Morality is a subject so tricky and nuanced that the only time in human history there might be consensus is when humans are no longer around. So it probably shouldn’t be surprising that there are a number of ways to get ahead in life (or at least make your days easier) that might not seem particularly “nice.”
Someone asked “What's the most evil life hack you know?” and people shared their least ethical tips for getting things done. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to comment your own ideas and experiences below.
#1
“Kill them with kindness” biggest troll ever. Whenever someone is super mad at you. Don’t fight back. Be understanding. Listen to them and don’t respond with anything mean. It will drive them nuts and save you such a big headache.
Image credits: HippoPebo
#2
Tell the truth 99% of the time. Then when you have that credibility, you can lie and people will believe you.
Image credits: AngelicXAdmirationn_
#3
Work correspondence hack:
Anything that benefits you, put it in an email, letter, etc. so it can be memorialized when possible.
Anything that is detrimental to you, make a call or discuss the issue face to face verbally. Don’t leave a paper trail. .
Image credits: Ethylbabe2004
#4
Learn to embrace the silence. It's such a powerful tool in professional conversations. Most ppl need to fill the silence and most likely say something they shouldn't.
Image credits: JSmellerM
#5
The cops in our town like to hide at the back end of the neighborhood park to catch people who let their dogs run off leash. They could park in the front lot and let people know they’re there to deter off-leashers, but they prefer to sit where they can catch you in the act. To me this says they care more about writing tickets than they care about actually enforcing the leash law.
In order to get to the far end of the park the cops have to drive through a gate that is always left open, with the padlock just hanging there, unlocked.
When I know the cops are hiding at the far end of the park I close and lock the gate on them.
Image credits: shavemejesus
#6
Never give away your full hand when you start a new job. Hide some of your skills and talents until you need them to get ahead. It's always easier to "improve" when you're starting at 50% capacity.
Image credits: PenislavVaginavich
#7
My wife used to be quite indecisive so I played rock paper scissors with her and I always chose rock. After she clocked on she would choose paper or scissors depending on what she actually wanted. Helping her feel more comfortable recognising and voicing what she wants was a genuine pleasure as she struggled with this due to her parents. However this lead to her suggesting to play when she could avoid things knowing i was only going rock. Stuff like cleaning the car, going to the shop, making dinner, little things we share responsibilities for but in that moment she wanted to chill.
Well this went on for about 2 years while living with her mum, who had suddenly booked an impromptu late night flight from an airport 3 hours away she asked if we could give her a lift. My wife turned to me and said lets play for it. In a moment without thinking I went scissors, i shocked myself, her jaw dropped, her mum rushed her out the door while i ordered a pizza and played xbox for 4 hours before going to bed.
I had unintentionally created a get out of anything free card.
Image credits: Superdash1
#8
Limit peoples expectations of you. Occasionally make minor mistakes, and never work your hardest. assuming you otherwise do a good job, people will have a healthy expectation of your abilities, saving your mental health and slowing down burnout.
#9
Go to Walgreens or somewhere that sells Costco or Sam’s gift cards. Buy one for any amount and then go shop without being a member. Because you have the gift card they can’t make you buy a membership and will let you use it. .
#10
Let your a**hat coworkers underestimate your skills when starting a new job. You'll be able to learn a lot more about the politics.
Image credits: PuzzleheadedBobcat90
#11
Sprinkle instant mashed potatoes on someone’s grass before it rains and it’ll make a huge mess i certainly call that evil.
Image credits: Lilnuggie17
#12
Nothing opens a person up wider than giving them a thoughtful compliment and a relatable story.
Image credits: seraphiinna
#13
I was in a three-person team in Home Ec in high school. I always volunteered to do the dishes. Then when it was something gross like a really greasy pot or pan, I said to the other two that I do the dishes all the time and that they could do it for once.
Image credits: MangoPeyote
#14
Create multiple email addresses to continuously take advantage of free trial periods for subscription services, effectively getting them for free indefinitely.
#15
Tried that one that says "putting tea bags on your eyes depuffs them!" when I was about 13. However they did not specify black tea, so my dumba*s uses an apple cinnamon tea. Cinnamon is a minor irritant so I had red tea-bag shaped rectangles around my eyes for a few hours.
#16
There was a guy who was a wood worker my dad knew. Horrible accident at work, lost a bunch of fingers. Big settlement and too disabled to work...
One day he's at our house, and he's drunk. And he f*****g tells us all he did it on purpose.
My dad just told him to leave.
