Coworker who carpools with her neighbor to work gets mad because the two of them were late to work due to the neighbor cuddling her cat, despite the fact that they have been late multiple times because of the coworker's children: 'That's just an animal'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
May 10, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

There is this joke among us, cat folks, about how when a cat chooses to sit on you, you are stuck… forever. Until they deem you no longer comfortable enough to sleep on. Doesn't matter if you need to go to the bathroom. Doesn't matter if you get a call and your phone is across the room. Cuddling your cat is the first priority forever and always. It doesn't even matter if you are late for work. First, hug your cat, then tell your boss why you were late. 

And actually, sometimes, that is not a joke at all. Sometimes, you really do get stuck cuddling your cat on the couch for a little longer than you anticipated. And of course, you appreciate and cherish every moment of it, but yes, you are late to some places sometime because of that. Like this peron was. Their cat wanted some love, and they decided that being a little late - not too much, not unreasonably - is okay and worth it. The coworker that they are carpooling with though did not quite agree with that.

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  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for not caring if I made coworker late?"

    "You don't get to treat me a certain way then dictate how I respond."
    via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Turnabout is fair play, we agree. You make me late because of your children, I make you late because of my cat. Happens. Babies have many needs, sure, but cats have needs too. And although we probably wouldn't be the happiest to be in the neighbor's situation either, we wouldn't complain, not after making them late multiple times in the past and causing them the same discomfort too. 

  • 02
    ÉTA I just wanted to happily vent because I am fine ending our carpool relationship. Wasn't my idea in the first place. I have PTO, I have an excellent attendance record, and I'm also good at my job so if I decide to be late because of my cat, I can absorb the blow with no impact.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 03
    So if I decide to be late or take a day off because of my cat that's exactly what I'm going to do. Turn about is fair play. Fair exchange ain't no robbery and a million other things that my father used to say.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 04
    The people in these comments let me know that people are way too comfortable with being disrespected and tucking their tail between their legs and walking away. You don't get to treat me a certain way then dictate how I respond. Those of you that live your life that way more power to you but I'm not the one.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 05
    When I started my new job I found out that a woman who lives in the same complex as I do started working there as well. Her and I struck up a conversation and after a week we decided to carpool.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 06
    It was great and a gas saver and it's been working out pretty much perfect. Except she has two kids that are really into some long goodbyes. Crying and whatnot while her husband makes a minimal effort to get them so we can go.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 07
    When its her turn to drive I have been late a couple of times because in her words the kids were having a meltdown and husband couldn't handle it so she had to calm them down before she left. I'm not talking majorly late I'm talking into our grace period late and I don't like to consistently abe out grace period.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10501294848
    via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • 09
    Well this morning when i bent down like I do every morning to say goodbye to my baby boy he climbed out of his bed and curled up around my arm and put his head on me and went back to sleep. So I stayed there and I let him sleep for another 15 minutes.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 10
    She was calling my phone and I kept telling her I was on my way. I finally got there and she asked me what happened and I told her and she got mad and asked me how I could make her late behind a cat?!
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 11
    I told her we've been late before because of her children and she absolutely said that was not the same thing and I shouldn't be comparing it to that because that's just an animal. I said well that animal is my baby and anytime that he needs me I'm going to be there so if that is an issue I can understand if you don't want to carpool anymore.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 12
    She didn't say anything else on the way to work but I heard through office gossip how I made her late because of the cat. Lol. I'm fine with not carpooling with her anymore.
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 13
    ÉTA he is 4 months old. He's about 3 lb. He's a void, completely black with a little tiny bit of a whisper of white on his belly. He the cutest little thing I wanted to post a picture but it wouldn't let me. His name is Lucky
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10501294080
    via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • We're glad that the decision to stop carpooling has been made, because that was clearly the best solution in this situation. And you know what? If you hear this neighbor complain any more about being late because of your cat, you have your own stories to share too if you want to. 

  • 15
    biggestmilkies NTA. Oh, so her kids crying is a valid reason to be late, but your emotional support furball doesn't count? Nah. If we're playing the empathy Olympics, it goes both ways. You gave her the same grace she expected from you. If she can't handle that, then yeah, solo rides it is. Enjoy the playlist.
    via biggestmilkies
  • 16
    justathrowaway4mee OP That's exactly what I'm talking about. I don't like her music anyway lol
    via justathrowaway4mee
  • 17
    sallystruthers69 Stop carpooling.
    via sallystruthers69
  • 18
    Advanced Guide8946 exactly! "it looks like this arrangement isn't working for either of us. let's go back to commuting separately."
    via AdvancedGuide8946
  • 19
    a
    via Unsplash / Haley Owens - haleyo

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 20
    Banshee-74 NTA and I definitely would have bailed on that carpool the second time she made me late. She's pretty much lacking in self awareness.
    via Banshee-74
  • 21
    Personal-Fact7067 You guys might want to end the car pool.
    via Personal-Fact7067
  • 22
    BeachinLife1 I mean, your little void needed you. You had no choice. I don't make the rules.
    via BeachinLife1

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aww wholesome cat neighbors adorable carpool coworkers cute cute cats Cats
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