# fuckers who don't have a clue about common courtesy in snowy regions **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 12, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403 "2011-01-12T23:40:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/21 "2011-01-13T02:01:37Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Classy comeback, I’m suddenly seeing why common courtesy doesn’t abound in your world. > > No, I’m not blind to the society at all, and am, by all counts, a wonderful neighbour. But maybe that’s because I don’t try and claim ownership of something that’s not mine. > > If you want to rely on the kindness of strangers, that’s on you, don’t bitch when it doesn’t work out your way. (Maybe try a flowery dress, and winsome smile over bitching and acting all indignant and entitled, or, maybe move to Savannah and get yourself a drawl!) > > People with assigned parking spots pay for the privilege. You want the privilege without the cost, good luck with that. you didn’t answer the question. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/22 "2011-01-13T02:11:14Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Can we expand winter rants to include people who don’t shovel their sidewalks, too? There are a couple of houses in my neighbourhood who haven’t shovelled once this whole winter. I actually tried to report them to bylaw services, but the City of Calgary website is so useless that I couldn’t figure out how to do it. Just call 311 they will take bylaw complaints. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/23 "2011-01-13T02:12:16Z")
Sorry, my bad. No, I wouldn’t do that, in all likelihood, (it’s just not who I am). But then, I don’t believe, for one minute, that everyone should behave like me. I just don’t harbour the illusion that my behaviour should shape anyone else’s. What I would not do, is ever consider it ‘his/her’ spot, since I am aware that it’s **not** assigned parking. That’s because when I rented a place, without assigned parking, I understood the implications of that. And I accepted them. It would appear that you have been caught off guard by them, how is that? ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/24 "2011-01-13T02:23:25Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > But then, I don’t believe, for one minute, that everyone should behave like me. I just don’t harbour the illusion that my behaviour should shape anyone else’s. so you wouldn’t bat an eye over someone who did so? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/25 "2011-01-13T02:51:56Z")
No, because I have already accepted that this is a possibility, because I am an adult who understood what ‘not assigned’ parking means. Yeah, I might say, “Drat, thought I could get back in, in time!” but I wouldn’t be all butthurt over someone exercising their right to park anywhere they want, anytime. The same right I have. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/26 "2011-01-13T03:31:20Z")
but mysteriously you wouldn’t exercise that right in my question… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/27 "2011-01-13T03:39:21Z")
> [@Ludy](#): > > Just call 311 they will take bylaw complaints. I don’t want to phone; I want to use the internet like a normal person. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/28 "2011-01-13T03:40:15Z")
Your missing the point. I don’t feel that my behaviour obligates anyone to act in a similar fashion, unlike yourself. I behave as I do, because of who I am. Others are free to act as they see fit. My expectations of their behaviour is related to my awareness of the reality that it’s not assigned parking. Not my wish that it ought to be, or that other should be more like me, or “But I shoveled the snow!”. You knew it wasn’t assigned parking when you moved in, I assume. Now you’ve developed some emotional attachment to a spot you frequent and think it entitles you to call it ‘yours’, it doesn’t. Nor does moving the snow, sweeping it once a week, giving it a name, or painting your name on it. It’s flat out, not ‘your’ spot. Get over it. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/29 "2011-01-13T04:04:03Z")
Just key the car, it’s what I’d expect if I parked in a space someone else dug out. ---
**Author:** ![seanchai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@seanchai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seanchai)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/30 "2011-01-13T04:28:43Z")
I agreed with elbows’ initial post - unassigned parking means catch-as-catch can. You don’t get to claim sweat equity to a parking stall. an seanchai (posting from The Great White North) ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/31 "2011-01-13T04:37:09Z")
Next time, do a crap job of shoveling, back the car out, go back and put snow back in the spot, and then leave for your errand. The spot ought to be car-free by the time you get back. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/32 "2011-01-13T04:45:02Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > i live in a development that has shared, open parking for the residents. \*\*no assigned spots. \*\* > > – snip — > > … there’s a certain unwritten code that deems\*\* it my fucking spot when i’ve spent time digging it out\*\* and cleaning it out properly. Bolding mine. What unwritten code. Is this the same one where people place chairs on the street just to keep a public parking spot “theirs?” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/33 "2011-01-13T04:55:38Z")
I’m just so going to enjoy pointing out when every single one of you guys gets upset about some unwritten societal rule. MPSIMS is full of it. That’s the reason I do what I do: you make other people feel like crap, so all I do is do the same thing back to you to make you feel like crap. I guess I’m hoping beyond hope that you’ll realize “Hey, this guy has made me mad, but he just did the same thing I did. Sure I’ll gripe at him, but at least I’ll be smart enough not to do the same thing he does.” I’m still waffling on whether I should continue doing it, or just be nicer. But this is the pit, so heck yeah I’m doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/34 "2011-01-13T04:57:10Z")
