Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Prank to far?

151 replies

Rainbowbagel · 28/10/2020 11:36

I have been the victim of a practical joke at work and it has really hit me hard.

A famous person that I really admired came into work the other day and I served them, I loved this person when I was younger more than I do now and although admittedly with all the headgear and mask I didn’t recognise them at first once they’d left and I’d realised who I served I because overwhelmed with excitement and nostalgia.

Two of my colleagues popped out soon after and came back in 10 minutes later presenting me with a box, it had a cake inside and my name and said celebrities signature on the front. They told me they’d bumped into this celeb and explained what happened and then the celeb had got me a cake and signed the box. (You can see where this is going)

I asked them repeatedly if it was a joke to which they swore adamantly it wasn’t, I proceeded to put it on social media and called those close to me in excitement all whilst asking them if it was a wind up!

A whole week later I am doing a job at work and I notice the same to sniggering in the corner, I asked what they were laughing at and they said not to worry followed by whispering, they carried on giggling and I felt a little left out so asked again, I then started to get the impression I was the joke, I asked if I had something on my face, if I’d said something to upset them or something silly. The laughing worsened and I started to panic and after about ten minutes of me practically begging to be let in on this joke they revealed that the celeb thing had all been a prank. I buried my head, informed them that I was extremely embarrassed and ran to the toiled where I burst into tears.

I have had an extremely tough few weeks (haven't we all!) I lost my job earlier in the year due to Covid and luckily managed to get this to help with bills and keep me afloat. I am struggling financially and I’m so lonely and this has just really got to me.

I counted these people as friends and I just feel so betrayed, the original prank was/is funny but to let me call/ tell people, to tag the celebrity to thank them Blush to be laughing behind my back for a whole week!

I am to embarrassed to speak with anyone about it and get a big emotional when I do so just wanted some (friendly) advice really

Being unreasonable - I am being overly sensitive

Not unreasonable- too far, almost bullying

I think I’ve just been having it so tough recently and this really got me through and now the realisation that it was all a joke at my expense hurts a little deeper.

Brb, just taking the signed fake box down from my wall Blush

OP posts:
CeramicGuineaPig · 28/10/2020 12:44

I hate "pranks" where the joke is that you believe something that you would have no reason not to believe. I've come across people like this on a smaller scale, who tell you something either completely innocuous or quite interesting/ exciting, not something that would be completely ridiculous, you say "really?", they start sniggering to each other and at some point (or never) say "No!" Why is it funny that someone believes something they are told?! Have never understood this.

buggeroffvirus · 28/10/2020 12:46

Bastards

BlueThistles · 28/10/2020 12:48

I too loathe pranks.... fuck off with that shit

NorbertMeubles · 28/10/2020 12:50

I wouldn't be speaking to these dickheads ever again. What a pair of pathetic idiots to spend a week giggling behind your back at something which isn't even funny. It's bullying and should be reported. They are sad pathetic people and need to be called out on their sad pathetic behaviour.

Cosmodian · 28/10/2020 12:53

Just adding my support to everyone else's, they sound awful Flowers

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 28/10/2020 12:54

Please report them for bullying. No-one should be made to feel like this at work. Please stand up and show these nasty people what's what 💐

ShebaShimmyShake · 28/10/2020 12:54

Pranks are for mean-spirited and unfunny people.

Ohtherewearethen · 28/10/2020 12:55

Pranks are rarely funny for the person being pranked. They are just a way to laugh at someone rather than having a laugh with them. What they did was cruel and childish but it's worse because they are adults. I really hope they are ashamed of themselves but they probably lack the maturity. I am really hoping the celebrity somehow hears about this and gets in touch with you somehow! That would be such a great ending. I'm sure between us all we could make it happen? You don't have to announce it publically but maybe private message one of us?
You really don't have anything to feel embarrassed about. They have everything to feel embarrassed about.

1WildWitchParty · 28/10/2020 12:58

It wasn't a prank - it was a lie.

The 'joke' should presumably be in their 'cleverness' on getting you to believe something that wasn't true...

but no cleverness is required in getting someone to believe the words of a person they trust on a subject that is likely to be true.

It looks as if your co-workers don't really get how a primary school level 'prank ' works! Puns must be way beyond them.

