When Malicious Compliance is a Joyride: The Tale of the Bank-Run Power Struggle
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in following orders a little too well—especially when those orders come from a bossy coworker who makes your workday feel like a reality show gone wrong. Imagine if the very task intended to annoy you becomes your favorite part of the day, all thanks to a little malicious compliance. Welcome to the wild world of workplace pettiness, where the bank run becomes a badge of honor and your least favorite coworker gets a taste of her own medicine.
Today, we’re diving into a story from u/pumpkinpav on Reddit’s r/MaliciousCompliance, where one liquor store employee’s journey from rookie driver to bank-run enthusiast serves up a masterclass in passive-aggressive triumph. Buckle up—this ride’s about to get entertaining.
The Setup: Meet “A”—The Queen of Coworker Chaos
Every workplace has that one person: the self-appointed manager, the serial complainer, the one who can clear a room faster than a fire drill. In this story, that role is played by “A,” a coworker so notoriously unpleasant that she’s driven away both customers and colleagues. Despite her lack of managerial status, “A” loves to delegate—especially when it comes to the daily bank deposit run.
Enter our hero: a freshly licensed driver, just three months on the road and still dodging construction cones like it’s Mario Kart. With only a week behind the wheel, the last thing anyone would want is a high-stakes errand during the morning rush. But “A” isn’t known for her empathy. She slams the deposit bag in front of our protagonist, demanding they take over her chore, complete with a side of attitude.
The Compliance: From Panic to Perk
Let’s be honest—going to the bank during your shift sounds like a nerve-wracking ordeal for a new driver. But after a quick argument and a reasonable request to have a practice run with a buddy, our soon-to-be bank-run pro takes on the task. And, surprise! It’s not so bad after all. In fact, it’s downright delightful.
What starts as a reluctant favor becomes a daily escape: half an hour out of the store, away from customers, away from “A,” and completely legit in the eyes of management. It’s a win-win—at least for one person.
The Twist: When the Tables Turn
But here’s where the story gets delicious. “A,” perhaps forgetting the sweet freedom of the mid-morning errand, starts to want her bank run back. Maybe she misses the break from customers, maybe she’s just mad that her plan to dump work on someone else has backfired. Either way, she starts insisting, “Oh, I’ll go today—you don’t have to.”
But our protagonist, now a seasoned deposit courier, isn’t giving up their golden ticket so easily. With a smile and a “No, it’s no big deal—I’ve got it!” they hold their ground. It’s compliance with a wink, and it drives “A” up the wall.
The situation escalates to the point where “A” complains to management. But the manager, fully aware of the original agreement (and, let’s face it, probably enjoying the drama), simply shrugs: “You asked her to do it, she likes doing it, I don’t see the problem here.”
The Takeaway: Petty Wins Can Be Sweet
Is it petty? Absolutely. But that’s the beauty of malicious compliance: sometimes, the stakes are low, but the satisfaction is sky-high. This story is a reminder that you don’t always have to confront toxic coworkers head-on. Sometimes, you just have to outlast them—preferably while enjoying a nice, quiet drive to the bank.
And let’s be real: who among us hasn’t secretly relished a little workday escape, especially when it comes at the expense of someone who’s made the office miserable? It’s the small victories that keep us sane.
Sound Off: What’s Your “Bank Run”?
Have you ever turned an annoying request into your favorite part of the job? Or managed to serve up a little malicious compliance of your own? Drop your stories in the comments—we’d love to hear your tales of petty workplace triumph!
And remember: next time someone tries to shove their least favorite task onto your plate, you just might find a way to make it the best part of your day.
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Original Reddit Post: Coworker demands I go to the bank in her place