Imo it relies on an existing dynamic between people for pranking to really work well, such that the “victim” is generally aware that a prank is on the table, and they know that it’s not malicious, along with the prankster knowing the general limits of their target.
90% of the time what you describe is just what the pranksters tell themselves while the victim silently suffers because they are too timid or insecure to confront the prankster.
Imo it relies on an existing dynamic between people for pranking to really work well, such that the “victim” is generally aware that a prank is on the table, and they know that it’s not malicious, along with the prankster knowing the general limits of their target.
90% of the time what you describe is just what the pranksters tell themselves while the victim silently suffers because they are too timid or insecure to confront the prankster.