Tenant dug out his own parking spot during snowstorm, he left briefly and returned to find it taken, so he parked the car in, sparking tension when confronted by neighbor's visitor who occupied parking spot: '[Says now] he knows my true colors'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Jan 29, 2026 6:00 PM EST

If there are no assigned parking spots, what's the problem with parking someone in…? 

I grew up in a city that never snowed, so I'm certainly unfamiliar with what it means to "get shoveling", and the excitement of skipping school as students couldn't make it past their front doors…But last night, I was sitting with a close friend of mine from Boston, and she was telling me all about her snow days growing up in a city whose winters were covered in white (and fun)…Listening to her experiences made me really curious about the day-to-day activities and limitations that come with dealing with meters of accumulated snow… and yes, shoveling snow off their family cars was one of them!

However, based on stories I've heard recently, it seems that any type of extreme weather can spark tension between neighbors, if not handled cooperatively. We're not saying you have to shovel snow with four hands on the handle, or water the sidewalk's flowers in conjunction after a dry summer…But by simply being considerate of those around you…

Doesn't sound so difficult, does it? Well, it seems some neighbors beg to differ! 

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  • A building that once had a reliable landlord who enjoyed nothing more than snow removal was sold to a new owner, who unfortunately did not possess the same interests…After a heavy snowstorm, one of the building's tenants bought a shovel and began clearing his car and a path through the parking lot for himself. Due to needing to run a few good old-fashioned errands, he left the spot open briefly. First mistake. 

    When he returned from his brief journey, he found that any car was parked in the space he had cleared, leaving no other spots available. He was under pressure for time and needed to join a meeting online. So what did he do? What anyone in a rush would do…Park the other car in and go on inside! After all, it was his initial spot. Minutes later, he was met with the sound of obnoxious banging on his front door. He opened it to find a furious woman standing outside…She began shouting, demanding he move his car…He soon realized she was a visitor to his neighbor, who, too, joined in on the back-and-forth bickering…

    If it were up to us, there'd only be one solution to this conflict: A snow fight! 

  • A shovel next to a car covered in snow
    via horia-ionescus-images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • AITA for blocking my neighbors car?

    in all the time ive lived here (6yrs) snow removal has been a non-issue but the building was sold last spring and this new guy apparently loves accumulation.
    via JustToppers
  • because of that i didnt own a shovel, never needed one. but we got like 15" of snow and the landlord still hasnt plowed or cleared any snow.
    via JustToppers
  • i am not looking forward to it freezing over so i walk to the store, buy a shovel, and dig my car out.
    via JustToppers
  • i also dig a fatty path across the parking lot so i can pull out. i take care of a couple errands, gone maybe an hour, and this lady parks in my spot..
    via JustToppers
  • the only spot available yes but it's there because of my labor. we don't have assigned parking but we do always park in the same spots so it's not like she doesn't know who carved a path.
    via JustToppers
  • im not digging myself another parking spot. im not very altruistic. so i park behind her.
    via JustToppers
  • i have a meeting in 15 minutes and i can't be f'd to find out whos car this is.
    via JustToppers
  • there are only 3 units (and 2 commercial stores downstairs but they are closed today) still i decide not to go door to door.
    via JustToppers
  • halfway through the meeting someone starts banging on my door. i ignore it. they don't stop and they keep coming back every 5 or 10 minutes.
    via JustToppers
  • when i wrap up my meeting i finally answer the door and this red faced lady is absolutely livid.
    via JustToppers
  • we get into and she tells me to move my f\*ing car and asking in what world was how i parked ok and going on about how long she's been waiting.
    via JustToppers
  • i tell her i dug that spot out myself and had nowhere to park so i had no choice.
    via JustToppers
  • Cold man sitting in the car and trying to warm up his hands
    via aliaksandrbarysenka

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • i put my boots and coat back on and go out to move my car and my neighbor is there (i guess whoever she was visiting, i dont associate with the neighbors ever if i can help it) with his arms crossed and he lays into me too saying i should have asked them when they needed to leave so we could decide who should park in back of who and move our cars.
    via JustToppers
  • im just like wtf, cus maybe he could have dug his guest a space if he knew she was coming.
    via JustToppers
  • he brings up that there is no assigned parking and that he doesn't have a shovel anyways whatever.
    via JustToppers
  • it went on and on and i really don't think i was the asshole here but my neighbor said he used to like me because i was quiet and respectful but now "he knows my true colors" so am i the asshole here?
    via JustToppers
  • CruisingForDown Votes Are you the asshole? Yes. Is it justified? Absolutely.
    via CruisingForDown
  • JustToppers Original Poster's Reply this is fair. i can accept this.
    via JustToppers
  • anonanon-do-do-do NTA. You could be in real trouble stealing the spot your neighbor dug out in Boston. Even if it was on the street.
    via anonanon-do-do-do
  • JustToppers Original Poster's Reply yeah im in massachusetts actually and it might have been relevant because we are all (m) assholes but i guess that answers my question too.. i am the asshole but i am also surrounded by assholes. it comes down to etiquette of territory i guess
    via JustToppers
  • Quirbeen NTA. The visitor should not have been parking in a tenants spot even if they are unassigned.
    via Quirbeen
  • Man shoveling snow in his front yard during the winter
    via oksanashufrych

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • JustToppers Original Poster's Reply yeah its not a big lot and its not a public lot. It's like a 8-10 car lot, 12 if we squeeze it tight but there are a bunch of work trucks always parked so tenants get half that
    via JustToppers
  • Ok-Calligrapher1345 NTA if I was your neighbor I would have made sure my guest had somewhere to park and also scolded them for taking your spot that you dug out. Inconsiderate AF
    via Ok-Calligrapher1345
  • JustToppers Original Poster's Reply thats what im thinking like if someone was coming over id be like "wait theres no parking" or at least "you have to help me dig when you get here" but this dude was like "you're good, my neighbor is a sucker"
    via JustToppers
  • Maiden_Far There are no assigned spots, so where you parked is fine too.
    via Maiden_Far
  • JustToppers Original Poster's Reply thats a good point i wish i said that
    via JustToppers
  • NoWonder375 You shovel it, you own it. Put a chair, road cone, trash can, whatever in the spot to claim it. Thems the rules
    via NoWonder375
  • JustToppers Original Poster's Reply i really should have i just never had this problem and i thought it was self-evident. i wouldn't have done that to someone else and didn't expect it lol
    via JustToppers

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neighbors parking spot snow entitled shovel
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