This was something I did which was really passive-aggressive. However, I think I was the mean person.

We were working on school projects, and there were different teams which were building their independent projects. We were at the stage where we needed to make charts / posters. There were a limited number of chart paper sheets available, especially of one very nice color. Me and a girl from a different team wanted the same sheet, and there was only one left. She had picked it out from the room where the sheets were stored, so legally and ethically she had ownership of the sheet.

But the sheet was kept at the side, and wasn’t being used at the time. Me and a couple of my teammates picked up the sheet and had almost bought it over to our table, when the girl stopped us, and tried to pull back the sheet.

I knew that I could not have justified taking the sheet from her. And this is how that conversation proceeded:

Girl: I bought the sheet from the cabinet, and we need the sheet, so please give it back to us.

Me: I need it as well, and …

Girl: That may be, but it belongs to me.

Me: Yes, but it’s of no use to you …

(Note that what was about to happen, had never struck me before this)

Girl : What !?! (With a strangely Puzzled look)

Me: Yes. You can’t make a chart with it, look it’s Torn from the corner.

The sheet wasn’t torn, but the moment she looked down, I tore off the corner of the sheet that I was holding. I also vaguely remember delaying the tearing so that she could observe (!)

It was totally unfair, and I had no right to do that. And rightfully it left her fuming. But I still remember it, because I never thought I could have come up with such a clever strategy.