"No one likes a tattletale." Should this apply to adults as well?

[LostInAnomie]

Poll question: "No one likes a tattletale." Should this apply to adults as well?

[petronius]

1. You said a bad word - I'm telling Skinner!

In other words, yes.

[nolabear]

2. There's wise informing and then there's tattling. Tattletales get off on it.

[Skittles]

3. there's tattling and then there's whistleblowing

huge difference

[Demoiselle]

9. Exactly, Skittles. nt

[jobycom]

4. I wonder how many kids never report on bullying because of that stupid saying.

I wonder how many would rather kill themselves than be branded with that hateful label.

It's a rule made by bullies to protect bullies, and shouldn't apply to kids or adults.

[woo me with science]

5. This has always bothered me, too,

Although I don't think it's as simple as "never," I think the message can be a very poisonous one.

The "no snitch" rule with regard to crime is a huge problem in some troubled neighborhoods, too.

[iris27]

6. I never understood it as a kid, so, no. Don't think it should apply to anyone.

Always seemed like an adult's lame excuse not to have to get off their ass and investigate what was usually battery-level abuse (if it had happened to an adult, of course) out in the backyard/on the playground.

[Lisa0825]

7. Both kids and adults should know when something needs to be reported and when it doesn't.

A lady I know has a child who constantly says "Jane did this!" "Jane did that!" the entire time she is supposedly playing with Jane, who is a pretty good kid. It's like all she knows how to do is tattle. And it is extremely tiresome. Jane's mother has taken to replying, "If Jane hasn't drawn blood, I don't want to hear it!"

I also know a coworker who goes to the boss for lots of minor infractions. It is really detrimental to teamwork.

There really is a time to tattle and a time to shutthefuckup.

[alarimer]

8. I have a coworker like that.

Ordinarily he's a pretty good guy but if you do something wrong, even the most trivial, he goes to the boss with it.
It makes me feel like I have to walk on eggshells and watch myself constantly.
Of course, I think the boss gets tired of hearing that stuff too, so most of the time the boss never acts on whatever it is this guy complains about.