GabsAlot · 28/10/2020 13:02

how old are they 5

i was the subject of pranks at school we were 14-even then it wasnt nice and i was just told they didnt mean any harm but i still remember it and it wasnt funny

lottiegarbanzo · 28/10/2020 13:05

Bullying... but at least you got cake!

hitchhikingghost · 28/10/2020 13:06

They sound awful. It wasn’t even a prank, it was a lie and not funny.

Sparklesocks · 28/10/2020 13:09

That’s awful. Pranks are only funny when all parties involved find it funny, and the prankee feels they can laugh about it afterwards. And generally it’s best to avoid them at work as you never really know how the person will react.

What they did was cruel and calculated and served to humiliate you rather then include you in a shared joke. I wouldn’t hesitate to get HR involved, you deserve to do your job Peacefully without this type of shit.

DeKraai · 28/10/2020 13:09

I can't believe they watched you FaceTime your DM.

You need to tell HR about this. Don't speak to the bullies because they're going to minimise this and you're going to feel worse. If they found this funny for a whole week and had no intention of telling you (which they didn't), they're not going to suddenly develop empathy - or good manners.

BillMasen · 28/10/2020 13:09

I hate “pranks”. They’re often too close to bullying and rarely funny.

This was out of order of them. Cruel, not funny. I know it can be hard to brush it off but it really does only reflect badly on them.

Whathasthiscometo · 28/10/2020 13:10

How embarrassing for them. Thats cruel and immature.
As I get older, I see that my nan's saying always rings true: you never have friends at work.
I'm sorry this happened and hope you're able to move on. Keep your head held high.

DeKraai · 28/10/2020 13:10

*I believe you that they did, I just can't imagine l being so cruel.

KatherineJaneway · 28/10/2020 13:10

Bullying, definitely. I hate people who do this and think its funny.

FFSFFSFFS · 28/10/2020 13:12

I genuinely can't see how that is even remotely funny.

The "punchline" is that they are lying to someone.

Its not very intelligent. And cruel.

I get why you're upset. But I think I would be genuinely perplexed that they thought it was funny.

They're just bullies. Awful people.

If it was me I would ask them to explain how it was funny? And when they can't I'd say. Huh. Okay then. And then go about my day with the knowledge that they are dicks.

Halliehallie9828 · 28/10/2020 13:12

I think they took it to far but I can’t believe that you thought the celebrity would do it in the first place if I’m honest Confused

OfTheNight · 28/10/2020 13:16

It’s not funny! It’s mean.
I remember when I first started teaching, I had a massive crush on another member of staff. Some idiots, who I thought were friends, left a romantic card and a box of chocolates in my pigeon hole signed with the guys name. I didn’t know his handwriting and didn’t know any better. I spoke to the ‘friends’ who lied and said that he’d been asking them about me and he was shy and this was his way of making a move. So I plucked up all my courage and went to thank him/ask him out. Of course he knew nothing about it and I was utterly mortified. When I told friends they burst out laughing. I was so hurt and embarrassed.
People can be fucking dicks.

InescapableDeath · 28/10/2020 13:18

@Halliehallie9828

I think they took it to far but I can’t believe that you thought the celebrity would do it in the first place if I’m honest Confused
But the celebrity was there? It's not out of the realms of possibility is it? She queried it and people she worked with told her it was true multiple times. It's not like they pretended a big celeb had come in while she was on a break.
serialreturner · 28/10/2020 13:23

Are they 12?

Total dicks, OP.

YANBU.

Whammyyammy · 28/10/2020 13:24

Its bullying and totally unacceptable in this society. Complain to your boss and go further if your boss does not action accordingly.
See if they find it so funny when they are subject to disciplinary action or given their P45

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 28/10/2020 13:25

I'm really surprised at the posts suggesting that you make the situation even more embarrassing for yourself by posting updates on social media. Or perhaps I'm not? So any people love to push others to folly as there's nothing to come back to them.

I think you're wise to tell your colleagues how you feel about this. It was really unkind and not at all funny. If I'd done this, I would have (eventually) realised the extent of the situation and apologised to you. The fact that these two haven't make me think that they have no social awareness at all. You don't want them for friends.

Try to put this behind you, be civil but don't engage with them further, not unless they're sincerely apologetic.

Loneliness is a crap feeling, I'm so sorry. Are there any interests you have that might help you meet some new people?

Swipe left for the next trending thread