Need advice on a human relations problem.

[Raven]

I have been taking painting classes for the last year. They are given in Town at a local store that specializes in crafts and unfinished wood products. The couple who own the store and the painting teacher have been good friends...until lately. I am friends with all of these people.

I now find myself in the position of hearing these folks complain about eachother. The couple complains about my friend the teacher and she complains about them. I feel like I'm in the middle of a ping pong match. Some of the things these people are saying about eachother are not very nice. I am afraid that the relationship is going to end between them and with that, the painting classes will end.

I am tempted to get myself involved in this but I suspect that I'll end up pissing them all off. Any suggestions?

[BigMcLargehuge]

1. don't get involved

just state to each party, when either starts to complain about the other, "this is between you and them and I don't want to be part of it"

[nini]

2. agreed... cut them off and encourage them to talk to each other

if you get in the middle, you'll be the problem when they make up.

[gpandas]

3. you said it all,big n/t

[LynzM]

4. Just tell them flat-out

I understand that you're frustrated, but that's really between you and them, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't put me in the middle. Say it as many times as it takes!

[VelmaD]

5. It's hard to disagree...

with all the people who are gonna tell you to not get in the middle of this. And the advice to try to get them to talk to each other instead of griping to you is good advice.

But...when this happens with my friends I feel bound as their friend to try to help. You might want to consider volunteering to act as an honest-broker or suggest they find a neutral third party to do so if they or you aren't comfortable with you in that role. Either way, I'd recommend getting them all in one place to talk it out rather than letting the situation fester any more.