AITA For building a Fence and blocking my neighbours from the road, forcing them to take a ma*sive detour?
In a quiet corner of expanding civilization, a man cherished his vast, secluded property—a sanctuary five minutes away from the nearest neighbor when he first arrived. Over five years, the relentless march of progress crept closer, planting houses at his borders and weaving strangers into the fabric of his once solitary domain.
Though initially tolerant of the changes, welcoming the hum of new life beside him, the intrusion grew palpable. What began as neighbors borrowing his gravel road and children playing in his fields quietly morphed into a relentless invasion, shattering the peace he had fought to preserve and igniting a silent battle over the boundaries of his sanctuary.
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As renowned ethicist Dr. Immanuel Kant explained, “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” While this situation is primarily one of property rights rather than pure ethics, the principle highlights the need for consistent, predictable rules regarding shared versus private space. The OP's initial behavior established an informal 'implied easement' or permission for limited use, even if unintentional. When this use expanded from occasional access to regular parking and large gatherings, it crossed a critical threshold, violating the OP's reasonable expectation of privacy and control over their large property. The transition from passive tolerance to active enforcement (towing and fencing) was a necessary response to boundary violation, particularly when faced with aggression. However, the OP's final, harsh ultimatum to all neighbors—including the initially cooperative ones—suggests an emotional reaction that risks alienating those who were not part of the problem. This overcorrection sacrifices community goodwill for the sake of absolute control. The OP was entirely justified in stopping the unauthorized use, especially following aggressive responses. A constructive recommendation would involve immediate, direct communication: The OP should clearly state that the road/field is now permanently private. They could then consider a formal, written agreement or the installation of a locked gate, allowing access only to the previously polite neighbors if the OP desires, thereby differentiating between those who abused the privilege and those who did not. This approach enforces the boundary while managing the impact on cooperative relationships.
THIS STORY SHOOK THE INTERNET – AND REDDITORS DIDN’T HOLD BACK.:
What started as a simple post quickly turned into a wildfire of opinions, with users chiming in from all sides.
The original poster (OP) initially tolerated the neighbors' use of their private road and field as a shortcut and parking area out of a desire to maintain peace. However, after repeated violations escalated to aggressive confrontations and constant inconvenience, the OP took decisive action by building a fence, leading to a significant conflict with neighbors who valued the convenience the OP's property provided.
The central question is whether the OP was justified in prioritizing their property rights and peace by building a restrictive fence, even though this action now negatively impacts even the neighbors who were previously respectful. Should the OP maintain the fence due to past disrespect, or should they remove it to restore convenience for the community, including the polite neighbors?