When Wrong Numbers Meet Petty Revenge: A Dad, a Phone, and a Chinese Takeout Saga
Have you ever had the thrill of petty revenge served up with a side of egg rolls? For one Redditor’s dad, wrong-number callers became the unwitting recipients of a delicious twist—literally! This is the story of a retired Boston-area dad, a persistently misdialed number, and the most unexpected way to get back at folks who just won’t double-check their digits before calling for Chinese takeout.
If you’ve ever fantasized about getting back at someone with a harmless prank, or if you just appreciate stories where the universe hands someone a perfectly-timed opportunity, you’ll want to pull up a chair. And maybe a menu.
A Phone Call, a Dad, and a Dash of Mischief
Our tale begins in a cozy condo on Revere Beach, north of Boston. The Redditor, fresh from military service overseas, drops in to visit Mom and Dad. All is well until the phone rings. Mom’s eyes roll—a sign, perhaps, of familiar annoyance. Dad answers, grabs a pen, and starts taking down what sounds suspiciously like a takeout order: “The 15B? The 17A? Ok, 20 minutes.”
Confused, the Redditor asks, “What was that all about?”
Dad, with the casual air of a man who’s been here before, explains: “New Chinese restaurant. Really, really good too!” He hands over a menu. Mom chimes in with a rave review about the place being just up the street and absolutely the best.
But the real punchline? Their phone number is just one digit off from the new restaurant’s—and Dad, tired of fielding misdialed orders, has started taking them. Not to deliver, not to correct, but to let the hungry, hasty dialers stew in their own absent-mindedness.
As Dad succinctly puts it: "Their number is 3397. Our number is 3391. Fuckers who can't put on their glasses before dialing can go hungry."
Petty Revenge: The Spice of Life
Let’s be honest: there’s something universally satisfying about a little petty revenge, especially when it’s harmless and creative. In a world where kindness is often recommended (and rightly so), it’s fun to see someone draw a line and do it with style.
Instead of letting the calls get under his skin, or raising his blood pressure, Dad embraces the chaos, and turns it into his own private joke. The fact that Mom is probably complicit—after all, she tried the polite route only to be met with rudeness from confused callers—just makes this family’s solution all the richer.
The Art of the Wrong Number
Wrong numbers are a rite of passage for anyone with a landline, but rarely do they birth stories this good. Usually, it’s a quick “Sorry, wrong number!” and you hang up. But in this case, repeated wrong-number calls became the perfect opportunity for some low-stakes mischief.
Let’s break down why this is so satisfying: - The Callers’ Just Desserts: If you can’t take the time to check the number, maybe you deserve to be left waiting for food that will never arrive. - The Family’s Teamwork: Mom tries to be nice, callers get nasty, and Dad steps in with his own flavor of justice. Teamwork makes the dream work! - A Harmless Prank: No one is really hurt. At worst, a hungry caller waits a little longer before realizing they’ll need to redial. At best, maybe they learn to double-check next time.
Why We Love Stories Like This
There’s a reason this post shot up the ranks on r/PettyRevenge with thousands of upvotes and comments. It taps into a universal fantasy: the chance to push back—just a little—against the minor annoyances that pepper our lives. And who among us hasn’t wanted to give a little back to the rude, the careless, or the downright lazy?
But it’s not just about the revenge. It’s about family, about shared jokes, and about making the best of a nuisance. In a world of big problems, sometimes the small victories—like letting a rude caller wait for General Tso’s that will never come—are the sweetest.
The Takeout (Pun Intended)
So next time you dial up your favorite takeout joint, double-check that number. You never know whose dad is on the other end, ready to take your order—and your dignity—for a little stroll up the street.
Do you have a story of petty revenge or a family member with a flair for mischief? Share it in the comments below! We’d love to hear your tales of delicious comeuppance.
Life’s too short not to have a little fun with wrong numbers. And in the world of petty revenge, sometimes the best dish is served… not at all.
What’s the pettiest (yet harmless) revenge you’ve ever witnessed? Tell us your story!
Original Reddit Post: My damn Dad