Twenty Years Later, Karma Arrives in the Mail: The Chilling Power of Petty Revenge
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in delivering justice—especially when it’s wrapped in a Hallmark envelope and arrives two decades late. We’ve all had “that neighbor”—the one who turns a smile into a sneer the second you’re not looking. But what happens when their frosty attitude finally gets its comeuppance, courtesy of a long memory and a well-timed greeting card? Welcome to the saga of “A Note Best Served Cold”—a Reddit petty revenge story that’s equal parts hilarious, relatable, and oh-so-satisfying.
Imagine this: You move into a lovely community, full of friendly faces and neighborhood BBQs. But next door, the Queen of Exclusion reigns. She’s got a smile for the HOA president and a cold shoulder for anyone who doesn’t fit her picture-perfect mold. Your only crime? Being a renter. The offense? Unforgivable, apparently.
When Renters Become Pariahs
Our tale begins over 20 years ago, with Reddit user u/pdxjen and their family experiencing the not-so-warm welcome from their neighbor. While everyone else in the neighborhood seemed perfectly content with their new presence, this one lady had a vendetta. Why? Because they were renting—never mind that they were starting a business and just trying to make ends meet.
But petty knows no bounds. This neighbor went out of her way to ice out the family’s kids, orchestrating playdates that excluded them, calling her own children inside whenever the “renters’ kids” appeared, and generally making the family feel unwelcome. And, in classic mean-girl fashion, she somehow remained popular among the rest of the community. (A+ for commitment to the bit, I suppose.)
Success is the Best Revenge… Or Is It?
Fast forward a few years: the business took off, the family bought a house just four blocks away in the same community, and life moved on. But the sting of being snubbed—for something as ridiculous as renting—never truly faded. Let’s face it: some slights stick with you, especially when your kids are involved. And if you’re a parent, you know—mess with the cubs, and you’ll meet the mama (or papa) bear.
The Long Game: Revenge by Greeting Card
Cut to present day. Our protagonist now lives states away, the kids are grown, and the neighbor is likely still reigning supreme in her cul-de-sac. But, as the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold. In this case, it’s served with a side of “greetings from your past.”
u/pdxjen decided to send a beautifully ambiguous greeting card—just a little note to let the neighbor know what a “nasty bitch” she’d been. No signature. No return address. Just a cryptic, snarky message, postmarked from far, far away. The mental image of this neighbor, decades later, opening her mail and puzzling over the origins of the card? Priceless.
It gets better: the author muses about making this a tradition, dropping postcards from exotic locales every few years. Will the neighbor ever figure it out? Doubtful. Will she ever stop wondering who she wronged so deeply? Also doubtful. And that, dear readers, is the beauty of petty revenge—it isn’t about grand gestures, but about the little, lingering reminders that karma has a long memory (and, apparently, a stamp collection).
The Sweet Science of Petty Revenge
There’s something universally appealing about these stories. Maybe it’s because we’ve all been there—excluded for arbitrary reasons, slighted by people who never seem to get their comeuppance. Petty revenge isn’t about malice; it’s about balance. It’s about the satisfaction of knowing you’ve tipped the scales, just a little, in your favor.
Plus, let’s be honest: the image of a mean neighbor losing sleep over mysterious, decades-old mail? That’s the kind of poetic justice that makes the internet (and Reddit, especially) such a delightful place.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Mess with the Quiet Ones
So, what’s the lesson here? Don’t mess with your neighbors—especially the ones who keep their cards close to the chest (literally). You never know when karma might show up in your mailbox, sealed with a stamp and a twenty-year-old grudge.
Have you ever gotten your own petty revenge? Or maybe you’re still plotting the perfect comeback, years later? Share your stories in the comments below—because as we’ve learned, some paybacks are worth the wait.
What’s the pettiest revenge you’ve ever pulled off (or dreamed of)? Drop your best tales below! And remember: sometimes, the most satisfying justice is the one that arrives when no one’s expecting it.
Original Reddit Post: A note best served cold