One of my co-workers was a deeply unpleasant character. I did not get on with him. I could tell you stories. He wishes to "friend me" on FB. Should I suspend animosity and respond positively, or should I remember the years of deeply hateful behaviour?

Two options.

Friend him but do you trust him. ? He will gain info on you. Would he use it against you ?The silver lining is if he doesn't behave like a friend you can have the pleasure of " unfriending " him.

The second option is don't friend him until he acts like a real friend in real life.

The stories you could tell (?)

My gut says don't friend him.

Just leave him be.

You should suspend animosity for your health my friend. Holding on to all that icky stuff will not benifit you at all. Being "friends" with him is probably not healthy either. Something sounds suspicious to me.....