Colleague

QUESTION Dear Irene, I took a new job and became friendly with a woman named Gina. Gina told me about her past mistakes and seemed very consumed wit...

A little more than a year ago I began a friendship with a female co-worker. We are both married and it never went beyond the friendship stage nor did either or us want it to.

Women have an extraordinarily difficult time ending their friendships, even very toxic ones. It's not surprising. Like divorce, the potential losses can be staggering, extending well beyond the friendship per se.

What seems like a minor slight to one friend can be blown out of proportion by another. It's always uncomfortable when there is a schism between two close friends, especially if they work together.