What's the etiquette when someone from OLD (years ago) texts you out of the blue?

[QuentinQuarantino]

Have been with DP for 2.5 years.

Someone I spoke to (not at great length) but never met up with (he was a wee bit 🚩) from OLD has sent me a slightly OTT complimentary WhatsApp message (well the first line is complimentary anyway! Have only read it in preview).

Do I:

A) reply with a vague 'Thanks. Hope you're well.' type response.

B) reply with a really subtle "Thanks. Must be all the good dick I'm getting from my MAN" cock-blocking response.

Or

C) Display the morals of an alley cat and delete without reading.

Option A) I'm worried could still be construed as encouraging a conversation

Option B) I'm aware comes off as "Erm, I have a boyfriend, leave me alone". But then, he's obviously not texting me to ask about my Auntie Susan or ask for my lockdown banana bread recipe is he?

Option C) is mean, I know but do I really owe him a response?

Oh and I tell DP, right? I'm not trying to make it into a big deal but we've both been through the wringer with dishonest cheats in our previous relationships so transparency seems crucial to me.

Also, yes I am aware I am possibly overthinking this ever so slightly.

Just delete it and forget about it. It's been years. Its not like you had a relationship. Just a rando off the internet.

I've been in a similar situation in the past and told my DP straight away. He actually found it funny and teased me about attracting weirdos I also replied to the guy saying;
"Hi, that's nice of you to say but just to let you know I'm in a relationship now. Please don't think I'm being rude but dont want to you on"
He never replied which was fine lol

*dont want to lead you on

Block him and forget it. It is not mean, ffs. You don't owe him anything, and you are not obligated to respond.

And yes, I would tell Dp.

I’d just delete it. You didn’t solicit it and the person you should be concerned about being mean to isn’t him.

I block & delete

I would tell your DP. I wouldn’t reply to it , I think that whatever you say would just be encouraging. So just delete as it’s pointless doing anything else. You don’t owe him politeness.

Just delete. He will have messaged loads of women so A = chase me and B = wastes his time opening it. Maybe also block?

If you delete and block, what's there to tell your partner? It is literally a non event. Nothing has happened.

I’m genuinely confused about your C options.

It’s not mean or displaying poor morals to just delete a message from a veritable stranger.

Just delete it and forget about it.

And I might tell husband but I might not. I don’t tell him about all the spam messages I get so probably wouldn’t bother.

I would just ignore and delete as i have done several times in the past. Why on earth would you need to tell your partner a stranger feom years ago has sent you a text your not interested in replying too?

And yes, I would tell Dp

But why? Its a total none event. It wouldnt even cross my mind to tell anyone about this.

Delete!