Was I mean to “gloat” at someone’s failure?

[strawberrysorbets]

I’m feeling guilty. I’d had a glass or two of wine to be fair.

Back story:

Met a woman during an interview process a few years back. She was quite dismissive of me due to my working class back ground and due to the area I came from. She was super confident and thought she was a dead set for the job. Anyways, we saw each other a few times in the application process and always sensed a snooty attitude. After I got knocked out of the process (aka rejected) she sent me a snobby message and then proceeded to block me on facebook. (Silly I know, but at the time it was nice to be able to discuss the application process with). I’d later heard she’d said things such as me never having a chance.

Well turns out she was rejected from the next stage too and then failed her academic requirement so settled for a much lower job elsewhere.

As it happens, a friend works for that company and said how much of a horrible woman she was to her. The woman even wrote an entire blog about how it’s not her fault she failed ! Plus how she hated everyone she met.

OK I thought, leave her behind in the past.

Then I was travelling through central London and who appears in my carriage. Said woman.

I couldn’t resist going to chat to her. I asked her how she was doing; knowing she didn’t get in and then told her that her current job was “decent.” Then proceeded to tell her that I’d re-applied and got in; one of the strongest applicant from hundreds.

I feel like such a bitch for gloating in her misery.

I would have maybe floated to myself. But to make the choice to go up to someone with the intention of making them feel bad, regardless of the past, which let’s face it should have stayed there, sounds pathetic to me. If you’re happy with what you did then that’s all that matters really. Would be interesting if she got a better job and seen you so gloated. Bet you wouldn’t like that.

Gloated, rather.

As long as it was a one off gloat to someone who was a snidey cow and wished you unwell, then I think it's okay.. it's karma. But keep it as a one off and don't make it part of your character!

A bit mean but I don't blame you.

she will not be able to connect the comment to her past behaviour

This. She’s not going to think ‘Gosh, that’s taught me a lesson not to underestimate people!’

She’s going to think that any lack of grace on your part confirms her views on working class people.