Asking Eric: This neighbor seems nice but I hear she's a liar. Should I ignore her overtures?
Briefly

Asking Eric: This neighbor seems nice but I hear she's a liar. Should I ignore her overtures?
"I'm no judge but there seems to be a lot of hearsay happening here. The neighbor who gave you the warning was vague in a way that perhaps suggests discretion, but in reality, only muddies the waters. Either say something helpful (and objectively true) or say nothing at all; a blanket warning hews too close to gossip for my taste. If you want to be friends with this other neighbor, trust your judgment and proceed with caution, just as you would with anyone else."
"The letter writer wrote, I have developed close relationships with others in the extended family but dread dealing with these relatives again. This struck a chord with me. When my sister-in-law told me she never wanted to speak to me again, I was relieved. Having made a diligent effort to mend the broken fence of the moment and being unequivocally rejected, I no longer had to chase a friendship that would never materia"
One neighbor warned to avoid another neighbor, calling her a liar, without offering specifics. Vague warnings that rely on hearsay create uncertainty and resemble gossip. Either provide objective, helpful information or refrain from making blanket cautions. Trust personal judgment and proceed with caution when deciding whether to pursue friendship. Maintaining brief, cordial interactions such as hellos or holiday cards is a valid choice. Another account describes relief after a sister-in-law declared permanent no-contact following attempts at reconciliation. Being unequivocally rejected can free someone from continuing to chase a friendship that will not materialize.
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