AITA for making my wife walk to her 200 ft to her parking spot?

As the Bay Area’s morning mist settles over a tidy townhouse row, a couple’s daily routine hits a snag over a single garage spot. He cradles his shiny Tesla in the garage, safe from the mild coastal “elements,” while she trudges 200 feet to her weathered Prius parked on the street. Her 6 AM commute feels colder with each step, and what seemed like a practical deal now smells of unfairness. Is this just a parking quirk, or a sign of skewed priorities? This story of cars and compromises pulls us into a relatable marital spat, where love, logic, and a dented Prius collide.

The husband defends his choice: the Tesla needs charging, and her two garage mishaps justify the setup. Yet, her early mornings and emotional tie to her car spark sympathy. Reddit’s buzzing with opinions, so let’s unpack this domestic drama and see what’s really at stake.

‘AITA for making my wife walk to her 200 ft to her parking spot?’

We live in a townhouse with one garage parking spot. I park my EV in the garage so I can charge it overnight and keep it out of the elements. There are guest parking spots right next to the garage, but when those are unavailable,

 I request that my wife parks her car (a beat-up 2006 Prius) on the street, which is 200 feet from the garage down an asphalt driveway. She leaves for work at 6 am, while I don't work until 8 am. AITA for not letting her park in the garage?.

Edits:. 1) I'm solely financially responsible for both cars. 2) My wife has broken the side mirror and scraped the Prius backing out of the garage on two separate occasions.. 3) Bay Area, so lows are still in the low 50s.. 4) Safe neighborhood with well-lit streets and sidewalks..

5) She agreed to the parking arrangement before the car was ordered.. 6) I'm not trying to flex nor trying to be a 'Tesla Bro'. Figured you all wanted more specificity.. 7) The driveway is shared amongst my neighbors and no one is allowed to park there.

8) I've driven the Prius for 11 years before passing it on to my wife, who drove an even crappier 90s car before then. She's sentimentally attached to the Prius and won't trade it in until it kicks the can. 9) I refer to the Prius as 'beat-up' because it has dents,

chipping paint on the roof and hood, and paint transfer from previous run-ins.. 10) I walk her out to her car when the distance is not within view of our bedroom.. 11) Her commute is 10 minutes inner streets vs. my 40-minute highway commute.

This garage standoff is less about parking and more about balancing needs in a marriage. As Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship expert, says, “It’s the small things done often that make the difference” (source: The Gottman Institute). Here, the husband’s focus on his Tesla’s needs over his wife’s early-morning comfort hints at a deeper disconnect.

He’s got practical reasons: he pays for both cars, and her Prius has taken a beating in the garage. But her 6 AM walks and attachment to her trusty car suggest she’s feeling sidelined. A 2023 study in Journal of Marriage and Family found 65% of couples face tension over unequal task division, like parking logistics (source: Wiley Online Library). This spat mirrors that broader struggle.

Gottman’s advice to “turn toward” your partner suggests small gestures, like sharing the garage occasionally, could ease tension. The husband’s offer to walk her to her car is a start, but her early hours deserve more consideration. A practical fix, like a charger for outdoor parking, could bridge the gap.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ultimately, compromise is key. Therapist Esther Perel notes, “Relationships thrive when both partners feel seen” (source: Esther Perel). Alternating parking or upgrading their setup could show mutual respect, turning this spat into a chance for teamwork.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

The Reddit squad brought their A-game, dishing out a mix of snark and support. From jabs at “Tesla bro” vibes to debates over a 200-foot stroll, it’s a lively roast of opinions.

xiena13 − ESH, what in the American is this?? First of all, it seems to me that your car is more important to you than your wife, which makes you TA, but I also can't unterstand how anyone would even bother to complain about walking 200 ft (60 m, that's really nothing). This entire thing being such an issue that you feel the need to post it on the internet is astounding to me.

ADVERTISEMENT

Captain-Bruisin- − YTA for being an annoying tesla bro.

ballslaptastic − If I wasn't 100% sure from the post, your defensiveness in the comments and inability to take criticism makes me think YTA.

MyFickleMind − If you want to brag about owning a Tesla, try a car related subreddit instead of inventing a story to post on amitheasshole.

ADVERTISEMENT

Iwilllieawake − YTA I assume that since your wife goes to work at 6am she is the first one home as well, so you expect her to just ignore the empty garage and park in the street so you can park your precious Tesla 'out of the elements?' It would be one thing if you needed it to charge, but that shouldn't be an every night thing. You just expecting that you automatically get the garage because you drive a Tesla makes YTA

DiscoFLAVA − California. ”the elements”. YTA, get a rain cover for those 5 days a year.

SuzannesSaltySeas − YTA - bragging about your car all the while talking crap about your wife's car. Start saving for the divorce now because you're going to need it. This is not what mature people do in a marriage.

ADVERTISEMENT

handbagproblems − If her concern is being attacked at 6 am, any good husband would get his f**king ass out of the bed and walk her to the car. Is this what she's scared of?

wtfaidhfr − YTA for buying a 50k+ car while your wife gets a hand me down that's worth 10% of that

namesaretoohardforme − YTA. Trade in your Tesla for something that won't ruin your relationship. And next time, don't demand your wife do things you aren't willing to do.

ADVERTISEMENT

These Redditors didn’t hold back, slamming the husband’s priorities or shrugging at the short walk. But do their hot takes nail the full picture, or just fuel the fire?

This tale of Teslas and Priuses shows how small choices can steer a marriage into bumpy terrain. The husband’s logic clashes with his wife’s early-morning reality, leaving us questioning fairness and compromise. A shared parking schedule or a new charger could turn this spat into a win for both. What would you do if you were caught in this garage gridlock? Share your thoughts and experiences below!

Share this post

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *