One of the most insidious forms of bullying is that of social
exclusion and many of those who come to us for assistance have been
victims of it.

The most obvious form is that which is commonly seen among children,
"you can't be my friend if you are friends with hin/her".

Sound familiar?  We have all heard it and it is common in schoolyards
around the world.  It owuld be nice to think that adults are mature
enough not to do this but sadly that is not the case.  They are
generally more subtle in it but it amounts to the same thing.

One has to ask the question, when one person forbids another to speak
to a third person, what are they afraid of?  What can that third
person say that is such a threat?  Perhaps it is because that third
person is not under their control.

Indeed such a prohibition says far more about the person making it
than it does about the person it refers to.

What is the solution?  That is easy, speak to however you please and
make up your own mind.  This sort of bully is often also a gossip and
manipulator.

Walk in the Light

Badger