How One Porto Neighbor Fought Motorcycle Mayhem With the Power of Petty Revenge (and a Very Loud Door Buzzer)
If you’ve ever lived in an old apartment building, you know there’s a special kind of diplomacy required to navigate the unwritten rules of shared spaces. Bikes go here, shoes go there, and for the love of all that is neighborly, don’t block someone else’s stuff. But what happens when a new neighbor rolls in—literally—on a vintage motorcycle and parks his ride right in your way?
Let’s just say that in Porto, Portugal, one resident found a creative way to fight back. Spoiler: it didn’t involve angry confrontations or passive-aggressive sticky notes. Instead, it was a pitch-perfect act of petty revenge, powered by a very loud, very old door buzzer.
The Battle for Bike Space
Meet u/Apprehensive_Log222, a translator who’s lived in the same Porto building for years, happily sharing the tiny entryway with a handful of bikes and the odd bit of “random stuff.” All was peaceful—until a new neighbor moved into the third floor, bringing with him not just a love for American classic rock, but a passion for a massive vintage motorcycle.
This wasn’t just any motorcycle. It was the kind that gets pampered with fancy tarps and regular polishings, treated more like a prized family member than a vehicle. And where did this beloved beast live? Right in front of our narrator’s bike, of course. Wheel-to-wheel, every single day. Extracting the bike required shifting the motorcycle—heavy, precarious, and (let’s be honest) infuriating.
Polite notes were ignored. Direct requests were brushed off with a dismissive, “just go around it.” There wasn’t room, but that didn’t seem to matter to the motorcycle maestro upstairs.
Enter: The Ancient Buzzer of Doom
Now, here’s where things take a deliciously petty turn. The new neighbor also enjoyed blasting American classic rock at 7am on weekends, courtesy of his expensive sound system. But what goes around, comes around—especially in a building with paper-thin walls and an intercom system that could wake the dead.
Our hero realized that the building’s main door buzzer was wired directly into speakers in every apartment, with no way to turn them down. It was the perfect instrument for some righteous retribution.
So began the campaign: random, well-timed buzzes throughout the week. Not enough to be outright harassment, but just enough to keep the neighbor guessing (and jumping out of his skin). 9:30am on a Tuesday? Buzz. 3pm on a Thursday? Why not? 8pm on a Saturday? Let’s rock.
Sweet, Sweet Justice
It didn’t take long for the motorcycle owner to notice. He cornered our protagonist in the entryway, demanding to know if the buzzing was intentional. With a masterful poker face, the reply was, “Oh sorry, must be hitting your button by mistake, these old systems are confusing.”
He knew. The neighbor knew. But what could he say? After all, it’s not illegal to be a little clumsy with a finicky old buzzer.
Two days later, a miracle occurred: the motorcycle was moved to the other side of the entryway, leaving ample room for the bike. Peace was restored, the buzzes ceased (well, “probably”), and a lesson was learned—never underestimate the power of passive-aggressive perseverance.
The Art (and Joy) of Petty Revenge
Is this the most mature approach to conflict resolution? Maybe not. But is it deeply satisfying? Absolutely. The story resonated with thousands on Reddit, earning over 6,800 upvotes and sparking a lively discussion in the comments about the universal struggle of shared spaces and the little victories that keep us sane.
What makes this story so delightful isn’t just the cleverness of the revenge—it’s the relatability. We’ve all dealt with inconsiderate neighbors, unmovable obstacles (literal or metaphorical), and the urge to reclaim our space, even if it means getting a little creative.
What’s Your Petty Victory?
Have you ever resorted to a harmless-yet-hilarious act of petty revenge to make your point? Maybe you rearranged shoes, left a cryptic note, or (like our Porto protagonist) harnessed the awesome power of technology from the 1980s. Whatever your story, we want to hear it!
Drop your own tales of neighborly mischief in the comments below. After all, life’s too short to let someone else’s motorcycle block your path—or your peace and quiet.
Share this post with anyone who’s ever fought for their rightful space… and won!
Original Reddit Post: Neighbor kept blocking my bike, so I made sure his expensive speakers got a workout