'I made her like me despite herself': Woman proves kindness is the greatest tool when dealing with haughty neighbors, happy ending ensues

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

May 27, 2023 10:00 AM EDT

Not all petty revenge has to turn out negatively for the receiving party—ever heard of the age old saying "k!ll 'em with kindness!"? It doesn't always work, in fact, sometimes it might make the situation even worse. But it seems that the internet agrees that 99% of the time, it is the best weapon against entitled people. One Redditor shared her success story in using the technique as a form of "petty revenge" and it even has a happy ending!

The poster says on the Reddit thread that she didn't have the easiest life growing up. She came from a totalitarian dictatorship, to a UN refugee camp, and finally to a Western country. There she met her husband and they moved to a nice family-oriented neighborhood. While living there, the neighbors warned her about an entitled couple with fancy pants-y dog breeds that always stuck their noses up at people they passed and didn't want any "mutt" dogs interacting with their "pure breeds." She encountered them a few times passing on walks in the neighborhood and their reputation proceeded them.

She remembered her dad teaching her that "being nice" was the most powerful defense weapon, so she decided to try it out. Every time she saw the couple, she would be extra kind to them. She would say hello, ask them how their day was, wish them good days, and just be overall as nice as possible to them. At first they were a little stand-offish, but eventually they started accepting the kindness, until one day they even started reciprocating it. The kindness technique worked and the Reddit poster didn't even have to stoop down to their level.

Eventually, the haughty couple (now friendly acquaintances) moved and the Redditor didn't see them for a while. Until one day, after the poster had her first baby, she was new to a mommy help group where the kids could be watched and the moms get a chance to relax and socialize. She didn't know anyone and you know how it is being new to an already established group. Luckily, she saw a friendly hand gesturing for her to come over and it was the haughty woman also there with her new baby! They chatted and are now presumed to be officially friends.

What a happy ending! Seriously, there are enough jerks in the world, more people should default to kindness. Read the full story below!