pm
You can imagine an invisible eraser and make it drag across their physique, as if to erase them totally. As if they don't exist. And then, you'll find them not deserving the slightest of your attention.
Anonymous
October 2nd, 2016 4:38am
If you can cut those people out of your life I recommend that. If you can't ignore it, don't feed them..
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2016 3:17am
Ah to understand that they may be (very likely) in pain themselves and to try and see why this said to you and to look for ways to show unconditional love and kindness to these people. It can feel really good to show grace.
Anonymous
August 8th, 2021 9:09pm
We can't change others, only ourselves. Often, people who gossip - or triangulate - do so not to intentionally hurt someone else, but because there's a shortcoming about themselves that they can't naturally address. Hence, they repeat the cycle because their own suffering persists and badmouthing is the only comforting defense mechanism they're aware of. If this is coming from a friend or family member, "true friends" don't attack other friends and the same would be applicable to kinship, in spite of blood ties. Most of the time, severing contact is the only way to completely "deal" with it; however, everyone's situation is different and sometimes that's not possible. When this is friends and family, though, the worst part is not what they spread, but that we can't enjoy a happy, healthy relationship with these people, due to their inner suffering.
EricaAnne
October 14th, 2016 7:02pm
It's understandable that you will be emotionally affected by what people think of you. It's alright to be concerned, but don't let your fear consume you. Don't worry, regardless of how bad it seems, rumours always die off because old news gets boring. Don't add fuel to the fire and just keep doing what you do. There's no pointing altering your behaviour because it shows that you're affected by what they say. As long as you have a clean conscience, all will be good. Don't retaliate. You're better than they are. :)
millyishere
July 2nd, 2021 2:24am
Hearing that people are bad mouthing you is extremely hurtful, especially when coming from close peers. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can prevent when hearing that people do. The way you can overcome the valid response you get from the news, is growing your mindset and perspective on the recipitants. Bad mouthing usually reflects a deep wound in the perpetrator, which further grants them a sense of entitlement to project their insecurities. This is wrong, however, knowledge is power- and the more you know, the less it'll surprise you. People will bad mouth you especially when they're jealous, and it's not our job to tell them that their actions aren't mature. Wisdom can heavily protect yourself from rumours, as you have the power of insight.
Anonymous
April 14th, 2021 10:56am
The best way to deal with people that are badmouthing you is to not give them any attention. If a grown person is taking time out of day day to spend talking about you and that means that they are either jealous or see you as a competitor and do not feel that they are able to compete with you hence why many week people choose the easy route of of talking bad about someone which with them in turn make that person feel and unwelcome so the best way to deal with the situations it's too not be in that vicinity and to just get out and go somewhere else I did listen to some soothing music, for a walk go for a coffee anything to take you out of that situation.