When Petty Revenge Speaks Your Language: How I Outsmarted the Italian Mean Girls in Math Class
Picture this: You’re in 10th grade math class, minding your own business, when the two new students behind you seem blissfully unaware you can understand every word they say—in their native language. It’s a classic “fly on the wall” scenario, except you’re the fly, and the wall is made of pure, undiluted pettiness.
Reddit user u/wingless-bee brought the internet this delicious slice of revenge pie—a story that proves sometimes the best comebacks are served with a side of perfect timing (and maybe a little vocabulary you picked up when no one was watching).
When the Joke’s on Them: The Language Barrier That Wasn’t
Let’s set the scene: Our protagonist, a regular math student with a secret talent for Italian, is stuck in front of two new Italian girls who, week after week, seem to find the same seats directly behind him. They’ve never exchanged a word, but apparently, that’s not stopped these girls from conducting a running commentary on his life—right in his earshot.
Here’s where things get spicy: The Italian duo, thinking themselves safely cloaked in their native tongue, let loose with playground-level cruelty. “Ughh... his head in my line of sight.” “Fat little cunt.” “The funniest part is, he actually thinks he's attractive.” All punctuated by giggles and the smug assurance that their language is a secret code.
Spoiler alert: It’s not.
Revenge: A Dish Best Served Bilingual
Imagine the shock, the urge to whirl around and deliver a scathing monologue in flawless Italian. But our hero... hesitates. He’s angry, yes—who wouldn’t be? But also nervous and stunned. Sometimes, the best zingers don’t come in the heat of the moment. Sometimes, you just need to wait for the universe to tee up the perfect pitch.
And oh, does the universe deliver.
A few days later, in the same class, fate intervenes. The teacher makes a harmless typo, and Girl 2, brimming with what can only be described as unearned bravado, mutters (just loud enough): “sporco stronzo” (“dirty asshole”) about the teacher.
The room is silent. The moment is perfect. Our protagonist turns around and, at full volume, asks, “Did you just call [teacher’s name] a dirty asshole?” The class freezes. The girls are caught mid-gloat. The teacher is, presumably, both confused and intrigued by their new Italian nickname.
Long story short: the girls get detention, justice is served, and a classroom learns you never know who’s listening—or what languages they speak.
Lessons in Petty Revenge (And Life)
What makes this story so satisfying isn’t just the poetic justice—it’s the sheer restraint and timing. Rather than lashing out in the moment, u/wingless-bee waits for the right opportunity, then lands a blow so perfect it echoes in two languages. It’s a masterclass in picking your moment.
There’s also a universal thrill in discovering that those who think they’re being clever are, in fact, just being careless. The girls’ insults weren’t just mean—they were reckless, assuming the world is smaller and more insular than it really is. It’s a reminder: the world is full of surprises, and you never know who’s got Google Translate (or Duolingo) on their side.
And let’s be honest: If you’re going to insult someone, at least make sure they don’t speak your language. Or better yet, just don’t be a jerk—math class is hard enough.
Revenge Is Sweet (And Sometimes Multilingual)
This story has everything: secret skills, mean girls, dramatic timing, and the sweet, sweet taste of petty revenge. But maybe the best part is what it teaches us: never underestimate the quiet kid in class. They might just be fluent in your language—and your just desserts.
Have you ever had a secret skill that came in handy at just the right moment? Or had your own moment of petty (but oh-so-satisfying) revenge? Share your stories in the comments below—bonus points if they include a surprise language twist!
And remember: in the universal language of karma, everyone gets what’s coming to them... eventually.
Original Reddit Post: I overheard two foreign students insulting me in a language they thought I couldn't speak