LinkedIn Requests from People Who Treated You Like Dirt: The Whatever Moment

There are few things more entertaining in the professional world than getting a LinkedIn invite from someone who once treated you like dirt. You know the type: dismissive, condescending, allergic to collaboration. Suddenly, later, they want to connect. Oh, now we’re colleagues? Sure, whatever.

It’s the ultimate Gen-X “whatever” moment. Part irony, part comedy, part karma. We spent our twenties surviving toxic managers, our thirties perfecting the art of pretending to care, and now, decades later, those same “leaders” are showing up in our notifications like it’s all water under the bridge. It’s not. It’s more like toxic sludge we learned to step around.

The LinkedIn “Oh Hell No” Moment

That moment when the name pops up, that name, is instant sensory recall. You can practically hear their patronizing tone echoing in your head. It’s giving “Office Space” meets “Cobra Kai.” You picture them typing that invitation, convincing themselves it’s a classy olive branch, when you know it’s really networking desperation or ego cleanup.

So what’s the move? You could hit accept and bask in the irony, or you could go full Gen-X and just mutter “as if” under your breath before hitting ignore. Either way, you hold the remote control here. No commercial breaks, no apologies.

The Etiquette Dilemma

Experts say there’s no rule that says you have to accept every connection. LinkedIn itself says only connect with people you trust. Forbes and Ask a Manager both agree that ignoring is fair game when the person was toxic or disrespectful. Silence is a strategy, not a weakness.

Your options are simple:
Ignore: Low drama, high peace. They get the hint.
Accept and mute: For when you want to stay professional but never see their face again.
Decline with flair: Optional but satisfying if you can resist typing “Whatever, no thanks.”

Just remember, LinkedIn isn’t high school. You don’t need to “be nice” to someone who made your job miserable.

Gen-X Field Guide to Hypocrisy

Let’s break down the greatest hits of the “suddenly friendly” LinkedIn crowd:

The Leader Who Suddenly Respects You: Oh, now you’re all about collaboration? Funny, didn’t seem that way during your dubious reign.

The Leader Who Stole Credit but Wants “Synergy”: Sweet of you to remember I exist now that you want something.

The Gaslighter Rebranded as a “Leader”: You made people feel low, but sure, tell me more about “empowerment.”

The Gen-X response? Eye roll, internal playlist switch to Nirvana, and maybe a quick scroll through “People You May Know” just to cleanse the algorithm.

Keeping It Classy While Staying Petty

The real power move is quiet. Decline, block, or archive without a word. They’ll wonder if you saw it. You did. You just didn’t care enough to engage. That’s what growth looks like.

If you’re feeling particularly zen, reframe it: they’re following you because you’re doing something right. You leveled up. You’re living rent-free in their professional conscience. Let them watch. Just don’t let them in.

The Whatever Epilogue

LinkedIn requests from people who treated you like dirt are digital proof that karma has Wi-Fi. The Gen-X playbook says it best: don’t get mad, just get unavailable. You don’t owe anyone a connection, a conversation, or closure.

Add to network? Nah.

#LinkedInEtiquette #GenX #Boundaries #ToxicEnergy