The Petty Art of Self-Destruction: When Staying Single Becomes Revenge
When it comes to petty revenge, some people will go to extraordinary lengths to “punish” those who’ve wronged them. But what if the only person truly suffering is the one plotting their own downfall? That’s exactly what happened in a recent viral tale from Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge, where one woman decided her ultimate act of vengeance would be… staying single. Not only did the story spark laughter across the internet, but it also raised some fascinating questions about friendship, boundaries, and self-sabotage.
When Revenge Backfires: “I’ll Stay Single… Just to Spite You!”
Reddit user u/metamorphosisSss shared an account that’s as deliciously dramatic as it is baffling. After cutting off a needy and jealous friend (let’s call her “Dumpling Girl”—a nickname that, as several commenters gleefully pointed out, has become infamous in Reddit lore), our OP thought she was finally free from drama. But Dumpling Girl had one last card to play: a message relayed via a mutual friend, swearing she’d never forgive OP for “abandoning” her and, in a true masterstroke of petty vengeance, that she would never attend another dating event or get a boyfriend—just to make OP feel guilty.
The punchline? OP wasn’t moved. Instead, she laughed. “It sounds like revenge on herself instead of me,” she wrote, echoing the collective eye roll of the entire r/PettyRevenge community.
Community Reactions: “Cutting Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face”
Redditors wasted zero time dissecting the situation with their trademark mix of insight and snark. The top-rated comment, from u/Lorelessone, cuts right to the heart: “How mental does she have to be to hate you for not doing singles meetups with her when you’re in a relationship?” It’s a reminder that some people take friendship entitlement to truly Olympic levels.
Others saw the revenge for what it was: self-inflicted misery. “There’s a very old saying in the UK that perfectly describes what she is doing—she has cut off her nose to spite her face,” wrote u/hengehanger, prompting agreement from others who pointed out the global applicability of this idiom.
Meanwhile, some commenters couldn’t resist poking fun at the melodrama. “38 going on 15,” quipped u/TheDuke1847, while u/SheiB123 declared, “She doesn’t just have issues, she has a subscription.” The consensus? Dumpling Girl’s “plan” was less a masterstroke, more a masterclass in self-sabotage.
Toxic Friendships and Psychic Vampires
As the story unfolded, many Redditors chimed in with their own tales of toxic friends—those “psychic vampires” who drain your energy and thrive on one-upping and manipulation. u/Hello_Hangnail described escaping a friend who constantly tried to provoke jealousy and drama, concluding with a triumphant, “I WIN.” The catharsis was palpable; for many, OP’s willingness to block and move on was both relatable and aspirational.
Others offered more serious insights. “She massively overestimates how much people care about her and her opinions,” observed u/Immolating_Cactus. It’s a cautionary note: some people truly believe their actions have seismic impacts on others, when in reality, the world spins on blissfully unaware.
The Real Petty Revenge: Freedom and Peace
If there’s a hero in this story, it’s OP—not for any act of retaliation, but for reclaiming her peace. As u/SaucyHammy put it, “It’s clear cutting her off was the right choice, and her ‘revenge’ just shows how stuck she is in her own drama. You’re better off without that negativity in your life.”
Several commenters even thanked OP for her “service” in removing such toxicity from the dating pool. “On behalf of all the good men out there, thank you,” joked u/CoderJoe1, while others noted the relief future potential partners might feel at being spared.
And then there’s the wisdom of u/kubrador, who likened Dumpling Girl’s threat to a child holding their breath until they get their way: “She’s punishing herself to teach you a lesson you’re not gonna learn, which is peak friend energy.”
Own Goals and Moving On
So, what’s the moral of this absurd saga? As u/bahcodad succinctly put it, “Yeah this is completely an own goal on her part.” Sometimes, people’s attempts to wound us only reveal their own insecurities and pettiness. The best revenge, it turns out, is a life lived free of drama—preferably with a slice of pizza and a solid group of friends who don’t hold dumplings hostage.
If you ever find yourself the target of this kind of “revenge,” remember: you’re not required to play along. As multiple commenters suggested, the best response is none at all—a strategy OP seems to have mastered.
Have you ever been the “villain” in someone else’s petty narrative? Or had a friend who just couldn’t let go without a parting shot? Share your stories below—because sometimes, the best way to deal with petty drama is to laugh about it with people who get it.
Let’s hear your own tales of accidental revenge, toxic friendships, or the weirdest “punishments” you’ve ever received!
Original Reddit Post: 'As revenge, I will stay single and leave you in guilt!'