Being stood up.

To err is human, forgive divine, eh? You're right. If it is a simple misunderstanding, you shouldn't dump a relationship of many years. But it is frustrating when someone, upon finding out what they've done, ignores the hurt they've inflicted. Being stood up on blind dates is awful. Especially when people will not respond. I think it's better when someone is clear from the beginning instead of taking the coward's way out of trying to hide. (However, I've been guilty of the coward route, myself). It is better to be forthright with people, not mean spirited, but honest in the long run. I think people respect you more. But, like so many things, it's not the easy road to stand in front of someone and say they're not right for you. I don't know many people who enjoy hurting other people that way. And if I did, I wouldn't want to know them for long. :)

That's just not right. There was a saying I saw once, "A lack of planning on your part does not equal a crisis on my part." So often, people think they can play around with people this way. Saying to themselves that it'll be okay the other person can handle it. But that's not the way this is supposed to work. Especially, when someone else's work hangs in the balance. I'm sorry that you're in that position. It's wrong that they treated you that way. What happened to civility and respect? To pulling your own weight and sticking to your commitments?

How would you handle it if they approach you? Do you confront them about their behavior? Or do you keep it coldly civil? Both approaches have been touted as the right way to handle it, but I'm never sure which applies and when. Thank you. I think it really does cross a line when you do something like that to someone else. Especially, if there is no explanation for the behavior but selfishness. It's unfair to expect people to tolerate treatment like that.