For years, we've associated vandalism with sticking it to the proverbial man and challenging those in power. But what if I told you that vandalism can also be funny, wholesome, and sometimes even... cute?
One online community, r/MildlyVandalised, celebrates kitten ears drawn on the stick figures on road signs and funny scribblings on Cybertrucks. They're all for vandalism, but only when it's funny, well-intended, and harmless.
Here we have for you the newest set of posts from the subreddit. These are pics about the times people embellished signs, other people's yards, or some public property for laughs, some wholesome "awws," or to teach bigots a lesson. So, get into the spirit of polite vandalism and check them out!
More info: Reddit
#1 They Understood The Assignment
Image credits: nutria_twiga
#2 This Cat In The Bathroom Of A Vet Clinic
Image credits: GalenOH
#3 Found In A Book In A Motel Bedside Drawer
Image credits: Freemagna
The word "vandalism" has pretty bad connotations. When we think of vandalism, we probably think of destruction and effacement of public property, done by teenage delinquents or hooligans. But did you know that the history of the term comes from the 5th century Western Roman Empire?
That's right – not punks or anarchists, but a German tribe known as the Vandals were the first ones to earn the title. As they would pillage, loot, and devastate Rome as they moved across Europe, the name of Vandals took root in the collective memory of civilizations.
#4 Man At Work!
Image credits: daiquiri-glacis
#5 That's Where The Employees Went To Smoke
Image credits: amallucent
#6 On A Path Right Before An Underpass
Image credits: National-Cell-9862
The Vandals weren't senseless barbarians, though. Today, we associate their name with the destruction of public property because they sacked Rome in 455. They maintained their own kingdom in North Africa, had a strong warrior culture, polytheistic faith, and traditions.
The term "vandalisme" was first used in France during the Revolution. French Catholic priest Henri Grégoire used the term to describe the destruction of art in his day and age. He chose "vandalism" because the acts reminded him of the destructive nature of the German tribe.
#7 Yesn't
Image credits: gestrn
#8 Reality Check!
Image credits: Sketchy_Irishman_
#9 Vandalised The Vandalism
Image credits: woodenkittens
People sometimes vandalize works of art in an act of rebellion. The "Mona Lisa" is a frequent victim of environmental activists in that regard. Just last year, two people sloshed pumpkin soup on the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece in the Louvre to draw attention to food insecurity in Paris, France.
#10 He Makes A Good Point
Image credits: Both-Pie-6246
#11 Tell Her You Love Her
Image credits: Ok_Ambassador8394
#12 Label Printer At Work
Image credits: clarenceappendix
Vandalizing works of art has been an act of rebellion in the past, too. In 1871 France, painter Gustave Courbet and his group tore down the Colonne Vendôme in Paris as an act of political protest. The column symbolized the rule of Napoleon III and his authoritarian empire. Ironically, officials later ordered Courbet to pay for putting the column back up.
#13 Mildly Underpaid
Image credits: LeeTerrell
#14 Construction Guy Turned Into A Cat
Image credits: OtterSou
#15 Some Very British Graffiti
Image credits: Random_Introvert_42
In recent years, vandalism, especially in the form of graffiti, has begun to be associated with art. In 2014, a whopping 69% of Americans said that graffiti could be art, and only 23% were vehemently against it. Still, that doesn't mean that people don't think graffiti is vandalism. Even 43% of respondents from the same survey believed that all graffiti is vandalism.
#16 Thank You For Your Fucking Service
Image credits: Appropriate_Tone_595
#17 Do-It-Yourself Pride Flag!
Helped a coworker finish this masterpiece he had on his truck—with some dry-erase markers. Not sure why he stopped at red, blue, and green; but, doesn’t it look great?!
Image credits: rawwwse
#18 Some Polite, Temporary Graffiti By Canadians On A Cybertruck
Image credits: cooperluna
Banksy is perhaps the most well-known and controversial contemporary artist who gives people a headache when they have to determine whether graffiti is art or vandalism. Technically, Banksy is a vandal, but even the harshest art critics admit his works have significant merit and are not just random graffiti under a bridge.
#19 Eye Wash Emergency!
Image credits: sidequestsquirrel
#20 Times Are Tough, But You Gotta Let Em Know B'ys
Image credits: uDoucheChill
#21 Someone Awesomely Embellished A Sign In My Town
Image credits: SmellsLikeTeenPits
In an ironic twist of fate, the vandal's artwork in the streets gets vandalized, too. Just last year, his newest mural in London was defaced with white paint only two days after it appeared. Many of his other works have been damaged in one way or another as well, as there is even a comprehensive list on Wikipedia of all Banksy's works damaged or destroyed.
#22 Secret Tunnel? How About A Secret Potato?
Image credits: TherianRose
#23 Gattas Be Sinnin Down On The Bayou
Image credits: Low-Hold-8563
#24 Psa At A Middle School
Image credits: LSchlaeGuada
There's another upside to Banksy's "vandalism": the property that he "defaces" increases wildly in value. Some have even gone as far as to accuse him of gentrifying neighborhoods in London. In one case, the owners of a Los Angeles building with a Banksy mural on it claim that the artwork increased its value by $14 million.
