Good Manners vs. Keeping Your Sanity

[preciousjeni]

Hey all!! I have a question pertaining to events that have happened throughout my life. And, I never quite know what's appropriate.

I'll start with an example:

Jane Doe is very active in a civic organization. But, she has made a career switch and she will be unable to maintain her level of activity. She starts to take herself out of the mix, but she meets great resistance. There's a lot of pressure for her to stay. She doesn't want to be rude but finally musters the courage to force herself to believe she will not stay where it is unhealthy for her. She tells the people once and for all that she is leaving and that's that - but of course in a "nice" way.

So, members of that organization start calling her and leaving cruel or inflammatory messages on her answering machine. The messages aren't necessarily that bad, but she doesn't want to deal with these people at all anymore.



Does she not answer and not return the calls? Is that childish? Does she have any further responsibilities to these people?

Edited for a typo...