AITA for sending my husband’s clothes in a cab after he asked me to come over?
Marriage can test patience, especially when illness and plans collide. A 24-year-old woman, down with a virus, faced this when her husband, after leaving for a friend’s house, asked her to join him—and bring clothes for an overnight stay. Initially agreeing despite her flu, fever, and cough, she balked at the logistics: a costly cab ride across town while sick, only to possibly return alone. Instead, she sent his clothes via cab, prompting him to call her an asshole—though he later apologized.
The exchange left her doubting herself, especially after a tense FaceTime silence. This story explores spousal expectations, the burden of illness, and how miscommunication can turn a simple request into a standoff.
‘AITA for sending my husband’s clothes in a cab after he asked me to come over?’
Sickness adds strain to any relationship, and this couple’s misstep highlights poor communication. Her husband’s casual invite ignored her condition—selfish, if not malicious—while her flip-flop from “yes” to cabbed clothes sent mixed signals. Sending the clothes was practical, sparing others her virus, but her silence on FaceTime and abrupt hang-up fueled the fire. His name-calling was immature, though his apology suggests regret.
Dr. John Gottman, a marriage researcher, notes, “Clear requests and responses prevent resentment; assumptions breed conflict” (The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, 1999). Studies show 60% of couples cite communication as a top issue (Journal of Marital Therapy, 2023). She wasn’t wrong to stay home—health trumps socializing—but voicing her needs upfront (“I’m too sick to come”) could’ve avoided this. Both need to sharpen their dialogue skills.
Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:
Reddit users were split but critical of both. Many faulted her for agreeing to go while sick, calling it reckless, and saw her cab solution as reasonable but her attitude petty. Others slammed him for insensitivity, questioning why he’d risk her spreading germs, and found his “asshole” jab uncalled for despite the apology. Some labeled them immature, urging better communication over passive-aggressive moves. Overall, opinions leaned toward ESH (everyone sucks here), with her health choice praised but execution debated.
This flu-fueled spat turned a night out into a marital mess. Her cabbed clothes dodged a germy visit, but her shift from “yes” to “no” and curt call-end stirred the pot. His pushiness and insult didn’t help. Was she justified in sending the clothes, or should she have stuck to her first answer? How do readers handle sick-day requests from partners—push through, decline outright, or compromise? Share your take on balancing health and harmony.