so I don't feel right trying t ogive her a hug

it sounds like she's getting broken up with over IM

oh ew

poor girl

to make her feel better but thinks she might feel worse if she figures out that the girl 3 cubes away can hear her crying

to enact a "no talking to me about the crap when I'm at work" rule with the ex-live-in-ex, not that he kept to it

you are very sweet to care about someone you don't know

what's up with the IM breakup? soooo bullshit!

I know her and she seems nice but I don't know her well, which I think would make her feel worse

I don't know that it's a breakup but she is definitely fighting with someone

she's typing very loudly

and she didn't stop typing even when she was sobbing

she has done work on my project but for the other team

she is a pastry chef and she has been taking a chocolate class so she brings in hand-made truffles

it's Ok to ask her if you can help - she might appreciate it

always mortified when I started crying in the office fighting with the ex. It would have made me more mortified

would agree with that too Jen. She might just want space right now. Maybe after she's done typing furiously and making a voodoo doll.

yeah, I'd just give her time but maybe strike up a normal chat tomorrow.

when I know my co-workers are going through stuff like that, and I appreciate their space I leave them nice things at their desk

but she can go to the bathroom if she wants privacy. She's got to know people can hear her.

without interaction so they can choose, if that makes sense. Shows you care without forcing yourself ifykwim

I just wouldn't blatantly avoid her; might make her feel worse in that case.

she seems to be doing better now. If she starts crying again I might bring her the emergency yodel button

www.mcphee.com/items/118...

not blatantly avoiding her. I haven't gotten up and I don't have to walk by her desk to get anywhere

what is the emergency yodel button?

click on the mcphee link. It's... literally... an emergency yodel button