There's a block function for a reason. Use it.
Dear Prudence,
My old friend Nancy has been reaching out to me on Facebook Messenger. In the mid-’90s, she called me the C-word, twice, while we were at a neighborhood bar.
After that I didn’t have anything else to do with her. These recent attempts to contact me are the first I’ve heard from her in years. I haven’t ignored or encouraged her; I’ve responded without being either rude or friendly.
This week, my brother accompanied a friend to buy furniture he’d heard about through an online ad. It turned out to be at Nancy’s late mother’s house. Nancy embarrassed my brother, in front of his friend, by telling him what she called me all those years ago, tried to apologize to him for it, and explained that she had been drunk at the time. I’m 63 years old, and we were friends in high school. She had a triple bypass this year. Her immediate family has all passed away. She has no husband or children. She’s probably lonely. Not wanting to be mean, rude, or hurtful, how do I tell her, I’m not interested?
—Thanks but No Thanks
Re: There's a block function for a reason. Use it.
My parents are around the age of the LW and the petty shit that comes from them interacting on FB knows no bounds. My mom doesn't engage, but she tells me about it. It's like teenagers, but somehow worse since they all should know better.
I don't think the brother should have been embarrassed because Nancy embarrassed herself by bringing up the "feud". Brother should have just said "I think that is something you should speak to my sister about."
I do wonder what Nancy is saying in these messages. Is she or has she apologized for what was said years ago? If the answer is no, then I think LW should respond once and say "Nancy, I do not wish to have any further contact. I wish you well". If she did apologize, then I think LW should acknowledge the apology, but still wish her well and have nothing to do with her. "Nancy, thank you for the apology. I have moved on in my life, but do not wish you restart up our friendship. I wish you well in life."
After the message of choice is delivered, LW should block Nancy.
I don't care about these people, but wanted to share that I have been facebook blocked. She's a neighborhood acquaintance with a couple of kids so we have a ton of friends in common. The only reason I can think of is political- I am acquaintances with a trustee that she actively loathes. She loathes this trustee so much that she actually started a facebook group that is essentially an anti Lisa campaign (even though Lisa is not even running). It's all very strange, especially considering I NEVER post political stuff.