The Art of the Polite Snub: How One 'Forgotten' Name Served Cold, Sweet Petty Revenge
Let’s be honest: the service industry is a jungle. Between wild shifts, wild personalities, and the occasional wild animal (looking at you, raccoon in the dumpster), it’s no wonder that drama brews as easily as a pot of diner coffee. But every so often, someone comes along who takes the drama to a whole new level. Enter: the barely-a-manager, a trust fund kid with a penchant for twerking in the dining room, a chronic case of “Do You Know Who I Am?” syndrome, and—of course—a taste for workplace booze.
But what happens when this queen of chaos tries to snub one of her former coworkers? Well, as Redditor u/Possible-External-33 recounts in a post that’s racked up over 2,000 upvotes on r/PettyRevenge, sometimes the sweetest revenge is served with nothing more than a smile—and a “Sorry, what was your name again?”
When Workplace Villains Get Their Just Desserts
If you’ve ever worked a hospitality or service job, you know the type: coasting on nepotism, doing the bare minimum, and making every shift feel like an episode of a reality TV show—minus the cameras and with worse pay. According to the OP, this so-called “manager” (more accurately, assistant supervisor, but let’s not split hairs) was notorious for clocking in drunk, blasting music, and generally turning the workplace into her personal nightclub.
Despite her antics, she managed to snag a position of power thanks to her connections. That is, until her luck ran out and she got fired for—you guessed it—drinking on the job.
But like all great service industry stories, the drama didn’t end at the termination letter. Months later, our hero’s spouse, a bartender at the very same establishment, had a run-in with the ex-manager. She asked him if he was still dating “that girl”—carefully omitting the OP’s name, despite knowing it perfectly well. The implication? A not-so-subtle jab, a way to minimize and disrespect someone she’d worked alongside for a year. Classic mean girl move.
The Petty Power of Forgetfulness
Now, most people would stew in silence or vent to friends over shift drinks. But u/Possible-External-33 knew that true petty revenge requires patience—and a flair for dramatic timing.
So when they finally crossed paths again, the ex-manager tried her usual routine: the fake friendly greeting, dripping with insincerity. But this time, the OP wasn’t biting. Instead, they replied with a masterclass in polite pettiness:
“Oh hey! How’s it going. I’m sorry but it seems I have forgotten your name. What was it again?”
Oof. If revenge is a dish best served cold, this one was straight out of the walk-in freezer. The look on the ex-manager’s face, according to the OP, was “priceless.” And isn’t that what we’re all after?
Why This Petty Move Works (And Why We Love It)
It’s easy to dismiss small acts of pettiness as immature, but let’s get real: sometimes you have to play the game to keep your own sanity. In the service industry, power dynamics can get tangled, and respect is currency. When someone repeatedly tries to diminish you, a little “forgetfulness” can be the perfect way to flip the script.
This isn’t just about one-upmanship. It’s about reclaiming your dignity from someone who tried to erase it. By pretending not to remember her name, the OP turned the tables—making the ex-manager feel invisible, if only for a moment. It’s poetic justice, with just enough sting to make the lesson stick.
And let’s be honest: if you’re known for being the center of attention, nothing hurts quite like being overlooked.
The Takeaway: Sometimes, Petty Is Powerful
If you’re dealing with a toxic ex-colleague or an over-entitled workplace villain, take a note from u/Possible-External-33’s playbook. You don’t have to raise your voice, cause a scene, or even say anything mean. Sometimes, the best revenge is as simple as making someone feel as unimportant as they tried to make you feel.
So next time you encounter a trust fund twerker with an axe to grind, remember: a little polite forgetfulness goes a long way. And if you need inspiration, just check out the full Reddit story here.
Have you ever served up your own slice of petty revenge? Share your favorite stories—and let’s toast to the unsung heroes of the service industry!
What’s your go-to move for dealing with difficult coworkers? Let us know in the comments below!
Original Reddit Post: An old 'manager' of mine snubbed me while talking to my spouse, today, I was vindicated