The Real Housewives Of Melbourne is an international hit, providing an insider view of the lifestyles of the wealthy and extravagant women of Victoria, where they reveal insights into their world. From love and parenting to friends and relationships. But we thought we’d delve a little deeper into Gamble Breaux’s world. Here, the art collector and consultant tells the friendship sins she’s learnt valuable lessons from and her secrets to being a great mate.
Sin #1 Mixing With The Wrong People
“Be careful who you mix with in the first place. If you have a feeling someone is not all that they seem, trust your instinct. People can be very entertaining and have big, enticing personalities, but that doesn’t always mean they are a great friend. I had a friend many years ago who stole jewellery and money from me and then when I severed the friendship, she slandered me. I had a bad feeling about her the first time we met, but then developed a friendship anyway. I should have trusted my instincts.”
Sin #2 Lending Money To Friends
“It’s always a bad idea to lend money to friends. I’ve lent money in the past, when I was much younger, and when you are struggling to pay your rent and someone owes you money, it can create a big wedge in the friendship.”
Sin #3 Breaching Confidentiality
“Breaching confidentiality is a big sin. Once your friend tells you something and you’ve repeated it, you have broken the trust – and that trust can never be rebuilt. Not only will you have lost the friendship, but you will be the one with egg on your face.”
Sin #4 Gloating About Yourself
“It’s fine to share your successes with your friends, but don’t gloat. I did this many years ago when I started dating a wealthy man, paying for dinners and gloating about it. I remember a friend saying to me at the time, ‘Gamble, it’s a long way to the top, and an even longer way to fall. Remember who your real friends are and treasure them.’ That advice really stuck with me.”
Sin #5 Not Being There For Her
“You need to be there for your friends, through all situations. If she’s single, help her write her online profile over a couple of wines and be there for her. I’ve helped friends write their online dating profiles over a couple of wines and it’s an incredibly bonding experience. You get to talk about the strengths they have that they may not even realise. But DON’T ever publish it until the next day. Always give it a ‘sober edit’ beforehand!”
Sin #6 Revealing All To Her Partner
“We tell our girlfriends things we may not even tell our partners, but revealing things in front of her partner about your sex life, your weekend activities, warts and all tales or drug use can reflect badly on your friend, especially if she is in a settled relationship. It’s fine to tell your girlfriend, but not in front of her partner.”
ABOUT: The Real Housewives of Melbourne premiers Sunday February 21 at 8:30pm only on Foxtel’s Arena. Season 3 sees the return of housewife favourites Chyka Keebuagh, Gamble Breaux, Gina Liano, Jackie Gillies, Janet Roach, Lydia Schiavello and Pettifleur Berenger. This season they’re also joined by Melbourne socialite and country girl turned Toorak Housewife, Susie McLean.