Gossip Will Alienate Others at Work

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

A few months ago I had a big fight with a friend of mine that had to do with a guy I liked at work. We stopped being friends mainly because I really didn't enjoy her company. Now she's coming to work in my workplace. She's a big gossip, and I'm sure she'll tell everyone what happened. I'm afraid it's going to make me look very immature and hurt my chances in the future. Should I try to be friends with her again to minimize the damage, ignore it and hope everyone will forget, or look into a transfer?

Signed,

Help

Dear Help,

You won't have to do any of the above. Gossips, especially vicious ones, have a way of alienating others all by themselves. Stay clear of this person, be cordial and businesslike at work, but don't go out of your way to be friends. If they ask you about what happened between the two of you, just shrug it off, act like it was no big deal, and it will diffuse anything she has to say. Your coworkers will find out what type of person she is soon enough.