I remember when I first separated some women seemed threatened by me and my new status. One time in particular stands out. I went to a barbacue one year for my kids soccer team and the women all hung out together in one corner and many of the men talked to me. The women did not include me at all and I felt really out of place. I think for married women it represents fear, a reality that it could happen to them and they don't want to be reminded. I felt like I had a disease, the broken marriage disease. I think they felt sorry for me. During that time I was not myself and people noticed so they reacted to me differently. I have alot more confidence now (after 10 years). I do so many things on my own and am so used to it that I don't notice how the men or women behave anymore. I do know that because I'm more confident it seems that married women are more at ease around me. Kate