20 Little Things People Just Won’t Forget

It’s funny how those tiny moments can stick with us forever, even if we know they’re not worth the energy. Sometimes, it’s not even about the actual event—it’s the principle of it, or the sheer audacity of someone’s behavior. Holding onto those petty grudges can even be a little amusing in hindsight, like a reminder of how human we all are.

Got any “small but unforgettable” grudges you’ve been carrying around?

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That is peak petty grudge material—and honestly, totally justified! You put in the work, climbed the ranks, and then some underclassman swoops in and gets the prize? Absolutely infuriating. It’s like the academic equivalent of training for a marathon, only for someone to show up at mile 25 and get handed your medal.

You may be fine now, but let’s be real: that Latin seat should have had your name on it, and nothing will convince me otherwise.

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This is a chef’s kiss level of grudge—petty, justified, and forever simmering like that fridge in the summer sun. The irony of him now being the self-declared energy-saving guru just adds to the sting.

Honestly, you should print out your old utility bills and frame them as a reminder that you were right all along. And next time he mentions saving energy? Just whisper, “Outdoor fridge.”

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Classic sibling betrayal—the great cookie heist of your childhood. Honestly, that kind of injustice sticks with you. You should get custom cookies made that say “I was innocent” and hand them out at every family gathering.

And every time someone brings up family memories? Just lean in with, “Yeah, but remember when I took the fall for those cookies I didn’t eat?” Justice might be late, but it’ll be sweet (pun intended). 🍪

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That’s such a classic example of someone projecting their own insecurities onto others. The fact that she spent six whole years convinced you were faking something as small as moles is wild. Honestly, you’ve got every right to keep telling that story—it’s both ridiculous and a little hilarious. The best part? Your natural look was “anime cool” without even trying.

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Honestly, that’s the kind of grudge that feels completely justified. It wasn’t just about the price—it was about basic courtesy. A simple, “Yeah, it’s $8.99, prices have gone up lately,” would’ve made all the difference. Instead, they chose attitude over customer service. I’d be making that extra drive too, out of pure principle.

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That’s brutal—especially since you were the one who actually saved the shelf from a full-on disaster. The worst part is your so-called “friend” letting you take the fall. Honestly, that’s the kind of grudge that sticks forever, not just because of the money, but because of the betrayal from your friends and the shop’s total lack of fairness. You were the hero, and they treated you like the villain.

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That’s heartbreaking—kids can be cruel, but that kind of exclusion cuts deep, especially when it comes from someone who’s supposed to be on your side. The fact that it’s stuck with you all these years just shows how powerful those early experiences of rejection can be. You deserved support and encouragement, not that kind of ugliness. I hope that, looking back, you also recognize your own resilience for sticking it out despite how isolating that must’ve felt.

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That’s such a satisfying win—especially when it’s against a sibling who always comes out on top. Beating Mario first must’ve felt like unlocking a legendary achievement, and having your dad back you up by bringing it up later? Pure gold. I bet your brother still remembers that day, too, even if he doesn’t admit it.

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When I turned three, I got a tricycle as a birthday gift. Before I even had the chance to ride it, my 8-year-old cousin hopped on, broke it, and ruined my excitement. I was so mad that I refused to say his name for over five years—I only referred to him as “the guy who broke my tricycle.

#10

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I hosted a barbecue for friends, and while I was inside preparing a feast, my friend’s kids decided to pick all my green baby passion fruit and unripe baby lemons—literally hundreds of fruit—just to throw at each other. When I came outside, I was nearly in tears and scolded them, only for their parents to dismiss it, saying, “They’re just kids, get over it.” Honestly, I’m still not over it. Looking back, they weren’t great friends—or parents, for that matter.

#11

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Every time Christmas rolls around and someone mentions The Polar Express, I’m reminded of the time a boy copied my artwork in 2nd grade. We were supposed to draw our favorite scene from the movie, and the teacher promised a prize for the best drawing. He copied mine, won the prize, and to top it off, I got a talking-to about copying—when he was the one who copied me! Still stings to this day.

#12

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My mom grew up in Germany and speaks fluent German. When we were little, she’d speak it with her parents specifically so my brother and I wouldn’t understand. She outright refused to teach us the language, claiming we didn’t want to learn—as babies. You know, when kids are just starting to speak. It’s been over 40 years, and I’m still bitter about it because German is so damn hard to learn as an adult.

Edited to add: Maybe not exactly petty, but definitely something I’m still mad about after all these years.

#13

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When I was a kid, I had a Barbie blow-up chair, and before I even got the chance to sit in it, my brothers did. It popped almost immediately. Still hurts to this day.

#14

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My mom’s fully fluent in Spanish, and she stopped teaching me because my dad kept insisting I didn’t need it. Honestly, I think it was just him being petty—he probably didn’t want his ex-wife and daughter being bilingual while he wasn’t.

#15

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This didn’t even happen to me, but my mom told me about a Thanksgiving where her aunt peeled off the crispy turkey skin and threw it in the trash because “it’s not healthy for you.” I already wasn’t a fan of this aunt, but now? 😤

#16

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The year was 2004. I had a Kyocera Phantom phone with a long-running game of Tetris—two years deep, with the speed maxed out and a score in the bazillions (probably). While we were out to lunch, a friend picked up my phone and started a new game, wiping out all my progress. Later, she slept with my husband. But honestly? I’m still more mad about the Tetris game.

#17

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In 5th grade, our teacher only assigned homework on Wednesdays. One Wednesday, with the end-of-school bell just seconds away, we all realized the teacher had forgotten. Victory was within reach—until Sabina, the ultimate suck-up, raised her hand to remind the teacher it was homework day. I’m still pissed off about it. Screw you, Sabina, for denying us our small victory. I’m 68 now, and it still chaps my ass.

#18

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Cracker Jack really went downhill when they ditched the cool toys and replaced them with some crappy piece of paper. Total betrayal of childhood joy.

#19

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When my parents got divorced, neither of them wanted to keep our family dog—a sweet, healthy black lab mix we’d had for 7 years. I was 14, just starting high school, and begged everyone to keep her. My sister and her husband wouldn’t take her either, claiming, “We don’t want any dogs in the house.” We had to give her away, and I sobbed the entire day.

Not long after, my sister and her husband got a cocker spaniel.

It’s been 10 years, and even though she went to a good home, I’m still not over it.

#20

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When my wife was 18 (over 20 years ago), she met a band at a concert and asked for a picture and a hug. The lead singer hit her with, “We only hug pretty girls, sorry.”

The second I heard about it—ten years ago—he landed on my “on sight” list. What stings even more is that, back then, the band was barely on anyone’s radar, and now they’re pretty well-known.

Edit: For everyone asking, it was Theory of a Deadman. I’m sure the guy’s matured since then, but I’m not dropping the grudge.