I still don’t even understand the point of shoveling a shared parking space. The only reason to shovel a driveway is because 1) it belongs to you 2) ordinances require you to do so 3) the potential to be sued if someone slips on your unshoveled property. What possible damage is your car going to sustain by being parked on top of snow instead of pavement? ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/35 "2011-01-13T05:09:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’m just so going to enjoy pointing out when every single one of you guys gets upset about some unwritten societal rule. MPSIMS is full of it. > > That’s the reason I do what I do: you make other people feel like crap, so all I do is do the same thing back to you to make you feel like crap. I guess I’m hoping beyond hope that you’ll realize “Hey, this guy has made me mad, but he just did the same thing I did. Sure I’ll gripe at him, but at least I’ll be smart enough not to do the same thing he does.” > > I’m still waffling on whether I should continue doing it, or just be nicer. But this is the pit, so heck yeah I’m doing it. What the fuck are you talking about. ---
**Author:** ![OldnCrinkly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OldnCrinkly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldnCrinkly)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/36 "2011-01-13T05:31:08Z")
It seems like some people here either do not live where there is snow, and therefore do not know what they are talking about, or do not drive, with the same result. I would not park in someone else’s spot. It is inconsiderate. If someone parks in my spot I will throw buckets of water on their car every ten minutes or so until they get back or the resulting ice is thick enough to satisfy my anger. It is an appropriate response. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/37 "2011-01-13T06:12:40Z")
Where I live we had 4 snow days in 8 days, over 3 ft of snow fell - three days in a row. And no one I know, thinks they’re entitled to claim a spot because they dug their car out. You have to clear the snow to move your car wherever it’s parked, your drive, an assigned spot, the public street, the local mall, or your place of employment. Doing so does not entitle you to feel ownership of the location. If I go to a messy beach and clear a spot of debris, when I get up and go for lunch anyone who wants can come and enjoy the fruits of my labour. I would be a complete fool to expect I am somehow entitled to go back and tell them “That’s my spot!”. Because it’s a public beach. Like parking on the public street, or in an unassigned lot. Seriously, if it gets you this hot, why is this not a deal breaker for where you’ll rent, like personal safety, or access to public transportation? ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/38 "2011-01-13T08:40:34Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > If there isn’t assigned parking, then they aren’t doing anything wrong, your indignation notwithstanding. So, if I cut in front of you in line at a McDonalds while you’re distracted or something, I take it you wouldn’t be pissed? If you would be, why? I’m not doing anything wrong. There’s no rule or law that says I can’t skip you. It’s just common courtesy. You could complain to the manager but that’s just going to delay your order even more. If you feel it’s a big deal, go to a restaurant that takes reservations. While the analogy is far from perfect, my point is that just because something isn’t wrong or against any rule doesn’t mean it’s the best or most courteous course of action. And while **Watkins** might not have any right to complain in the legal sense, I think he’s justifed in a bit of venting. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/39 "2011-01-13T09:26:12Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > So, if I cut in front of you in line at a McDonalds while you’re distracted or something, I take it you wouldn’t be pissed? If you would be, why? I’m not doing anything wrong. There’s no rule or law that says I can’t skip you. It’s just common courtesy. You could complain to the manager but that’s just going to delay your order even more. If you feel it’s a big deal, go to a restaurant that takes reservations. > > While the analogy is far from perfect, my point is that just because something isn’t wrong or against any rule doesn’t mean it’s the best or most courteous course of action. And while **Watkins** might not have any right to complain in the legal sense, I think he’s justifed in a bit of venting. Your analogy isn’t apt. A better way to put it would be thus: You are in the drive-thru line. You realize “oh crap, I forgot my money!” You exit the line and come back 15 minutes later, and get pissed off that the people behind you moved up. ^That is fucking irrational behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/40 "2011-01-13T10:04:18Z")
Your analogy isn’t apt either. No customer puts in an unequal amount of effort in going to the drive-thru. The closest I can get with the drive-thru analogy is: So, the only road to the drive-thru in your small town is blocked by a big pile of snow. You spend 20-30 minutes clearing it and are about to enjoy a nice juicy Burger-X, when you realize you forgot your wallet. Out of courtesy, the worker on shift tells you not to sweat it, that he or she will let you skip to the front of the line when you come back. When you come back, you find the shift has changed, the new clerk has no idea what you’re talking about, and they’re also sold out of burgers. …but this is getting silly. I already said my analogy wasn’t perfect but that it doesn’t have to be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403.md?page=3)