There’s nothing quite like the feeling of outsmarting someone who’s been rude to you, especially when it involves a little food-based payback.
A high school teacher’s rivalry with a colleague turned personal after he purposely excluded her from a doughnut delivery, but what he didn’t count on was her response.
Instead of getting upset or taking it lying down, she decided to turn the tables. What started as a simple doughnut became a memorable lesson in humility, leaving a toxic colleague with a taste of his own medicine, and mustard.
The expression on his face was worth more than any promotion.















The OP’s story is a vivid example of how workplace dynamics can devolve into toxic behavior, even among educators.
The colleague’s exclusionary act, deliberately omitting the OP’s name from the doughnut box and leaving a note saying, “Not you”, was a clear instance of workplace bullying. Such behavior not only undermines professional respect but also creates a hostile work environment.
According to the 2021 Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey, 30% of workers have directly experienced bullying, with 43.2% of remote workers reporting similar experiences Workplace Bullying Institute.
This statistic underscores the prevalence of toxic behavior in various work settings, including educational institutions.
Dr. Gary Namie, co-founder of the WBI, emphasizes the detrimental effects of workplace bullying, stating, “Workplace bullying is a significant public health issue that leads to stress, anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.”
This aligns with the OP’s experience, where the colleague’s actions likely contributed to a stressful and demoralizing work environment.
While the OP’s response, refilling the jelly-filled doughnut with mustard, was a creative form of retaliation, it’s essential to address such issues through proper channels.
Engaging in open communication with the colleague, seeking mediation, or reporting the behavior to school administration are constructive steps. Resorting to pranks, while momentarily satisfying, may escalate tensions and perpetuate a cycle of negativity.
In conclusion, the OP’s experience highlights the importance of fostering a respectful and supportive workplace culture. Addressing toxic behavior promptly and professionally can lead to a healthier work environment for all employees.
Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:
These commenters cheered the OP on for their ingenious jelly-to-mustard swap.




![Teacher Gets Revenge On Toxic Colleague With Mustard-Filled Doughnut, You Won’t Believe His Reaction! [Reddit User] − Good for you, he sounds like he sucks.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761788325355-17.webp)
This group shared their own stories of instant karma and schadenfreude.







![Teacher Gets Revenge On Toxic Colleague With Mustard-Filled Doughnut, You Won’t Believe His Reaction! [Reddit User] − What's your favorite donut flavor? Obviously not mustard.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761790899814-1.webp)
These users were curious about the reactions of other teachers.
![Teacher Gets Revenge On Toxic Colleague With Mustard-Filled Doughnut, You Won’t Believe His Reaction! [Reddit User] − Did you have to suck the mustard into your mouth to decanter it into the donut?](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761788347359-28.webp)

These users took a more cynical view, reflecting on the failures of teachers to step in when needed.



![Teacher Gets Revenge On Toxic Colleague With Mustard-Filled Doughnut, You Won’t Believe His Reaction! [Reddit User] − This is why you’re the teacher and I’m the student. Any tips to get the taste of mustard out of my mouth?](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761788359342-33.webp)
This group rallied behind and celebrated the OP’s triumph and imagined how satisfying it would have been if other teachers had taken a stand.







There’s something deeply satisfying about a clever form of revenge when someone tries to degrade or exclude you, especially in a workplace where power dynamics can often be toxic.
Do you think the OP’s sweet (or should I say sour?) revenge was justified, or did they go too far with this prank? How would you handle a toxic coworker’s subtle jabs? Let us know what you think!










