In the weeks after I called my wedding off, I was a little…prickly. But even so, I couldn't believe how, in lieu of comfort, friends, family and acquaintances could offer up such stunningly idiotic words. Myriads said, "It's just cold feet; he'll be back." (Huh? Have you not heard a thing I'm saying?) A doltish few sympathized with, "You must have been embarrassed to call all those people" (Embarrassment never crossed my mind. Thanks for introducing it.)

I started a file I kindly named Idiot Quotes, and asked other Almost Brides to add to it. If you love someone with a broken engagement, tape these to your fridge and solemnly swear you'll never utter them. If you have broken an engagement, laugh with me, and remember: People love you, they just don't know what to say.

• Was it really that bad?
• Did you give the ring back? Why?
• In six months, you'll call me from Vegas and tell me you're married.
• I'd think the hardest thing would be realizing how wrong you were. Didn't you lose a lot of money?
• There's no one left-we're old and everyone's married.
• I can't tell you it's going to get better. I'm not one of those people who believes it does.
• Did you ignore the signs?
• We had the same problem -- but my husband really wanted to be with me, so it worked out.
• When I heard I called Jane and she said, 'I can't believe it, I thought they were the perfect couple.'
• Was he gay?
• Was he cheating on you?
• Were you cheating on him?