How a Handful of Pennies Became the Perfect Petty Revenge Against a Racist Boss
There are moments in life when you have to take a stand, but sometimes the most satisfying way to do it isn’t with fireworks—it’s with a quiet, calculated act of pure, petty brilliance. That’s exactly what happened when one Black British HGV mechanic in Wales decided he’d had enough of his manager’s racism and chose the power of spare change to even the score. What followed was a masterclass in restraint, determination, and, yes, a bit of righteous, copper-fueled chaos.
Let’s set the scene: a hostile workplace, a manager who couldn’t keep his prejudice to himself, and a victim who, after years of keeping his cool, finally decided to cash in on some well-earned revenge.
The Workplace From Hell: Microaggressions, Macro Problems
Our story’s hero, u/Quirky_Toe7092, started out just wanting to do his job like everyone else. But as he shared on r/PettyRevenge, being the only Black mechanic at a UK dealership meant he was a lightning rod for every ignorant comment and sideways glance. As he put it, “I didn’t know what racism was until I started noticing that SOME people were treating me differently because of the colour of my skin.”
It wasn’t just the odd off-color joke—it was a daily barrage. The manager went from “playfully” touching his afro (newsflash: don’t do this) to mocking his African name, and eventually making openly racist jabs in front of the whole team. The final straw? Being told, “never trust a coloured man with a hoody on”—a phrase so loaded it would make any decent person’s blood boil.
What makes this tale so relatable is the hopelessness our OP felt about HR: “claims of bullying were never taken seriously or investigated.” As one commenter, u/128cs, pointed out, “Petty is absolutely the way to go with a power dynamic like this, where you are just expected to put up with this from a boss.” Many in the Reddit thread echoed this sentiment, noting how, even today, people are often forced to regulate their own feelings “to not cause offense or disturbance to themselves and others,” as u/Good-Hunch put it.
The Pennies Drop: When Petty is Perfect
Now, here’s where the tale turns from tragic to triumphant. The manager, in a bid to be everyone’s pal, ran a snack scheme: stock up on crisps and drinks, then sell them to the staff for 50p or £1 coins—never change, mind you. He even publicly scolded a financially struggling mechanic for paying in coppers, making his “rules” crystal clear.
So what did our hero do after the hoodie comment pushed him past his limit? He counted out £4—yes, four whole pounds—in 1p and 2p coins, bought his snacks, and waited. The manager’s explosion was immediate. He stormed into the canteen, demanding to know who dared defy his coin decree. OP met his glare head-on and claimed his masterpiece of petty revenge with a grin that could light up the break room.
As the Reddit crowd cheered, u/Tremenda-Carucha summed it up best: “You handled it with such quiet defiance, it's almost poetic in a way that makes you want to cheer, even if the situation itself is deeply unfair.” Others, like u/Cute_Recognition_880, called OP “admirable for holding strong during the racial abuse!!!”
Backlash and Beyond: When Standing Up Means Standing Alone
Of course, not everyone in the workshop was thrilled. The supervisor, who’d always laughed along with the manager’s jabs, now blamed OP for “ruining it for everyone.” As u/shan68ok01 dryly pointed out, “You mean everyone who witnessed racial bigotry near daily and never said anything to stop it? I simply can't find it in myself to care.”
OP’s act, while petty on the surface, exposed the uncomfortable truth: most of his colleagues were happy to look the other way. “I left the company soon after, because I fell out with most of the people there due to not being a sheep and not being part of the work clique.” It’s a sobering reality, but as u/Blooblack advised, it’s a reminder to seek out supportive networks and not fall for the gaslighting that tells you to just “fit in.”
But here’s the twist: justice, while slow, did arrive. The manager was eventually sacked—quietly told to resign to save face. On his last day, OP refused his awkward olive branch (free food in the canteen) and worked through his break, ignoring the man’s parting words: “behave myself.” The irony, as u/SecretOscarOG quipped, is almost too good: “You got fired didn’t you? Maybe I’m not the one who needs to behave.”
The Power—and the Price—of Petty Revenge
So was this the most earth-shattering revenge in history? Maybe not. As u/Proud_Huckleberry_42 admitted, “I was expecting a real revenge. I was kind of disappointed lol. But, at least you did something.” But sometimes, the smallest acts—especially when performed with dignity—can be the sharpest rebuke.
This story resonated because it’s about refusing to be invisible. As u/VivianDiane declared, “Absolute legend. Racists deserve way worse than petty revenge, but this was perfect.” The real lesson? Don’t let anyone treat you less than you deserve, and never underestimate the power of making a statement—no matter how many pennies it takes.
Have you ever served up a slice of petty revenge to someone who had it coming? Or found yourself the only one willing to stand up against a toxic workplace? Share your stories below—let’s keep the conversation (and the petty) going.
Original Reddit Post: Revenge on a racist manager was worth the backlash