To many readers, the article had a "tone" about it, one that did not invite sympathy. Except that bit about her mom. If she held focus there, and didn't go on and on about what an amazing career she has, and how she has no problem getting men/women, the article would have been more sympathetic.

Fair enough, but the comments would be rather dull if those who disliked a particular article kept mum. Plus, feedback is good. The author will read it or hear about it, and be like "wow - that went over like a fart in church - I better up my game."

I don't see much a problem with that. She is 28, compared her 5-year relationship to a 10-year marriage, rakes her mom and friends over the coals, and can't keep her shit together at work. Breakups suck. But jesus christ, she is the problem here. Your friends and mom are trying to be supportive, and because they are…

I feel bad for this woman that she is going through a break-up, but this whole piece just reminds me of my journal entries from when I was 19. It's dripping with self-importance, self-pity and and an inflated ego.

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your loved ones and your divorce. Those things are all painful and I'm very sorry.

Nope. Not analogous at all. As someone who has been through both breakups and multiple deaths of loved ones, I find that downright offensive. Being dumped by my boyfriend was not the same as losing my best friend to a heroin overdose. SORRY, TRY AGAIN.

You tell people what you need in person, in private.

The "right" to express emotional vulnerability at work largely depends on the work that you're doing.

Part of being a 28 year old professional vice president is the ability to learn to put your game face on when it comes time to work.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to go a lawyer's office and see them…

It sounds like we basically agree.

I think there is also a point when it's appropriate to ask, "Are my needs appropriate? Am I demanding that my needs be met to the detriment of other people's needs?" I have had to have conversations with friends who were dealing with breakups where I had to tell them, "Look, I cannot continue to be you friend in this…

Yes,I'm going to rush right out and console this poor girl! (Point being - we're NOT HER FRIENDS.)

Being in pain and sharing your pain is fine.

Ooh! So I'm allowed to tell you that the whole 'supportive mother Theresa' act really doesn't sit well when done in favor of drivel like this?.. Awesome then! Thanks a bunch.

I really don't think just being a woman, or just writing for this website, automatically entitles you to endless amounts of compassion - if you're dead wrong and kindof an ass.

Didn't the author just say that her friends, who obviously had good intentions, said totally "fucked up" things to her? I could do without that friend too. As I originally said, in an effort to not offend someone who seems to WANT to be offended, I will just avoid the situation altogether.

How do I know she would not find some way to be offended by that? "You're SORRY?! How dare you!"

yeah, no one at work needs to know if you're professional; I got my heart trampled upon in grad school and my advisor, who I interacted with every day, thought I just had really bad allergies :) Everyone deals with stuff differently; the author seems to be playing the victim. I can't imagine many people would take…

"Lady commenters" are very supportive when support is warranted.

OK, but conversations are longer than one line. If someone is telling you all about their breakup you seem more than a little nuts if you just kept repeating "I'm sorry. What can I do?" over and over again.

All you've really done here is scare me into not saying anything to anyone who is going through a break up. In fact, I will now avoid them altogether for fear of saying the wrong thing the wrong way. If I did have a break up, my boss would never know it from dealing with me. I keep that shit at home.