When Ghosting a Date Turns Into the Ultimate Petty Revenge (and a Surprisingly Chill Friendship)
Dating in the digital age is a wild ride, but nothing prepares you for the first time you get ghosted—or, better yet, when you get the chance to serve that icy dish right back. Recently, a story from r/PettyRevenge took the internet by storm: a 24-year-old Redditor, u/Mrg0dan, found himself stood up by a Tinder date, only to turn the tables a week later with some deliciously petty payback. It’s a tale of anticipation, disappointment, and, in the end, the kind of poetic justice only those who have navigated the murky waters of online dating can truly appreciate.
If you’ve ever been left on read, meticulously planned an outfit for a date that never happened, or just love stories of low-stakes vengeance, this one’s for you.
When Ghosting Gets Ghosted: The Setup
Our protagonist, let’s call him Dan, was in his late teens—footloose, fancy-free, and recently moved back in with his parents. He met a girl on Tinder. Sparks flew (over text, as they do), and for several weeks, things were looking promising. They bantered, they joked, they even planned an epic first date despite living over an hour apart. This was not your average “let’s grab coffee” arrangement; this was a coordinated operation involving time off, car cleaning, and no small amount of nervous anticipation.
The big day arrived. Dan got up early, cleaned his truck within an inch of its life, and texted his date to see if she was ready. She replied, “Almost! I’ll text when I’m done. Don’t leave yet.” Polite, right? But as the hours ticked by and Dan’s phone remained stubbornly silent, the sinking feeling set in. One hour. Two hours. By 3 p.m., hope was officially canceled.
Two days later, she texted: “Sorry, just changed my mind. Didn’t feel like going out.” Ouch. Not even a creative excuse—just a shrugging emoji in text form.
The Petty Plot Twist
Most of us would have rage-unmatched, blocked, or vented to friends. Not Dan. He took the high road… and then made a delightfully petty detour. After she apologized, they actually arranged a second date. But by this time, Dan was over it. Instead of driving over, he texted her, “I’m ready to leave,” waited for her to say she was ready too, and then… nada. He let her stew for two whole hours, flipping the ghosting script.
She texted. She called. She probably watched her phone like a hawk, wondering if she’d been duped. Two days later, Dan responded with, “Sorry, I fell asleep.” If you’re wondering whether she blew up—surprise! She found it funny. “We’re even,” she declared, suggesting a real date to settle the score.
What’s the Petty Lesson Here?
There’s an art to petty revenge—striking that perfect balance between making your point and not going full-blown drama llama. Dan’s story nails it. He didn’t curse her out, or try to make her feel bad. He just delivered a taste of her own medicine, with a side of humor.
But the best part? Neither of them held a grudge. Instead, they laughed it off and became friends. Sometimes, the best way to handle being ghosted isn’t to get mad, but to play the game with a wink and a nudge. (And maybe, just maybe, to not invest a full tank of gas in someone until you’re sure the date is happening.)
Why Do We Love These Stories So Much?
Let’s face it: dating can be brutal, and everyone has a ghosting story. There’s something cathartic about hearing how someone managed to reclaim their dignity—and maybe even get a little chuckle out of it. Plus, it’s a reminder that, despite the awkwardness, not every dating mishap ends in disaster. Sometimes you end up with a new friend, a funny story, and a bit of closure.
So, Is Petty Revenge Ever Worth It?
Only you can decide if it’s worth your energy. Dan’s story ended in a win-win: he got his closure, a new friend, and a lesson in not taking Tinder too seriously. Just remember, the best revenge is living well—and maybe making someone laugh along the way.
What About You?
Ever been ghosted, or delivered some harmless, poetic payback of your own? Share your stories in the comments! The pettier, the better—because hey, if we can’t laugh about it, what’s the point?
Online dating is a jungle, but sometimes the best survival skill is having a sense of humor—and maybe a little bit of petty revenge in your back pocket.
Original Reddit Post: Ghosting a date.