A few years ago, I was introduced to a very nice woman. As I was shaking her hand I was not thinking about her. Through gossip, (unconfirmed of course, but that’s always the case with gossip) I had heard some details of her personal life that I had no right to know. That’s what I was thinking about.

It was definitely an unfair situation. I felt sympathy for her and guilt for having enjoyed (full disclosure) listening to the gossip. At the time, I did not know I’d be meeting her shortly afterward.

Under normal circumstances, most of us get to control how much of our personal lives become public. In this case, this woman’s marriage was being widely discussed and she had no control over the information.

Perhaps, in the way that some marriages go, she was aware of the rumours and was choosing to deal with it in her own way. Maybe the couple was in marital counselling, maybe divorce counselling. Gossip has a habit of being one-sided.

In that moment of introduction, it was up to me to dismiss the gossip and meet her on her terms, because in reality, I knew nothing about this woman or her husband that was any of my business to know. End of story.

This situation happened more than a few years ago — as far as I know, the couple is still married, and it is still none of my business.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog.  Your comments, questions, ideas and suggestions are always welcome.  You can comment here, or choose between Facebook, Twitter, or the contact button.  

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  I keep it short and to the point.  Topics are as wide ranging as a straight but not narrow path.