Nasty Bit of Cattiness

I heard a nasty little story the other day, and I just keep thinking about it. I was talking to my friend, who works in administration at the school I used to work at. A parent called to ask a question. My friend didn't have the answer, so referred her to another staff member. The parent replied, "Oh, is she the one whose husband is cheating on her?"

OK - is that just the coldest, cattiest thing to say? This parent didn't even know my friend, and she didn't know the other woman. Did she really think that was acceptable thing to say in a polite, business conversation? I know it happens on TV, but I guess I didn't really think people were like that in real life.