When Office Politics Get Smelly: The Hilariously Petty Tale of the Fishy Company Van
There are few things more universal than workplace politics—unless it’s the satisfaction of a perfectly executed, low-stakes act of petty revenge. If you’ve ever worked in a small office, you know that the communal fridge, shared coffee machine, and—of course—the coveted company vehicle can all become battlegrounds for power and pettiness. But sometimes, when a manager’s ego goes on overdrive, employees band together for a little poetic justice.
Today’s story, plucked from the annals of Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge, is a masterclass in turning the tables—with a side of seafood. Or, more accurately, seafood fertilizer. Buckle up—this van ride is about to get…fishy.
The Van That Launched a Thousand Grudges
Our narrator, u/starchysock, worked at a small company where the Chrysler Voyager van was the unsung hero of lunch runs, office errands, and the occasional gear pickup. It was a shared resource, the kind of thing everyone took for granted—until the new manager rolled into town. Suddenly, the van’s destiny changed: it was to become His Van, exclusively for his use, his errands, and (as fate would have it) his olfactory suffering.
But before the van could be wrested from the hands of its long-time users, our protagonist had one last legitimate mission: picking up crucial (and expensive) test gear near home. After a long day, they drove the van home, handled the business, and brought it back—only to be met by a scowling manager, incensed that he’d been forced to take a cab.
“You Left Me High and Dry!”
To be fair, nobody likes being left stranded, but the manager’s indignation was a little rich considering he’d unilaterally claimed the office van as his own. “So, you left me high and dry…” he grumbled, to which our hero responded with the most reasonable of explanations—test equipment! Critical company mission! “Well, I had to take a cab!” the manager huffed, apparently traumatized by the ordeal.
And so, the fate of the van was sealed. No more group lunch rides. No more quick errands. The van was now the exclusive domain of management.
When Life Gives You Lemons… Buy Fish Fertilizer
But what’s an office without a little harmless mischief? Sensing the end of an era, our narrator and coworkers devised a plan. If the van was going to be taken from them, they’d send it off in style—or at least, in stench.
A trip to the nursery yielded an unsuspecting canister of fish fertilizer oil. For those unfamiliar, this stuff is legendary for its pungency. Just a few drops can transform a garden’s soil; a generous helping hidden inside door panels and under seats can turn a van into an olfactory nightmare—especially in the sweltering heat of summer.
Handing over the keys with straight faces, the team waited.
The Smell of Sweet Revenge
As the days passed, the manager’s complaints echoed through the office: “Something stinks in that van!” “I can’t find the source!” Meanwhile, our heroes carpooled away in a coworker’s Mercedes, stifling laughter and savoring the satisfaction of a perfectly executed prank.
It’s the kind of revenge that’s both harmless and hilarious—no real damage, just a lingering reminder that sometimes, wielding power too eagerly can come back to bite you (or at least, to haunt your nostrils).
Why Does Petty Revenge Feel So Good?
Let’s be real: few of us dream of grand, dramatic comeuppance in the workplace. What we really crave is the small, silent win—the clever prank, the subtle dig, the joke only you and your fellow conspirators understand. There’s a certain camaraderie in shared mischief, especially when the target is someone who’s thrown their weight around a little too much.
And the best petty revenge? It’s poetic, fitting, and—most importantly—doesn’t cross the line into true malice. In this case, a stinky van is a far cry from sabotage, but it’s enough to make the point: respect the team, or risk being haunted by the ghosts of fish fertilizer past.
Your Turn: What’s Your Favorite Office Prank?
Have you ever experienced a similar case of office vehicle drama or witnessed a petty revenge that left you cackling at your desk? Maybe your office has its own legendary tales of pranks gone (mostly) right. Drop your stories in the comments below—let’s keep the spirit of creative, harmless retaliation alive!
And if you’re a manager reading this… maybe don’t hog the company van.
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Original Reddit Post: Something's Fishy