If someone tells you a secret..

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If someone told you a secret in work, does that mean you cannot tell anyone in the world about it, or is it just the people at work who you can't tell?

The thing is, that my colleague told me something, and I was wondering if it would be ok to tell my daughter about it. It's not that I've got a burning desire to divulge it or anything, but it's been on my mind.

What would any of you do, if you don't mind me asking?

Hello,

NT here.

No, a secret (unless it's criminal, harmful to sb or sth like that - then it ought to be told to the right people and not just to anybody) is a secret and a confidence should be respected.

Even if no one "outside" finds out about your breach of confidence - you yourself would know. And - if you are the person you seem to be (because you think and ask about it) you probably wouldn't feel good with yourself.

Greetings

Ennik

Thanks NT

You are right, I wouldn't feel very good about myself if I told anyone.

Its hard to judge sometimes, and depends on what the secret is to a point. But the main thing is that you tell no one that could in some way reveal it to those your friend at work doesn't want to know about it. So if its totally safe to tell your daughter, I don't see a problem, unless it is something really embarrassing to your friend.

^^Well that's what I was thinking, because my daughter will never come into contact with anyone from my work.

I've just never been sure about the whole secret thing. People do tell me stuff in confidence all the time, and I can't remember ever breaching a confidence.

I suppose it's one of those areas in life where you have a moral obligation.

Hmm question I got from thinking about this thread;


How do you know when someone tells you a secret? Do they have to explicitly state "keep this quiet" or "this is a secret"?

Well, she didn't say that it was a secret, but she told me it in a secretive way and asked me not to tell anyone else. She also said that she had not told anyone else, not even her mother or her gran.


I just took it that it was a secret.

Tell a pet if you have one, they won't pass it on.

I don't own any animals, but I think you are right in your advice. I think I do need to just get it out of my system.

Maybe I could write it down on a piece of paper and read it back to myself or something.

Yes I agree that would be the best thing. Since she asked you not to tell anyone else, even if she herself tells the whole world, you should still honor her request.

For me personally, any secrets told me, stay with me.

There have been occasions where I've been told secrets by someone and could have told others about it in other circles, but I never have. Even if I know there was no chance of them knowing, I just wouldn't.
To me it feels good to know them and keep them. Trust placed in me is very sacred to me.


I have never understood the need some have to tell others about it. That wasn't aimed at you, BB, it was a general comment on those who are told something and can't wait to tell someone else.

I learned my lesson about keeping secrets when I was 4 (but still failed once when I was 11). I am proud to say it hasn't happened since. It's one of the few qualities I truly like in myself.

Yeah, I like it that I can keep a secret too. But sometimes, it is like being full of secrets. I'd like a jar or something to store them all in.

Tell a tree. They know how to keep secrets and also, they give really good advice.

That's an excellent idea. Thanks.

I've got loads of trees round me.

i work with people with addiction issues and am used to being a repository of peoples secrets. it is highly unethical for me to divulge anyone's personal information unless there is a danger to themselves others or if it may be a legal issue. sometimes it helps to talk to someone about the issues of the secret without revealing any personal details i have a cat who is the best listener ever, she probably tells all my secrets to the neighborhood cats though