The writer explained that he and the woman met on the job, though they work in different departments, and that their breakup was “badly” ended, leaving the entire office aware of the split.
Since the breakup, he says he is greeted with smiles and chatter when he walks past the woman, but encounters silence and intense stares when he approaches other coworkers’ desks, creating an “extremely awkward” environment for him.
He admits he still harbors strong feelings for his former partner, believes they are reciprocated, and has given her the silent treatment after she ended the relationship, a tactic he now regrets but feels unable to reverse.
In her response, Dear Abby—written by Jeanne Phillips, who has helmed the column for nearly four decades—pointed out that the man’s own behavior is fueling the awkwardness, urging him to stop the silent treatment, speak to her as a colleague, and either bury the hatchet or consider looking for a new job if he cannot be professional.
Dear Abby, founded in 1956 by Pauline Phillips and now authored by her daughter, continues to field personal dilemmas like this one, offering readers direct, no‑nonsense counsel on interpersonal challenges.