Coins, Karma, and Cooking Gas: How One Mom Mastered the Art of Petty Revenge
Moving to a new place always comes with its share of surprises: new neighbors, new routines, and sometimes, new opportunities for deliciously petty revenge. Such is the case with a story from Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge, where one mom turned a simple debt into a coin-powered lesson in patience—and left us all rooting for her.
Let’s set the scene: It’s 2005, the era of flip phones and dial-up internet, and a mother and child are settling into their new apartment. Cue the classic dilemma—running out of cooking gas at the worst possible moment. But what truly makes this story shine isn’t the inconvenience; it’s how Mom handled a pushy neighbor and paid him back in the pettiest way possible.
When Life Hands You Paise, Make Petty Revenge
Picture this: You’ve just moved in, unfamiliar with your surroundings, and you’re trying to get dinner going. Suddenly, you realize you’re out of cooking gas. No big deal—just call for a refill, right? Except, back in 2005, gas cylinder deliveries weren’t exactly on-demand. Sometimes, you’d wait days. Luckily, for our protagonist, the delivery guy showed up the very next morning.
But there’s a twist—Mom didn’t have enough cash on hand. She was short by 23 rupees (about 50 cents back then), so she asked a neighbor for a quick loan, promising to return it within two days. Seems reasonable, right? Well, not for Mr. Neighbor.
The very next morning, as she was heading out, the neighbor pounced, demanding his 23 rupees right then and there. When she said she’d give it back by evening, he got snippy—“No, I want it now!” he insisted. It’s the kind of overreaction that makes you roll your eyes and mutter, “Alright, buddy, simmer down.”
Pennies for Your Petty Thoughts
Now, here’s where the magic happens. Instead of arguing or making excuses, Mom decided to deliver exactly what was asked for—literally and figuratively. She went home, dug through her stash of change, and painstakingly counted out 23 rupees in the smallest coins she could find: 25 paise and 50 paise pieces.
If you’re not familiar with Indian currency, here’s a quick primer: 100 paise equals 1 rupee. So, 23 rupees in 25-paise coins? That’s 92 coins. Add a few 50-paise pieces for good measure, and you’ve got a pocketful of petty power.
Imagine the neighbor’s face when she handed over a jingling mountain of coins. Suddenly, his urgency seemed a lot less justified. It’s a moment tailor-made for the petty revenge hall of fame—a subtle, non-confrontational way to say, “If you’re going to be difficult, I can be difficult, too.”
Why We Love a Good Petty Revenge
There’s something universally satisfying about stories like this. Maybe it’s because we’ve all had to deal with an impatient neighbor, a nitpicky coworker, or a pushy acquaintance who just can’t let things go. Most of us don’t want a full-blown confrontation, but we still crave a little justice—a way to restore balance, even if it’s just for a brief, glorious moment.
Petty revenge isn’t about causing harm; it’s about making a point. It’s the art of giving someone exactly what they asked for, but not quite in the way they expected. And let’s be honest—sometimes, it’s the only way to keep your sanity (and your sense of humor) intact.
The Real MVPs: Moms Who Don’t Back Down
What really makes this story sing is the mom’s quiet confidence. She didn’t argue or escalate; she simply found a creative solution that delivered satisfaction in spades. In a world where we’re often told to “be the bigger person,” sometimes being a little bit petty is exactly what the situation calls for.
So, here’s to all the moms—and dads, and friends, and neighbors—who know when to pick their battles and when to pay in coins. You remind us that a little creativity (and a lot of loose change) can turn even the smallest slight into a tale worth telling.
Have You Ever Mastered the Art of Petty Revenge?
We want to hear your stories! Have you ever paid someone back in an unexpectedly petty way? Or maybe you were on the receiving end of some coin-powered karma? Share your tales in the comments below—let’s celebrate the small victories together.
And remember: When life gives you paise, sometimes the pettiest payment is the sweetest.
Original Reddit Post: My mom’s petty sometimes and I’m here for it