AITA for leaving without my girlfriend?

He and Audrey had a standing issue: just as they were about to leave—whether by car or rideshare—she’d remember something she’d forgotten, triggering another last-minute scramble. Over time, his patience wore thin as cancellation fees for Lyft piled up. Five dollars each time isn’t ruinous, but the pattern of wasted money and time added insult to injury.

Last night his brother and sister-in-law hosted dinner, and he thought he’d finally outsmarted her: he triple-checked she had everything before calling the ride. But the moment the car rounded the corner, Audrey remembered a scarf she was supposed to bring. When he refused to cancel again and walked away, she was left stranded—and furious.

‘AITA for leaving without my girlfriend?’

Respecting each other’s time is a cornerstone of healthy relationships. As Dr. John Gottman notes, “One of the simplest ways to build trust and affection is to show up when you say you will” . Repeated delays—especially avoidable ones—can erode that trust, leaving partners feeling undervalued and resentful.

In the context of shared rides, last-minute cancellations have real-world consequences. Lyft drivers rely on a steady flow of trips, and a cancellation after the driver is en route often translates into lost income, even when a fee applies. Transportation researcher Dr. Carol Schweiger explains that “frequent no-shows and late cancellations disrupt the gig economy’s fragile equilibrium and breed frustration on both sides” .

Setting clear pre-ride routines can mitigate these breakdowns. Productivity expert Laura Vanderkam recommends a “two-minute buffer” before departure—using a timer to prompt final checks—so that unforeseen tasks surface before ordering transportation . This small habit shift preserves schedules without sacrificing essentials.

When entrenched patterns emerge, couples therapy often focuses on creating “implementation intentions”—if-then plans such as “If the Lyft is arriving in five minutes, I will not request any new items.” Studies show that couples who co-develop these plans report fewer conflicts and higher satisfaction .

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Redditors overwhelmingly sided with the OP, emphasizing that leaving on time protects everyone’s plans—ride-share drivers included—and that Audrey could easily book her own ride if she needed more time. Most felt she bore full responsibility for the missed dinner.

At the same time, commenters offered practical tweaks: making Audrey the designated ride-caller (so she feels the financial sting of cancellations) or adopting a pre-ride checklist ritual. These small shifts can restore balance and prevent future frustrations.

Boundaries around time and money safeguard relationships more than silent resentment ever could. When small habits repeatedly derail shared plans, calling them out—and finding solutions together—becomes essential. Have you faced recurring delays or cancellations with your partner? How did you address them to keep date night (and your patience) on track? Share your experiences and tips below!