Women are sharing open letters to their partners’ exes in a cringe/cruel internet fad

How about not calling out other women’s ‘failings’?

Relationships are funny things, and while one couple can utterly bomb and make terrible choices during their time together, that in no way means that they won’t go on to have completely happy and successful relationships with other people.

You know, different strokes for different folks, an’ all that.

However, a strange trend has started in which women are sharing an open letter penned to their current beau’s ex girlfriends, in which not only do they thank them for breaking their fella's heart, they also call out the other woman’s ‘failings.’

It’s all quite cringe-worthy, indulgent and is yet another thing that promotes a culture of women comparing themselves to one another, and trying to get one up.

While we won’t name and shame the people who started this and are sharing alongside loved up couples selfies, here are some choice cuts from the letter.

‘To the girls who let him go, thank you for walking out of his life, for leaving him.’

‘Thank you for hurting him. I will try my best not to cause him pain, for it hurts me to see him cry.’

‘I will do all the things you failed to do for him.’

‘I will take care of the man you failed to appreciate.’

‘I will do anything to keep him and make him stay.’

‘I will be the partner you failed to become for him. I will be the woman who will never make the same mistake you did.’

Does a happy, healthy relationship really need one partner fixating on previous lovers’ ‘failings’ and ‘mistakes’, then posting them on the internet? We think not.

Mumsnet users aren’t fans either, with one forum user posting: ‘[this] legitimately wants to make me vomit. For so many reasons. Mainly because all the women who are re-posting this are basically saying their other half was the sweet, hard done by innocent in the breakdown of any previous relationship he’s ever had.’

While another added: ‘It’s not lovely. It’s hideous on so many levels. For as much him as anybody.’

Sure you don’t have to be best mates with your partner’s ex, but equally you certainly don’t need to shame her on the internet.