The Art of Petty Parking: How One Man’s Perfectly Legal Revenge Drove His Neighbor Up the Wall
Picture this: a quiet street in Edinburgh, two neighbors, a shared driveway, and a line drawn—literally—down the middle. It’s the kind of setup that should make for peaceful coexistence. But as anyone with a shared space knows, it only takes one person to throw off the balance. Enter Duncan, the line-blind neighbor, and our cunning protagonist, u/PhotographTop6149, whose story of polite asks, petty revenge, and driveway drama has taken Reddit by storm.
Let’s dive into the world of passive-aggressive parking wars, where the humble Vauxhall Corsa becomes a weapon of perfectly legal vengeance—and one man’s morning coffee tastes just a little sweeter as he watches karma in action.
When “Aye, Sure” Means “Not a Chance”
Our hero, a 34-year-old sound designer, moved into his semi-detached Edinburgh home expecting the usual neighborly pleasantries. What he didn’t expect was Duncan, a man in his mid-50s with either a remarkable disregard for painted lines or an insatiable need to conquer extra driveway territory. For two years, Duncan’s BMW crept 30-40 centimeters over the line, forcing our protagonist into a daily game of vehicular Tetris just to avoid scraping his wing mirror.
The attempts at peace were textbook British politeness. Three gentle reminders in person, a written note, and even a live demonstration of the offense—all met with Duncan’s breezy “och, it’s barely anything” and a casual walk indoors. If pettiness is an art, Duncan was painting with broad, oblivious strokes.
Enter: The Vauxhall Corsa of Justice
But sometimes, the best revenge is served parked—precisely, legally, and with the kind of meticulousness that would make a surveyor weep with joy. Our hero’s secret weapon? A little-used 2003 Vauxhall Corsa, insured, taxed, and ready for action.
He began parking it with surgical precision: right on the dividing line, not a millimeter over, but close enough that Duncan’s BMW suddenly found itself boxed in. The result? Duncan’s daily commute transformed into a 15-point turn ballet, complete with red-faced frustration and the silent, seething knowledge that he couldn’t say a word.
Was it petty? Absolutely. Was it glorious? Without a doubt.
The Sweet Symphony of Petty Revenge
There’s something universally satisfying about seeing justice played out within the letter of the law, especially when polite requests have gone ignored. Our protagonist didn’t key Duncan’s car or call the council—he simply highlighted the problem with impeccable legality. It’s the kind of revenge that makes you want to slow-clap from your kitchen window.
For three weeks (and counting), Duncan’s routine has been upended. The Corsa, once a forgotten backup vehicle, now sits proudly as a monument to boundaries—both literal and figurative. Meanwhile, our hero sips his tea, occasionally working from home just to catch the morning performance. Duncan’s glares have intensified, but his words have dried up, because what can you say when someone’s only crime is respecting the line?
Neighbors, Lines, and the Unspoken Rules
This story isn’t just about parking. It’s about the social contracts that keep our shared spaces civil and the maddening frustration when they’re ignored. We’ve all met a Duncan—someone who dismisses small courtesies as “barely anything,” forgetting that respect for boundaries (even painted ones) is what keeps neighborly relations from descending into chaos.
And while our narrator’s wife called the maneuver childish, sometimes a little pettiness is exactly what’s needed to make a point. After all, how many times can you ask nicely before you park your problem-solving skills right on the line?
What Would You Do?
So, the next time you find yourself on the receiving end of a neighbor’s casual disregard, remember the tale of the Corsa. Would you have handled it the same way? Or do you have your own stories of petty revenge to share?
Drop your best neighborly (or not-so-neighborly) shenanigans in the comments—because sometimes, the best solutions are the ones that park themselves right in the problem’s way.
Have your own story of driveway drama or boundary battles? Share it below, and let’s see who really knows how to draw the line!
Original Reddit Post: Neighbour kept parking over the line