How One Cup of “Coffee” Served Up the Ultimate Petty Revenge in the Office
There’s a special kind of magic in the world of petty revenge—a blend of creativity, timing, and just the right dash of mischief. And when the caffeine-fueled trenches of office life collide with a co-worker from hell, sometimes the best way to say goodbye is with a little… flavor enhancement.
Reddit user u/mob_dob recently shared a tale on r/PettyRevenge that’s equal parts devious and deliciously satisfying. If you’ve ever fantasized about sticking it to a passive-aggressive colleague, grab your mug and settle in—this one’s for you.
Coffee, Gravy, and the Art of Office Payback
Workplaces can be a minefield of personalities, but there’s always that one co-worker who manages to grind your gears like a cheap office coffee grinder. For mob_dob, that person was the master of the backhanded compliment, the sultan of snide remarks, the undisputed champion of passive aggression. And, much to the chagrin of several colleagues, this wasn’t a one-on-one vendetta—this was a pattern.
But as the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served… piping hot? In this case, it came with a hearty beef undertone.
After putting in their notice and preparing to escape the caffeine-fueled chaos of 13-hour shifts, mob_dob devised a plan. The Achilles' heel of their nemesis? Coffee. Not just any coffee, mind you, but the highbrow, barista-style instant coffee powder—a rare office treat. Enter the hero of our story: Bisto Best beef instant gravy.
With the stealth of a seasoned prankster, mob_dob swapped half the coffee with gravy powder, gave it a good shake, and let the aroma of vengeance (and beef) waft through the break room. The result? On the outside, it looked like the same coffee everyone relied on to get through the day. On the inside, it was a steaming cup of karma.
The Aftermath: Spilling the Beans (and Gravy)
As with many good deeds (and great pranks), our hero didn’t get to witness the fallout firsthand. But thanks to the magic of workplace gossip and the trusty text message, the aftermath arrived: a colleague reported hearing a bellowed “f@ck me, it’s f@cking gravy” echoing from the staff room. If that’s not the sound of petty victory, I don’t know what is.
The brilliance of this revenge lies in its subtlety. No real harm done, just the perfect amount of confusion, disgust, and inconvenience to give the office tyrant pause before their next snide comment. Plus, as mob_dob admits, the memory still brings a warm, beefy glow of satisfaction even a decade later.
Why We Love Petty Revenge (Especially When It Tastes So Bad)
There’s a reason stories like this resonate so deeply. Petty revenge isn’t about causing real harm—it’s about reclaiming a little bit of power in situations where you feel powerless. It’s the David vs. Goliath of office politics, except David is armed with a jar of gravy granules and a keen sense of irony.
And let’s be honest: who hasn’t fantasized about spicing up their jerk co-worker’s coffee, just to see what would happen? (If you say you haven’t, you’re either lying or you’re the office villain.)
Sure, mob_dob’s prank wasn’t world-changing. But in the arena of day-to-day annoyances, sometimes a small, silly act of rebellion is enough to keep you sane—and provide a story that keeps you smiling for years.
Have Your Own Petty Revenge Story? Spill the (Beefy) Beans!
So, next time you’re at the end of your rope with an office antagonist, remember: sometimes the best revenge is a little harmless mischief and a story that gets better with every retelling.
Have you ever pulled off (or been the victim of) a petty prank at work? Does this story inspire you—or horrify you? Share your tales of office hijinks in the comments below. And remember: always sniff your coffee before you sip. You never know when revenge might be brewing.
For more tales of everyday mischief and sweet, caffeinated justice, stick around. Your next favorite story might just be a cup away!
Original Reddit Post: I hope you enjoy your 'coffee'