How One Perfectly Parked Car Taught a Neighbor the Art of Respectful Revenge
Parking wars: we’ve all been there. Whether it’s fighting for the last spot at the grocery store or returning home to find your neighbor’s car just a little too close for comfort, few things test the limits of civility quite like the humble parking lot. But what happens when a gentle nudge—rather than an all-out feud—restores peace and order? Enter one Redditor’s masterclass in “parking neighbor correction,” a story equal parts satisfying, relatable, and just a little bit petty.
The Setup: When Good Parking Goes Bad
Our hero, u/Third_Most, lays it out simply: two assigned spots, side by side, two single drivers, and a mutual unspoken agreement to park close to the passenger side—maximizing space between their driver’s doors. It’s the sort of parking harmony most of us only dream about.
But as is often the case with neighborly arrangements, things started to slip. The neighbor—call him the Fader—gradually inched closer and closer to the dividing line, his tire eventually resting squarely atop the paint. Was it carelessness? A subtle power move? No one knows for sure. But as u/Third_Most recounted, “He crossed the line.” And so began a gentle, yet unmistakable, campaign of correction.
The Art of Petty Retribution
Rather than wage war with angry notes or confrontations, our protagonist chose a more elegant solution: flipping the script. Instead of backing in, u/Third_Most drove straight in, hugging the line so tightly that the gap between their passenger door and the neighbor’s driver door was barely a few inches.
The result? The neighbor could only get into their car from the passenger side—an awkward dance familiar to anyone who’s ever tried to climb over a center console while clutching a coffee and their dignity. As one witty commenter, u/CoderJoe1, quipped: “Revenge or simply training your neighbor?” To which u/WhoskeyTangoFoxtrot replied, “It can be both.” This wasn’t vengeance for vengeance’s sake—it was a gentle nudge, a lesson in mutual respect, delivered in the universal language of inconvenience.
Neighborly Lessons (and Miracles)
The remarkable twist to this story? The neighbor learned. The very next day, the Fader parked with newfound consideration, hugging the opposite edge and leaving plenty of room. To reinforce the lesson, u/Third_Most repeated the new parking pattern for one more night—just to make sure the message stuck. After that, both drivers returned to their original, harmonious parking habits. As u/mycatpartyhouse noted, “Someone actually learned. Cool.” In the world of petty revenge, this is nothing short of a miracle. “That’s a miracle in itself 😂 most people would’ve doubled down out of spite. Respect,” added u/Slight-Book2296, summing up what most of us were thinking.
Not everyone is so lucky. For every happy ending, there’s a tale of stubbornness. As u/Prairie_Mermaid shared, “I had a neighbour who always parked on or over the line into my spot and felt fully within her right to do so. I started backing my car in as close as I could to her vehicle while still being between the lines of my own spot. I wish I could say she learned to be more considerate, but that would be lying.” Sometimes, the only thing pettier than revenge is refusing to learn from it.
The Community Reacts: Humor, Empathy, and Debate
Reddit’s r/PettyRevenge is a playground for stories like this, and the comments did not disappoint. Some saw the episode as a masterclass in “How to Train Your Neighbor” (coming soon to theaters, as u/ColdWetSpirit joked), while others empathized with the anxiety of tight parking: “They were probably scared of making a mistake and damaging the cars... So they went from, I don't care, to holy crap, this is making me nervous,” reflected u/No_Reputation5871, who shared their own saga involving handicapped parking woes and the strange logic of some drivers.
Not all commenters were on board with the strategy. “Idk people like you are the reason people hate their neighbors, just chill out and park like a normal human being, for all you know he was in a rush and just parked the car without thinking about it. Talk about petty lmao,” protested u/Own_Relationship2763. But as wise responder u/RK800-50 succinctly put it: “Sir, this IS petty revenge.” And isn’t that what we’re all here for?
Of course, the internet couldn’t resist a pun or two. “That's a line one should never cross,” quipped u/ImaginaryEconomics41, to which u/Sensei_Fing_Doug replied with a groaner: “A parrelell line?”
The Fine Line Between Petty and Effective
Ultimately, what makes this story so satisfying isn’t just the outcome—it’s the method. No threats, no escalation, just a clever, nonverbal cue and a willingness to return to normal once harmony was restored. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the smallest acts of pettiness can yield the greatest rewards, especially when they come with a side of humor and a dash of empathy.
So, the next time you find your parking neighbor inching a little too close for comfort, remember: sometimes all it takes is a gentle nudge—and maybe a little petty creativity—to set things right.
Did you ever have a parking standoff with a neighbor? Did you go full petty, or did you find peace another way? Share your stories in the comments below—after all, misery (and a good parking spot) loves company!
Original Reddit Post: Parking neighbour correction