AITA for Not Giving My Coworker a Ride After She Kept Assuming I Would?
TL;DR: I helped a colleague one rainy day, she turned that into a full‑time taxi gig, I politely said no, and now she’s blowing my whistle like a bad ex. Am I the villain? Spoiler: probably not.
The Setup
I’m a 28‑year‑old office worker who lives a brisk 20‑minute walk from the office. My day is predictable: show up, finish my tasks, go home, repeat. Then a new coworker, Sara (31), joins the team. We chat over coffee, keep things strictly professional, and the office vibe is smooth.
One stormy afternoon, I was about to head out when Sara asked if I could drop her off at a bus stop a few minutes away. It was on my route, so I said “sure.” No big deal—just a friendly gesture.
The next day she shows up at my desk at 4:55 PM with her bag and asks, “Ready to go?” I’m like, “Sorry, I’m staying late.” She gives me a look, says “okay,” and leaves. From that point on, she treats me like her personal chauffeur. She waits by the door, texts me “Leaving now?” even though I never agreed to a regular run. When I’m not in the mood, she gets cold the next morning. She even texts, “Can you take me to the mall after work?” (the mall is 25 minutes away and opposite my home). I say “Sorry, that’s too far.” She replies, “Wow. Okay.” And then she’s sulky and acts like I’ve betrayed her. Rumors spread, and a coworker asks what happened—apparently I “promised” something I never did.
I’m not a bad person. I just didn’t want to be a free ride for a person who never offered gas money and kept treating me like a taxi.
The Question
Am I the asshole for refusing to keep giving Sara rides?
Comments (Reddit Style, but with a Cheezburger Twist)
1️⃣ “Your sister is correct. Your friend is objectively wrong.”
The “sister” here is a life‑coach emoji, and the “friend” is a motivational speaker who thinks you should always be the “doormat.” The moral of this comment? You’re not obligated to be a personal chauffeur. If someone keeps treating you like a taxi, you’re entitled to say no, and HR can be your sidekick if the drama escalates.
2️⃣ “Being nice attracts pushy people/leeches.”
This comment turns into a mini‑case study: a coworker named “Pushy‑Co‑Worker” who never asked for a ride, assumed you were a free chauffeur because you lived in “neighboring towns.” She tried to corner you with “Hey, I can’t drive, can you?” and you had to explain that you’re a proud parent on daycare‑pickup duty. The moral? If you don’t ask before you give, the next day you’re stuck in a conversation that feels like a bad sitcom. The takeaway: don’t let people use your kindness as a free pass.
3️⃣ “Your sister is correct. Your friend is objectively wrong. Giving a coworker you’re friendly with a ride to the bus stop in the rain is not, in the sister's words, “too nice.””
Essentially a repeat of the first comment, but with extra emphasis: a single ride in the rain is a good deed, not a lifetime obligation. If you’re tired of being the unofficial Uber driver, just say so. No one can force you to keep paying the gas bill.
4️⃣ “It was truly self‑centered of her to expect you to take after one ride to the bus stop!”
This comment is the comedic villain’s monologue. It accuses Sara of being “self‑centered” and “self‑interested.” It’s a call‑out that says: “If anyone says anything about it, defend yourself with, ‘I gave her a ride in the rain. There was no discussion about me being a taxi for her.’” A classic “defend your honor” meme.
5️⃣ “It’s people like OP's coworker that make people rethink the concept that it’s OK to be nice. The saying 'no good deed goes unpunished' developed for a reason.”
This one is the philosophical side‑kick: no good deed goes unpunished. It’s the “but I was kind, so why am I being treated like a charity case?” joke. The humor is in the tragic irony that kindness can backfire, especially when the person has a “taxi” expectation.
Bottom Line
You’re not the asshole. You offered a single ride in a moment of kindness, and no one has the right to make you a permanent, unpaid chauffeur. If someone starts treating you like a personal driver, it’s perfectly reasonable to set boundaries. And if things get dramatic, HR is there to back you up.
Now go back to your office, finish your tasks, and maybe take a break with a latte that won’t require a side‑car.
TL;DR: One rainy ride → full‑time taxi gig → polite refusal → office drama. You’re not the villain; you’re just not a free Uber driver.