AIBU to dump old work colleague over this?

[HelloDenise]

A former work colleague has got prostate cancer and I messaged someone to let them know. Apparently they didn't get on which I didn't know but there's no call for this response.

It's a very male response, surprised you didn't pick up on that...I don't like plenty of people but not to the point I celebrate them getting cancer and hope it spreads, jesus what is the world coming to that this just elicits a shrug from some posters?

There is zero context to this isolated comment over one-to-one text which OP did not follow up with the simple question: "Why do you say that?"

Then there would actually have been some context to this person's position.

OP, dump this work friend if you like, but I would suggest that you practice more assertive communication so you won't have to guess what people are thinking and why.

There are some people I’d not feel sad about or sorry for in that situation.

I’m not sure I’d respond as bluntly as your ex colleague did though, so there’s that,

I think I'd have had to respond with 'wow that's a bit harsh'
Maybe you would have got more of an explanation

This colleague must have been bad for your friend who is a bloke to say something/use that word. That’s men though , not conditioned by society to “be nice” the lucky sods. The idea that once you are ill all your past misdeeds are erased is odd.

The poor spelling is unforgivable however. Although suppose you use the word less if you are male!

having said all that, if its crossed a line for you then you should tell him and withdraw.

@Drippingfeed@Firefly1987 I would never personally say such a thing no, I suppose my view is coloured by someone dying recently that I really didn’t care for but I kept my opinion of them to myself. You can’t be obliged to care for someone who didn’t care about you is what I meant by it.

I'd probably just say 'fair enough'. I wouldnt dump them for having their own opnion of someone. People are allowed to dislike other people.

Very ture.

I don't understand how being asked to tell people something about someone by the actual person is gossiping.

Of course! I understand that. But that text is something else.

Assuming the person with cancer asked you to inform this person i think their response was unecessarily cruel and lacked empathy. Obviously the person has the right to think what they please about x but to say it in the context of being told of their cancer diagnosis does show an inappropriateness.
I would have replied saying you have the right to your opinion of x but its not necessary to share it at this moment and id distance myself because i don't like people who stick the knife in when someone is at their lowest.
Im sure others would disagree and we are all different.
It really only matters what you think.