What would you think if this were your friend?

[CantEvenThinkOfANickname]

Firstly, let me say that this isn't about me. I'm not directly affected by it.

A few months ago a friend of mine stopped wearing his wedding ring. It turns out we'd all noticed, but no one had commented as we're not a gossipy group. About a fortnight ago, someone passed a comment about his wife and he just gave an odd, non committal response.

Clearly, it's none of our business and we won't directly ask him.

But is there likely to be an innocuous reason for a man to remove his wedding ring, seemingly permanently, having always worn one previously?

He isn't the sort to have an affair. Always assumed he was happily married. He hasn't lost or gained weight.

I stopped wearing mine when I separated from my ex.
If people had asked me I may or may not have told them. The reality of the situation is that I think an incredible amount of people are thinking / talking about things that aren't their business.
If he stopped wearing his ring, how does it impact you? Or any of your friends? Unless someone in your group (you?) fancies him?

Either ask him outright or do what real friends would do. Wait it out and wait for someone to tell you if it means anything.

If he were my friend I'd try to find a time to ask him about it when there were no other people around.

If he were just an acquaintance, who would not want to tell me about illness or relationship issues, then I would not.

I agree Trills. When I've had my problems in the past I've felt very alone, there have been times I've wished somebody would have noticed I was struggling but didnt, or certainly didn't let on if they had.