The Art of Petty Revenge: How a Can of Butane Served Up Cold Karma
There are few things more universally infuriating than watching someone blatantly cut in line—especially when the victims are seniors or people with disabilities just trying to mind their own business. In a world where small acts of decency can make a big difference, witnessing such disregard for others often makes us wish karma worked a little faster.
But every now and then, the universe delivers. Or, in this case, a clever Redditor does.
A Smug Line-Cutter and the Butane He Never Saw Coming
Our story begins in the checkout lanes of a grocery store, where u/ImbaBrenny patiently waited as a parade of everyday shopping drama unfolded. On one side, a priority lane for the elderly and people with disabilities—conveniently equipped with chairs for those who can’t stand for long. On the other, our protagonist, quietly observing as an all-too-familiar villain enters: the Line-Cutter.
This wasn’t just any line-cutter. This was a man so brazen, he sauntered past seated seniors, inserted himself at the front, and, when called out by our hero, retorted, “I don’t see them standing in line though.” The dismissiveness! The audacity! The collective sigh of the internet was almost audible.
While the seniors chose not to escalate, u/ImbaBrenny’s sense of justice simmered. But unlike most of us who just grumble and stew, this Redditor spotted an opportunity for poetic payback—a single, crucial can of butane in the rude man’s shopping cart. As fate would have it, while the man was distracted on his phone, our avenger smoothly relocated the can to their own cart, paid for it, and walked away with both groceries and a delicious secret.
Somewhere out there, our smug line-cutter likely arrived at his campsite ready to fire up a feast—only to discover his portable stove was as useless as his manners.
Why This Petty Revenge Resonated: The Sweetness of Just Desserts
It’s no wonder this story caught fire (pun intended) on r/PettyRevenge, racking up over 42,000 upvotes and nearly 800 comments. Why did it strike such a chord? Because it’s the perfect blend of subtlety, consequence, and poetic irony.
As u/National_Pension_110 put it, “Thank you for this nugget of petty revenge. You made the world a better place.” It’s the sort of justice that avoids confrontation, yet leaves a lasting impact—especially if the perp never quite figures out how he wronged himself.
One commenter, u/EverythingSucksYo, captured the beauty of it: “Yeah, now he has to waste more time getting gas than it would’ve taken him to just wait in line. It’s perfect.” The universe couldn’t have scripted it better.
And let’s not forget the all-important question of awareness. As u/TellTaleReaper mused, “He'll never know it was a consequence of his actions, so idk if the world was improved :/ but hey, it was posted to petty revenge for a reason lol. Screw that guy.” But u/Photodan24 had the last word on that: “Schadenfreude doesn't always require them knowing they brought it upon themselves.”
Community Wisdom: Karma, Cold Ramen, and Trophy Souvenirs
The r/PettyRevenge community was quick to pile on with both kudos and creative expansions. Some imagined the aftermath with glee. “Somewhere, that man is chewing cold ramen and still wondering where he went wrong. Incredible work,” wrote u/Best-Confection1646, while u/SoSoloYo hoped for maximum effect: “I hope his campsite is waaaaaaay out in the sticks. Like over an hour from the nearest store.”
Others were inspired by the potential for a lasting memento. “You got a souvenir to remember it! Get it mounted in a trophy or plaque,” suggested u/1quirky1, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of a well-executed petty act.
The logistics, too, became a mini-debate. Why pay for the can at all? u/Psianth wondered, “I don’t understand why they paid for it in the first place. ‘I changed my mind on this, sorry.’ Lol, the cashier is not gonna bat an eye.” But u/Big-Adamsid had the true petty logic: “You pay for the butane so you have a trophy to remind yourself of just how petty you were that day.”
And for those worried about the morality of “stealing”—well, u/Greengiant2021 summed it up: “You actually didn’t steal anything. You merely introduced that inconsiderate arrogant bully to a bit of karma.”
The Petty Edge: Why We Love These Stories
What makes stories like this so deeply satisfying? Maybe it’s the David vs. Goliath dynamic, the subtlety of the retribution, or just the feeling that, for once, someone got their comeuppance without anyone having to raise their voice.
As u/Numerical-Wordsmith pointed out, the consequences go beyond just a cold meal: “He'll probably have to drive or walk from his campsite to the nearest convenience store and pay triple the price, if he wants to heat anything up.” And, as u/yearofthesquirrel noted, sometimes the best revenge is the self-doubt left behind: “He’s going to be thinking ‘I definitely had some butane. I remember putting it in the cart’. And then he’s going to be consumed by self-doubt about everything…”
That’s the beauty of petty revenge: it doesn’t need to be loud. Sometimes, it’s just a can of butane and the knowledge that somewhere, a line-cutter’s dinner is as cold as his manners.
Final Thoughts: How Would You Serve Your Revenge?
In the end, petty acts like these spark joy not just because they’re clever, but because they stand up—quietly, creatively—for those who can’t or won’t stand up for themselves. Whether you think the world was improved or just made more entertaining, we all agree: sometimes, the smallest actions have the most satisfying impact.
So, what’s your favorite petty revenge story? Would you have done the same—or gone for the marshmallows instead? Share your stories and let’s keep karma rolling, one can of butane at a time!
Original Reddit Post: I 'stole' from a shopping cart