Some of the best daily trending topic conversations begin with a simple question: what clever shortcut would you use if nobody could judge you? A recent online discussion invited people to share their “evil life hacks”, producing a hilarious list of tactics that may be effective, but are not always honest, fair or sensible.
These suggestions are best treated as entertainment rather than advice. Several could break workplace rules, damage trust or create legal and ethical problems.
15 “Evil” Life Hacks From the Daily Trending Topic
1. Build credibility before taking a risk
One contributor suggested being truthful almost all the time, then relying on that reputation if you ever decide to deceive someone. Another offered the reverse approach: make minor lies so obviously poor that people assume you are incapable of lying when something important happens. Both ideas highlight how much people rely on perceived credibility.
2. Borrow someone else’s discount details
Using another person’s loyalty or fuel-discount information may save money, but it can violate account terms and create problems for the account holder. It is a questionable shortcut, not a legitimate savings strategy.
3. Volunteer for the easy part of a shared task
In group projects, volunteering to handle routine chores can later provide leverage when an unpleasant job appears. It may be clever, but fair teamwork usually means sharing responsibilities from the beginning.
4. Hold back some skills at a new job
Another popular suggestion was to avoid showing every ability immediately after starting a role. The theory is that gradual improvement looks impressive. However, deliberately underperforming can damage trust, so learning the workplace before taking on extra duties is the safer approach.
5. Try elevator shortcuts carefully
Some elevators respond to holding the door-close button while selecting a floor, creating a faster journey. Because this function may be intended for emergency or authorised use, passengers should not interfere with safety systems.
6. Use kindness as a conflict tactic
Remaining calm, listening carefully and responding politely can frustrate someone who wants an argument. More importantly, de-escalation often prevents a disagreement from becoming a bigger problem.
7. Refill reusable water bottles
Keeping several labelled bottles at home and filling them from a workplace water cooler was presented as a way to avoid buying bottled water. A reusable bottle is a sensible option, provided workplace facilities permit it and bottles are cleaned regularly.
8. Repeatedly exploit free trials
Creating new email addresses to restart subscription trials may appear harmless, but it typically breaches service terms. Legitimate free plans, discounts and cancellations are better ways to control subscription costs.
9. Photograph a rental property before moving in
This is one of the more practical suggestions. Dated photographs and a written inventory can document pre-existing damage and help resolve deposit disputes. Tenants should keep original files and follow local rental rules.
10. Crinkle a raffle ticket
Some people believe a folded or crinkled paper ticket is easier to select. In a properly run raffle, every eligible ticket should have the same chance, so this is probably superstition rather than a genuine advantage.
11–15. Fake calls, broken attachments and confident claims
The remaining ideas included scheduling a fake phone call to escape an event, sending an unreadable attachment to delay a deadline, labelling workplace milk with an unpleasant warning, changing a device’s clock to bypass game waiting periods and ending an argument with an overly confident “you know I’m right”. These may be amusing, but they can inconvenience others or breach rules.
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The takeaway from this daily trending topic
The appeal of these “evil” life hacks comes from their mix of creativity, cheekiness and questionable judgement. A few—such as documenting rental damage, using reusable bottles and staying calm during conflict—can be adapted responsibly. Others are likely to cause trouble. The best lesson is simple: a shortcut is only genuinely clever when it saves time without sacrificing honesty, safety or someone else’s rights.