Image credits: Billbapaparazzi
#17
Obtain a burner phone and list yourself as a reference on job applications. Have gaps in your work history? Cover them up with fabricated freelance computer work or home renovations.
#18
If you don't wanna do something, don't do it.
Image credits: oussbai
#19
You can purchase most items using nothing more than a simple handgun.
Image credits: Cheekyy-Charmm
#20
Microsoft Paint can be used to delete and replace text on any scanned document, the eyedropper tool can match the font color and even the paper background color to make the change look seamless.
#21
On weekends, especially in the summer, go to your larger parks in your area and scope out the company picnics. Make yourself at home, grab a plate or two. Nobody will challenge you, they think you are probably family. When I was a starving college student living in San Diego, did this almost every weekend. Will do it occasionally when I come across the opportunity.
#22
Be as selfish and exploitative as possible and you will go far. I wish I wasn't so empathetic so I could try it.
#23
When you enter a raffle drawing, fold or crinkle your ticket/slip of paper a little bit. It makes it slightly more likely to be drawn. It's worked for me a few times and I feel a little guilty every time.
#24
Ducks are free. You can go to a park and just take them. No one will stop you. I have 5 ducks now.
Image credits: iLikeFreedomandTatto
#25
Mix cockroach bait into some mashed potatoes and leave it in the corner. The roaches will come running for the smell. Here’s the kicker: they don’t die right away. Instead, they take the potato mix back to their nest, which means you’re secretly wiping out a whole roach family while you just chill. It's like a roach trap with a side of mashed potatoes...
#26
“You know, that might be the answer – to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That’s a trick that never seems to fail.”
― Joseph Heller, Catch-22.
#27
In many elevators you can hold down the „close door“ button while choosing floor to get a non-stop ride. Meant to be used by rescue service/firemen.
Image credits: 2eanimation
#28
If you use google chrome, it saves your browsing history, even if you’re on another device. This is how I found out my ex was dating a new girl before he officially broke up with me. He googled “questions to ask in a new relationship” and also kept searching her name to creep on her ?.
#29
I use my ex's and bosses phone numbers at Kroger's fuel pumps to steal their discounts.
Image credits: thinkdeep
#30
Microwave fish at work. Chaos ensues.
Image credits: Old-Adhesiveness6309
#31
Mention "credit card chargeback" to get a refund when a company won't budge; they'll usually cave to avoid the hassle.
#32
Not only can people be manipulated into anything, once you figure out how to tie their pride into it, they become righteous about your manipulation. This is how you get loyalist.
Let's say that there was a perverted guy manipulating a girl. He knows psychology and he's older so he can manipulate her. But he will never call her a "girl" he would call her a "woman." This ties the girl into pride and now her being off with an older man makes her feel independant and in control of her life. This seals the manipulation and she she falls to Stockholm Syndrome.
This is not exclusive to relationships. This is how loyalists are born in politics. People who never admit that their party is ever wrong. These politicans manipulate people then use ehnicity or subcultures to tie peple's pride to their cause, sealing them in an illusion.
I understand how this works. Not only did I study some psychology but as an artist, I can create works that effect people in a certain way. It works, but it's immoral so i use my knowledge of this to inform people of others using methods to control people. If anyone is tickling your ego, be alert.
#33
I have 5 different 1 L water bottles, one for each day of the week. I fill them up before I leave work from the filtered water coolers and then put them in the fridge when I get home. Living alone, I haven't had to buy bottled water or a water filter in 11 years.
#34
Behave like an idiot. People will trust you more and let their guards down. It makes it much easier to f**k them over as they will never think that it was you. Also no one will expect anything from you so you will get cut a lot of slack.
Image credits: somerandomassdude404
#35
Slightly alter your name on resumes to identify companies with biases based on which names get more callbacks.
#36
Changing someone’s alarm clock settings to wake them up early.
Image credits: alana_lovesyou
#37
Confidently stating "And you know I'm right" after presenting your argument can be surprisingly effective. People are often swayed by conviction, even if the logic isn't entirely sound.
#38
Lying is normal and perfectly legal, unless you are under oath.
Image credits: MajesticCube28
#39
I come from a large and extended family. Knew some that circled like vultures when someone was about to die. Trying to sneak into to anything from the inheritance. Someone is dying AND it’s family, and you’re angling toward money???
#40
If you're moving out of an apartment and want to ensure you get your full security deposit back, but you know there's some damage you can't fix, take pictures of all existing damages right before you move in. Then, when you move out, if the landlord tries to charge you for anything, you can show them the "before" pictures and claim it was already there.
