How to Defeat a Toxic Coworker with Petty Revenge (and a Poker Face)
Let’s be honest—every workplace has at least one. The Jim. The coworker who’s somehow immune to management, allergic to actual work, and absolutely magnetic for drama. But what happens when you’re done playing nice with Jim? Well, you might just launch a shadow campaign of petty revenge so satisfying, the entire internet cheers you on.
Today, we’re diving into a viral Reddit story from r/PettyRevenge that’s part catharsis, part playbook, and 100% relatable. If you’ve ever fantasized about outmaneuvering your office nemesis, grab your popcorn: this petty saga is for you.
Meet Jim: The Workplace Menace
Picture this: You show up to work, ready to mind your own business. But lurking nearby is Jim—a coworker who, according to Redditor u/LowKeyChcknBoy, is “an ass.” Jim’s talents include dodging work, spreading rumors, making inappropriate comments, and parking his golf cart so close to yours you need a crowbar to escape. Oh, and did we mention he’s a chronic space invader? One commenter, u/sphinxyhiggins, dubbed him “an energy vampire.” The entire Reddit thread swiftly agreed: “Now we all hate Jim,” declared u/BellaSquared, while u/Karen_butnotaKaren took it even further: “I didn't like Jim before he was even born! And he was an ugly baby.”
Despite multiple complaints (two from the OP alone), management does nothing. Jim seems to thrive on chaos, a narcissist in his natural habitat. As u/MagisD insightfully put it, “It’s a personality that is like the Internet of today, any attention is good. Doesn’t matter if it’s toxic or troll based—he needs attention and does what he has to to get it.”
But here’s the twist: This time, Jim picked the wrong target.
The Petty Revenge Playbook
Tired of being antagonized and ignored by management, OP launched what can only be described as a masterclass in low-stakes vengeance. The campaign? Subtle, non-destructive, and oh-so-satisfying. First, OP removed every single item from Jim’s beloved golf cart—paperwork, tools, you name it. Then, OP used their universal golf cart key to switch Jim’s ignition to “OFF” every time they spotted it. The result? Jim, thoroughly confused, sitting in his cart wondering why it wouldn’t start—while the rest of us cackle from afar.
The pièce de résistance? Complete social invisibility. OP stopped acknowledging Jim altogether. No eye contact, no greetings, not even a twitch of a smile. “One day, he rolled up next to me looking ready for a chat,” OP wrote. “I watched him and waited until the very moment that his cart rolled back slightly as it came to a stop, and then I took off. Didn’t say a word, just gone with Jim sitting in the middle of the road behind me.”
Reddit, of course, was delighted. “Sounds petty to me,” said u/lapsteelguitar. OP replied: “Definitely petty, but a morale boost for me.” Others took notes: “I’m taking notes ngl,” admitted u/velvetswing. In the words of u/Awesomesince1973, “Jim sounds like a miserable human being and I love the petty you are pettying!”
When the Internet Unites Against Jim
The comments section became a rallying ground for everyone’s inner Office Avenger. “Yeah, fuck Jim,” wrote u/somebodyelse22, while u/Silver_Reach_9540 claimed to have hated Jim from the moment they met him—and even before! Some suggested escalating the pettiness (within legal bounds, of course): u/glynndah recommended adding random objects to Jim’s cart, like “a few random bolts” or a “big key ring with a shitload of old keys.” u/Harrymoto1970 offered a more technical approach: “Lower the tire pressure in one tire one day and rotate through. Figuring out the cause will drive him a little bit crazy.”
There was even a mini-debate about whether the OP’s tactics were too Dwight Schrute-esque. “Calm down, Pam,” joked u/CoderJoe1, to which OP retorted, “Or Roy.” (For the uninitiated, these are references to The Office—because naturally, every workplace Jim needs a Dwight.)
But the most poignant insight came from u/Honest-Abe-SD: “Sometimes the sweetest revenge is only known to you, oblivious to others, and causes your target to question their sanity/reality. So sweet, especially for arrogant ones...they stay in the box with their dumb smirk, unable to ever realize they’re your punchline.”
What We Can Learn from Petty Revenge
Beyond the laughs and creative suggestions (panty liners in the cart, anyone?), this saga highlights a universal truth: When management fails, morale plummets, and sometimes the only way to survive is with a little mischief. As OP themselves admitted, “I think it bothers Jim that he can’t get a rise out of me.” Silence, it turns out, is sometimes the loudest (and most maddening) response.
But as many commenters pointed out, there’s a line. No property damage, no outright malice—just enough pettiness to reclaim your sanity and give your coworkers a story to tell. “Nothing like a good snub!!!!!” cheered u/BarneyPoppy.
So, next time you’re faced with a Jim, remember: You don’t have to stoop to their level. Sometimes, all it takes is a cleverly placed universal key, a missing screwdriver, and the power of a well-timed snub.
Conclusion: Have You Met Your Jim?
Petty revenge isn’t always the answer, but sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps you sane (and laughing) at work. Have you faced a Jim? Did you get creative or keep your cool? Share your stories—or your best petty revenge ideas—in the comments below. And remember, as the great Reddit hive mind has proven: you’re never alone in the battle against the Jims of the world.
Original Reddit Post: Later hater