#25 They’re Watching You
Image credits: Annual_Ad1461
#26 Ahh Yes, The Ol' Landlord Special
Image credits: whitetrashpandaftw
#27 Someone Planted Hotdogs In My Front Yard
Image credits: Booooomkin
The debate over whether street art is vandalism can get tricky. We've seen great artists emerge from the street art scene in the past (Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, we're looking at you). But we've also seen great works of art damaged and defaced in an act of rebellion and defiance.
"Graffiti, at its core, is both vandalism and art. In my opinion, graffiti is 100% art and 100% vandalism," Henry Zhou, a student artist in Los Angeles, California, told Yale Daily News. Truly, why can't it be both?
#28 🤟
Image credits: Jtahg
#29 Men Working…
Image credits: BadLiverBrokenHeart
#30 Is This Vandaliem?
Image credits: AlphaGigaChadMale
We can hardly call the so-called vandalism in this list art. Wouldn't you agree, Pandas? Still, that doesn't take away from its wholesomeness and entertainment value. Let us know which mild acts of vandalism you liked the best in the comments!
And while you're here, be sure to check out our previous compilations of polite and wholesome vandalism from the r/MildlyVandalised subreddit, here, here, and right here!
#31 A Good Message
Image credits: DiligentOrdinary797
#32 Cybertrucks Being Confused As Dumpster Trucks
Image credits: Street-Nectarine1167
#33 Do Test The Spray Paint
Image credits: arsenic_poisoning
#34 Passed This Cybertruck On My Way To The Royal Rumble Yesterday
Image credits: LethalLariat
#35 Caution Pee Lumps
Image credits: catterybarn
#36 Well Played Guy With Sharpie. Well Played
Image credits: Scared_Technology_41
#37 Heavenly Flan 🍮
Image credits: wangcomputers95
#38 This Was Done On Every Columbus Circle Wet Paint Sign
Image credits: Dont_Smoking
#39 In The Wild
Image credits: iknowstuffandbbq
#40 Someone Tagged Up And Aldi
Image credits: quicksilver3453
#41 But It's Why I Came To This Strip Mall
Image credits: Wake_Skadi
#42 ?
Image credits: forgetsalot
#43 Seen In The French Quarter
Image credits: thadowski
#44 About As Mild As It Gets
Image credits: joeChump
#45 Radar
Image credits: Vitamoon_
#46 Was At Walmart Last Night. I Still Have Yet To Do This At Hobby Lobby
Image credits: AnytimeInvitation
#47 Someone Vandalized Our Pallet Jack
Image credits: Zakkenayo_
#48 (Slow Clap)
Image credits: LindaBelchersGlasses
#49 They Are Being Watched
Image credits: blahnlahblah0213
#50 Mild Vandalism In Walgreen's
Image credits: Melodic_Map_8902
#51 Found An Old Gem, Time To Shine Again
Image credits: flx20250120
#52 About To Do This On Every Outlet I Find Now
Image credits: MELogan
#53 Downtown Kansas City
Image credits: TinyPeen8D
#54 Found While Hiking
Image credits: Nman77
#55 That’s An Order!
Image credits: CleverUsername006
#56 Saw These In Hawaii At The Beginning Of The Summer
Image credits: somethingcutenwitty
#57 Access Denied
Image credits: Mauro091
#58 Somebody Stuck Googly Eyes On My Bus. It Was Me. I'm Somebody
Image credits: Melodic_Map_8902
#59 They’re Always Watching
Image credits: theauggieboy_gamer
#60 It's A Fair Question
Image credits: select_bilge_pump
#61 No Bicycles!
Image credits: GoodWookie
#62 Spotted Inside Dfw Airport Bathroom Stall
Image credits: gremolata
#63 I Love Shakes, But
Image credits: jayfjamerson
#64 That Someone Saw This And Thought, Yes, That Needs An M
Image credits: reddit.com
#65 Googly Eye Wash Station
Image credits: bassminusb
#66 My Cousin's Car
Image credits: YazPistachio19
#67 Buy One Or Be Salt
Image credits: firedourgunsatbrits
#68 Solid Life Advice
Image credits: bitterbunnies
#69 Hmm
Image credits: PikaPikaMoFo69
#70 Pencil Vending Machine At My Local Highschool
Image credits: Street_Quarter_5950
#71 Oh, Minneapolis, You Scamp! ♥
Image credits: joshybocter
#72 Boiler Room + A Piece Of Tape
Image credits: AnxiousMold2329
#73 I Just Found This Sub. I'm So Happy I've Finally Found My Internet Family
Image credits: DMteatime
#74 Someone Rearranged The "World Book" Encyclopedia At My High School
Image credits: chrisbcritter
#75 My Parents Microwave, Since About 12 Years Past
Image credits: TheQueenOfSomething
