A Tiffy Taffy Highlight Story: Sometimes there are stories that are just too good, too beautiful, or too inspiring to keep locked away. That’s why we scour the archives and bring some of them back to enjoy again. They may make you smile or shed a tear, but they’re always meant to add a little positivity to your day. Enjoy!
Louisa Manning was bullied maliciously in school. It began when she was 12. Her classmates mocked her weight, teased her for being “hairy,” and nicknamed her “manbeast”. Because of this, she developed an eating disorder and low self-esteem. At age 22, she had grown into her looks and attended Oxford University. That’s when she bumped into one of her former bullies and he asked her out. This bully was particularly awful during her school years, and he only began to treat her with respect now — after he found her good-looking.
“I was pretty pissed off he asked me out, to be honest,” Manning said. “It really made me angry that now I’m attractive, he instantly wants to jump into bed with me“. So she decided to get her revenge. [1]
She Stood Up Her Former Bully With a Letter
Manning agreed to go on the date with her former bully, although she initially wanted to refuse. “My gut instinct was to say no,” she said, “but then I realized what a brilliant opportunity it was, and after bouncing ideas off a friend for a few hours, we came up with an idea.” [2]
So she arranged the dinner date but didn’t actually show up. Instead, she gave the waiter a letter to give the former bully when he arrived. Enclosed in the letter was a photo of Manning at age 14, back when the bullying was well into gear. In the note, she wrote.
Hey [name obscured],
So sorry I can’t join you tonight.
Remember year 8, when I was fat and you made fun of my weight? No? I do – I spent the following three years eating less than an apple a day. So I’ve decided to skip dinner.
Remember the monobrow you mocked? The hairy legs you were disgusted by? Remember how every day for three years, you and your friends called me Manbeast? No perhaps you don’t – or you wouldn’t have seen how I look eight years later and deemed me f*ckable enough to treat me like a human being.
I thought I’d send you this as a reminder. Next time you think of me, picture that girl in this photo, because she’s the one who just stood you up.
Louisa.
Her Bully’s Response
She posted the letter and picture on Facebook in December 2014. Her story went viral and she has since deleted the post. However, not before she added an update: Her former bully received her note and responded with an apology over Facebook, which read as follows.
“Hey… For what it’s worth, I was actually here to meet up looking for a chance to make friends, not because you are very good looking. I guess I had it coming though, and certainly don’t blame you for standing me up.
“I can’t change who I was 8 years ago, and I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending that it didn’t happen, but I hope you believe me when I say I’m a completely different person now. I can only apologize and wish you the very best. I guess I won’t hear from you again but I mean it when I say that I hope you have every success you deserve.”
Although Manning said the apology came too late, she still appreciated it. “I’m so shocked, I actually got an apology,” she said. “It’s 10 years too late and really if he’d intended to apologize he should have done so when I bumped into him last weekend rather than asking me out for dinner first, but it’s still an apology and it’s still amazing I got one.“
Inspiring Other Victims
This incident has garnered many fans for Manning. Bullying is unfortunately very common and people related to her situation. Some individuals felt inspired to talk about their own experiences of confronting childhood bullying. Not every story like this has a cathartic ending. Often, victims are not going to get revenge on their bullies. In fact, it’s unlikely they will even receive an apology. But nevertheless, Manning’s story gives hope for a satisfying conclusion after a difficult childhood. [3]
In response to this virality, Manning said, “I think it’s crazy and quite overwhelming, I wasn’t expecting it to go this viral! I think every tabloid ever has now printed something on me. I was pretty happy with Glamour magazine though; I was listed hero of the week, alongside Prince Harry. Success.” [4]
Keep Reading: Mom Goes Viral After Defending Her Son For Beating Up His Bully
Sources
- “Woman Gets ‘Amazing’ Revenge on School Bully.” Yahoo News. Elise Solé. December 8, 2014
- “A Woman Stood Up The Man Who Bullied Her At School With This Incredible Note.” Buzzfeed. Rossalyn Warren. December 5, 2014
- “Oxford University Student Louisa Manning Gets The Ultimate Revenge On Her Childhood Bully.” HuffPost. Kate Samuelson.December 11, 2014
- “Student Serves Up Viral Revenge To Childhood Bully.” The Oxford Student. Laura Whetherly. December 7, 2014
