Employee shares clever trick to stop colleagues from gossiping in another language in office

Office is a space where we build the other half of our life and form a work family with whom we spend significant hours of a day. It is not necessary that we get along with everyone and that’s okay. But we should also never let anyone make us feel bad about belonging to a place when we are trying to fit in and adjust. It might not be possible for us to learn about and stop everyone from gossiping about us behind our back but a woman named Nicole (@ncolealexandria) on TikTok is going viral for sharing a trick using which an employee can stop their work nemeses from gossiping about them, that too, in another language.

Nicole said in the video, “If you are the only person who doesn’t speak the common gossip language and have a sneaking suspicion that they’re talking about you, listen to this.” She then explained that this hack was for situations where you have a gorging feeling that something is not right and there are “two nemeses” and you feel they’re talking about you. She then said, “If you want it to stop, learn how to say these 2 words in that language.” Nicole then mentioned the words, “Excuse me” and “Go ahead.” She emphasized learning how to say the two words in the language being used at your workplace or surroundings.

Nicole then elaborated on the hack. She said it would be ideal to use these words in regular interactions with the people you think are gossiping about you. She cited an example saying, “You see them in the breakroom, they’re by the coffee machine and you want to get some coffee, you just go and say, ‘excuse me’ in their language.” She added, “You take the thing you need and go. Don’t give them time to ask you any questions.” As for the second word suggested by Nicole, she gave a sample scenario too.

She mentioned “go ahead” as the second word and said, “If your colleagues are walking and trying to pass you, learn how to say, ‘go ahead,’ in that language.” Nicole again mentioned going about your business after saying the phrase so that you’re not bombarded with any follow-up conversation or questions. Further in the video, she explained the need to know the aforementioned phrases. “It’s very easy to say ‘hi’ or ‘ ‘bye’ or ‘where’s the bathroom?’ in different languages. How often do you know how to say, ‘Excuse me’ or ‘Go ahead’ in another language?”

Nicole then explained that it is easy for several people to use basic phrases in different languages due to their genuine and repetitive nature. However, with rare phrases, as suggested by her, is different. She further said, “So now, when you say that, you’ve planted a little bit of doubt. That’s all you need. A little bit of doubt in the minds of your nemesis.” She added that the colleagues would then wonder whether you speak the language they have been gossiping about you all along.

With this thought in mind, Nicole said they would have to be more careful and can’t be as “slick” as before. Towards the end of the video, she also gave a heads up on what to say if you’re asked about your knowledge of the question. “Say, ‘I know enough',” she added. Commenters were all game with this hack. @ginghamyimby said, “Gonna drop a ‘have a nice day’ too while leaving.” @reneesanton said, “I have done this, it works!” 

You can follow @ncolalexandria on TikTok for similar content.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on September 25, 2023. It has since been updated.