I was in a work situation with someone at the centre of a nasty relationship - new relationships on both sides - divorce proceedings - community gossip situation.

I decided to never open the subject on the theory that she would then have 8 protected hours a day when she didn't have to worry about it or worry about what I as thinking about it/her/ everyone and everything.

She very much appreciated it. To have space and time to be herself - a very good and experienced child care worker - and not the person temporarily at the centre of attention for all this "spicy" gossip and being all confused and mixed up with the turmoil of ending and beginning a relationship at the same time