When Tuna Strikes Back: A Petty Office Revenge That Left a Fishy Impression
Office life is a wild jungle, complete with predators, prey, and—if you’re unlucky—a conniving coworker with the backstabbing prowess of a reality TV villain. Most of us have encountered that one colleague: the master manipulator, the rumor mill’s MVP, the queen (or king) of two-faced behavior. If you’ve ever fantasized about getting a tiny bit of revenge on such a nemesis, you’ll want to grab some popcorn for this story.
Recently, Reddit user u/honeybunchesofnope87 shared a tale on r/PettyRevenge that has the internet in stitches—and maybe a little hungry for tuna. It’s a story of survival, subtle payback, and the undeniable satisfaction of serving up justice… with a side of fish.
Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Room Temperature
Our protagonist finds herself pitted against a workplace adversary whose methods would make even Machiavelli blush. This coworker’s resume includes fabricating stories that led to undeserved write-ups, spreading slanderous rumors, and perfecting the “fake friendly” routine. Imagine being undermined at every turn, then having to endure your nemesis’ forced laughs at the water cooler. If you’re nodding in empathy, you’re certainly not alone.
But how does one fight back against such a subtle saboteur? With pettiness, of course!
Enter the infamous tuna pouch. After another exhausting day at the office, u/honeybunchesofnope87 decided that enough was enough. The universe provided the perfect weapon: a pouch of tuna, a notoriously pungent lunch choice. With a little “accidental” clumsiness, the fishy contents found their way onto her tormentor’s cloth office chair.
Was it the most mature response? Absolutely not. Was it poetic justice? Well, the Reddit upvotes speak for themselves.
Why Does Petty Revenge Feel So Good?
Let’s be honest: Most of us are conditioned to take the high road. We read articles about keeping calm, maintaining professionalism, and “letting it go.” But there’s something cathartic about a harmless, petty act that doesn’t cause lasting harm—but lets the offender know the universe is keeping score.
Petty revenge isn’t about escalation; it’s about a small, symbolic victory. In this case, the victim didn’t sabotage work projects or ruin reputations. Instead, she orchestrated a scenario where her adversary would spend the day smelling like a fish market, with no clue as to why. It’s the kind of passive resistance that’s more satisfying than flipping the bird in traffic—because it lingers (literally).
The Tuna Heard ‘Round the Office
The beauty of this act lies in its subtlety. Office chairs are notoriously difficult to clean—especially cloth ones. Anyone who’s tried to remove a lunch mishap from one knows that the smell becomes a sort of uninvited coworker itself. The guilty party doesn’t even need to witness the aftermath to know that justice has been served; the knowledge alone is enough.
The Reddit comments section exploded with applause, confessions of similar petty feats, and a universal sense of camaraderie. After all, who among us hasn’t fantasized about some small, harmless payback for an office wrong?
Lessons in Low-Stakes Justice
Is petty revenge the answer to every workplace woe? Probably not. But there’s a lesson here about boundaries, self-advocacy, and the power of humor in adversity. Sometimes, the only way to reclaim a little dignity is to play the game on your own terms—even if it means a chair might need to be Febrezed for the next month.
If you’re facing a conniving coworker, remember: The best revenge is living well. But sometimes, the second-best revenge is a tuna pouch in just the right place.
What’s Your Petty Revenge Story?
Have you ever gotten sweet, small-scale justice at work? Share your tales of office payback in the comments! Whether it’s a stapler swap, a mysterious keyboard crumb, or a “lost” stapler, we’re here to celebrate the art of harmless, hilarious revenge.
Because sometimes, the only way to survive the modern workplace… is to get a little fishy.
Did this story make you laugh, cringe, or recall your own petty revenge? Let us know below, and don’t forget to share with your favorite office ally!
Original Reddit Post: Coworker gets just a small ounce of revenge she deserves