How a Bic Pen Became the Ultimate Weapon in Petty Revenge Against a Smelly Teacher
We’ve all been there: trapped in a classroom, desperately trying to focus, when the unmistakable stench of cigarettes wafts through the air. Maybe it’s a classmate who just discovered Marlboros, or—worse—a teacher who seems to have replaced their morning coffee with a carton of Camels. But what can you do, powerless student that you are? Well, as one Redditor recently proved, sometimes the smallest acts of mischief deliver the most satisfying results.
Let’s dive into a tale where a humble Bic Biro pen became the secret weapon in a subtle, psychological battle—a story that has thousands on Reddit applauding its low-key brilliance and snickering at the sheer pettiness of it all.
The Scent of Revenge: When Smokers Invade the Classroom
It all began in a UK high school, where the Language Department head—described as a “heavy smoker” with that “lingering-deathcrud” aura—decided to sit in on a lesson. Unfortunately for the students, her presence meant more than just extra scrutiny; it meant the air was suddenly thick with the unmistakable scent of stale cigarettes. For u/Fiempre_sin_tabla, our protagonist, the situation called for action.
Admittedly, as the OP confessed, “I was kind of an arsehole.” But sometimes, being a little cheeky is exactly what the moment demands.
Enter the classic white cylindrical Bic Biro pen. With a few subtle flicks, a casual toss between fingers, and the occasional absent-minded mouthing, the OP mimicked the act of smoking—right in the teacher’s line of sight. Not enough to disrupt class, but just enough to make sure she noticed. The effect? According to the OP, the teacher grew “steadily more antsy-fidgety” before bolting for the staffroom the moment the bell rang.
Psychological Jabs: Why Petty Revenge Feels So Good
What makes this act of revenge so satisfying? As u/chalavet put it, “Peak petty lmao. Honestly, it’s the little psychological jabs like this that live rent-free in someone’s head way longer than any big act of revenge. Low effort, high impact 10/10 execution.”
This is the genius of petty revenge: it’s not about grand gestures or elaborate schemes. It’s about getting under someone’s skin with minimal effort and maximum deniability. OP didn’t break any rules. If accused, they could simply claim, “I was absorbed in what the teacher was saying; I must have been absent-mindedly fidgeting with my pen.” (Which, for the record, is exactly what the OP cheekily replied when someone pointed out the smoking mimicry.)
Redditor u/Gibodean summed up the strategy: “Nice. Use the addict’s addiction against them. I’ve got to remember that one.” And as u/RezzOnTheRadio noted, “That’s subtle af and if she tried to get you in trouble for that you’d have deniability. 10/10 gaslight.”
Pens, Nostalgia, and the Power of Subtlety
Beyond the revenge, the story sparked a wave of nostalgia in the comments for the humble Bic Biro pen—a weapon of choice for generations of students. u/GibbGibbGibbGibbGibb reminisced, “The clear hexagonal Bic pen; we LOVED that pen!! … Do not suck on the hole on the side. I was doing that in class one day and got a mouth full of ink. That shit doesn’t rinse out too easily.” Meanwhile, others recalled even more creative (and dangerous) uses for the pens, like trying to explode them in electrical outlets (don’t try this at home, kids).
But the pen’s simplicity is its strength. As u/CoderJoe1 chimed in: “Creative.” And in today’s world, as u/ITsunayoshiI pointed out, there are even more realistic smoking-mimic gadgets like Fum, which look like smoking devices but only deliver flavored air—handy for quitting, or for even stealthier classroom antics.
The Lingering Stigma of Smoker Smell
While many commenters found the petty revenge hilarious, some couldn’t help but relate on a deeper level. u/Imaginary_Drawing351 lamented about her husband’s smoking habit: “I need to find something to do so my husband realizes how bad he smells after smoking. He was supposed to quit with me 7 months ago but instead decided to take up vaping AND continue smoking cigarettes. I seriously cannot stand the smell and cringe thinking about how I used to smell after smoking 🤢🤮.”
OP responded with empathy (and a little righteous shade): “Nothing quite having to live with someone actively making their addiction into your problem. And shame on him for not even trying to live up to the bargain and support you, instead making your life that much harder.”
Sometimes, the smallest acts—like waving a pen—are the only way to push back against someone else’s obliviousness to the impact of their habits.
Final Bell: Why We Love Petty Victories
Petty revenge stories like this one resonate because they’re so relatable. We’ve all fantasized about small, clever ways to get back at someone who’s making our lives unpleasant—especially when we’re powerless to confront them directly. As the comments show, sometimes the most effective revenge is the one that’s almost invisible, but impossible to ignore.
So next time you’re stuck next to a smelly teacher, a noisy neighbor, or an inconsiderate coworker, remember: you don’t need a grand plan. Sometimes, all it takes is a pen.
What’s your best story of petty revenge? Would you ever try something like this? Let us know in the comments—because, as Reddit proves, the best tales are the ones we share (and laugh about) together.
Original Reddit Post: Petty revenge on a smelly teacher