“I Emailed His Mom”: 30 Women’s Best Post-Breakup Petty Revenge

Sometimes, the pettiest revenge can be the most insidious. For example, just moving some items around. Interestingly, the Ministry for State Security (the Stasi) in communist-era East Germany would use a similar tactic. They would, for example, break into the homes of dissidents and move the furniture around just a little bit. 

The idea would be to create a sense of unease, without a clear perpetrator. After all, the person would notice at some point but be in a state of constant doubt, questioning if they simply forgot their own actions. It would also cause strain in relationships, as partners would blame each other for misplaced items.

However, setting aside the horrific crimes of a secret police force, “petty” actions are often the most effective precisely because they are too limited to invoke any sort of hostile response. Calling someone out might not be as effective as just maliciously complying with what they seem to want, since it forces them to acknowledge their own actions. 

It’s also a pretty subtle, yet effective way to make sure someone understands that if their behavior continues, it’s only going to get worse. For the stories here, centered around breakups, this “final act of pettiness” might also serve as a good form of closure. Sometimes dumping a horrible partner isn’t enough, it’s best to finish with that feeling that you gave them what they deserved.