Camping, Court Orders, and Petty Revenge: How One Man Outmaneuvered His Abusive Ex
If you’ve ever fantasized about the perfect, satisfying comeback to someone who wronged you, prepare to meet your new hero. On Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge, one user shared how their friend—after years in an abusive relationship—took the ultimate legal yet delightfully petty revenge on his ex. The story has everything: an LGBTQ campground, a birthday tradition, a restraining order, and the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that makes the internet cheer.
So, what happens when a toxic ex tries to ruin your birthday plans? You don’t just get mad. You get even—with a reservation system and some well-timed paperwork.
The Setup: Love Gone Wrong and Campground Chess
Our protagonist, let’s call him Dave for clarity (thanks to the community’s helpful suggestions about pronoun confusion), had endured years in an abusive relationship. With newfound freedom and a court order mandating no contact, Dave was eager to celebrate his birthday at his favorite LGBTQ campground—a tradition he cherished.
But, as u/My_fair_ladies1872 (the original poster, or OP) explained, Dave’s ex wasn’t about to let him have it easy. When Dave reached out to coordinate dates (since the restraining order meant they couldn’t be at the campground at the same time), the ex replied with a resounding “screw you, I’m going that weekend.” Cue the dramatic music!
At this point, commenters like u/Kittkatt598 were on the edge of their seats, with high-fives all around: “Now this is the kind of petty revenge I am here for!”
The Masterstroke: Booking the Battlefield
Faced with an ex intent on ruining his plans, Dave didn’t back down. Instead, he pulled off a move that was, as u/Available_Agent3305 put it, “the perfect blend of clever and legal. 10/10, no notes.”
Dave booked a campsite for the entire month of August. Not just his birthday weekend—the whole month. Then, in a stroke of bureaucracy-powered brilliance, he notified the police, officially listing the campground as his address for the summer. The result? Thanks to the restraining order, the ex couldn’t set foot on the property for the entire month.
The Reddit community was delighted. u/IDGAF53 summed up the mood: “Yah... that's next level. Glad I don’t know that friend!” Even OP admitted, “I was laughing my face off when he told me. It’s diabolical.”
This was no cheap shot, either. Some wondered about the cost—was it an expensive act of revenge? As u/Brutal_B_83 asked, “Seems like an expensive way to get petty revenge.” But others pointed out that many campgrounds are relatively affordable, and, as OP replied, “All I know is what he did. Beyond that it’s not my business.”
Community Reactions: Applause, Clarifications, and a Touch of Chaos
Redditors may love a good revenge story, but they also love a good debate. Some, like u/LindonLilBlueBalls, pointed out that the post would’ve been easier to follow with fake names. (We hear you, Dave and Ex it is!) Others, like u/YOMAMAULGY, fired back with classic Reddit snark: “I think your reading just needs to be improved my man.”
Amidst the grammar critiques and pronoun debates, most agreed the petty revenge was top notch. u/SweetMaam added context, noting, “campgrounds are $11 or $30 a night in many places, depending on hookups or just a tent site.” So while the move might have cost a bit, it was a small price to pay for a summer of peace—and to outmaneuver a vindictive ex.
Not everyone was convinced it was pure heroism, though. A dissenting voice, u/agmccall, mused, “I would not think of this as revenge. The ex only wanted to go to piss off [the] other party. For all anybody knows he never intended to go in the first place.” Meanwhile, u/Striking_Adeptness17 tried to stir the pot by suggesting “both of them have issues,” but OP quickly shot that down, clarifying the restraining order doesn’t mean both parties are at fault.
Why We Love (and Need) Petty Revenge
There’s something universal about the satisfaction of a well-executed, harmless act of petty revenge—especially when it’s in response to genuine mistreatment. As Redditor u/Mad-Dog20-20 put it, “Smart cookie!” The story struck a chord because it’s creative, legal, and, as u/Available_Agent3305 noted, “no notes.”
It’s also a celebration of boundaries—literally and figuratively. Dave didn’t break the law; he used it, ensuring a summer free from drama at his happy place. In a world where justice can be slow or unsatisfying, sometimes a little creative thinking (and a reservation calendar) is all it takes to reclaim your peace.
Conclusion: Your Move, Ex
In the end, the ex couldn’t camp at all that summer. OP never heard how the ex reacted, but honestly? The beauty is in imagining it. The internet agrees: sometimes, the best revenge is living your best life (with a side of paperwork).
What’s your favorite story of clever, legal revenge? Have you ever pulled off a move that made your friends laugh their faces off? Let us know in the comments—because as any Redditor knows, the best stories are the ones we share.
And remember: if you ever need inspiration, there’s always r/PettyRevenge—where the shade is legal and the stories are legendary.
Original Reddit Post: How my friend got revenge on his abusive ex