Revenge Pranks

People who have been the victim of a prank or a practical joke may be considering taking action against the perpetrator in the form of revenge pranks. Before going ahead, it's important to consider the possible consequences.

The Urge to Get Back at Someone

When we have been made to feel foolish or treated poorly, wanting to get our own back is a normal response. We want the other person to feel the same way that we did, or even worse.

The idea of a person who has been wronged being compensated in some way is an ancient one. Our modern civil courts are designed for people to seek compensation for damages, if the damages are significant enough. This idea is common to societies around the world, but hopefully people who are thinking of playing revenge pranks will think through what they are planning to avoid any legal consequences after the fact.

What to Think About Before Playing Revenge Pranks

When considering whether playing revenge pranks is a good idea, first look at whether the other person's actions really warrant the prank. A minor transgression that the other person may not even remember is probably not important enough to warrant a full-blown revenge prank.

On the other hand, there are some transgressions that are deemed so severe that pulling revenge pranks isn't appropriate, either. In the case of a cheating boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse, the urge to make them pay will likely go way beyond pulling a prank on them. Going for counseling, ending the relationship and/or contacting an attorney may be a better choice in that situation.

Before playing a prank to get back at someone, it's important to consider safety issues. A joke that annoys or embarrasses someone is one thing, but you want to avoid doing anything that will injure them or constitutes breaking the law.

Examples of Safe Revenge Pranks

If you have given the matter due consideration and you still want to go ahead to get back at someone, check out these examples of safe revenge pranks.

Sneak Sneeze Attack

This is a simple prank that packs a big "Ewwww" factor. Put a small amount of water in your cupped hands and walk up behind someone. Pretend to sneeze and splash the water at the back of the person's head. This prank involves some finesse, since if the object of the prank turns around when you approach them from behind, you will lose your chance to play the joke. If you get caught with water in your cupped hands, you will lose the element of surprise, so this prank is likely a one-shot thing.

Fake Poopie Trick

This prank is a bit more sophisticated than the phony dog poop that people used to buy at joke shops. Get some clay that is the right color and make it look more realistic by adding some corn or chopped carrots. Then leave it beside the toilet so that the victim will spot it the next time they want to use the facilities. You will want to position yourself close to the door so that you can see their reaction when they come out.

The Crickets in the Dorm Room Trick

This revenge prank is a good one when you want to get back at a college bully. Go to a pet store that sells live crickets and buy a couple of hundred of them. Let them loose in the victim's dorm room. The insects are small enough that they can get into small spaces and when the sun goes down, they will start to chirp. Even if the victim manages to find a few crickets, he or she will not be able to find them all, and with a bit of luck, the prank can go on for at least a few sleepless nights.

By all means, be creative when you are thinking about revenge pranks, but be sure that you don't set the victim off enough that they start thinking about ways to prank you back!