# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/101 "2011-01-13T21:18:56Z")
> [@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 are you, five? ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/102 "2011-01-13T23:23:47Z")
> [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](#): > > The very basis of courtesy would be to not take a shoveled lot unless you had also shoveled out a lot. But I _did_ shovel out a slot, back at wherever I was parked overnght. So that makes it okay for me to take any other shoveled slot, right? ---
**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, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/103 "2011-01-13T23:34:06Z")
Depends. Is it an assigned or non assigned lot? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/104 "2011-01-14T00:04:43Z")
Can a Southerner ask a practical question or two? What do you do if you get somewhere and there’s a ton of snow there and no open spaces? Like, if it isn’t your house? Do you just… leave your car somewhere? Do you carry a snow shovel in the trunk? Park in the aisle? What do elderly and handicapped people do? Do people who live in apartments all have snow shovels? Don’t you scratch up the car next to you with it sometimes? What on earth do you do when five feet falls - what if you run out of places to put it? This is like reading about social habits of Martians. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/105 "2011-01-14T00:05:59Z")
Does it matter? ---
**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 14, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/106 "2011-01-14T00:41:42Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Can a Southerner ask a practical question or two? What do you do if you get somewhere and there’s a ton of snow there and no open spaces? Like, if it isn’t your house? Do you just… leave your car somewhere? Do you carry a snow shovel in the trunk? Park in the aisle? What do elderly and handicapped people do? Do people who live in apartments all have snow shovels? Don’t you scratch up the car next to you with it sometimes? What on earth do you do when five feet falls - what if you run out of places to put it? This is like reading about social habits of Martians. It sucks for old people - they’ll either get dug out by nice neighbors, have their kids/grandkids come over and do it, or move to Florida. You usually get your car parked before a major storm hits and you generally try not to drive around if _that_ much snow falls. People carry shovels in their trunks, just in case they get stuck and they need to dig themselves out, but private snow removal companies are usually pretty fast at cleaning up large commercial parking lots quickly after a storm. And, no, if you aren’t a complete dumbass you can manage to dig your car out without scratching other cars. You just basically pick some snow up (when there’s a lot of snow, it compresses under its own weight and packs down, you can pick it up with a shovel and it won’t fall all over the place [contrast to shoveling dirt, water, or something]) lift, walk to where you can dump it, and dump. (this isn’t really applicable to places that routinely get 100+ inches of snow in a season - i don’t know how they roll, frankly) (5 feet falling in one go is extremely rare for most people - that’s more than the snowfall totals for the winter in most places in the continental US that aren’t in mountain regions or prone to lake-effect snow.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/107 "2011-01-14T00:42:25Z")
If I found a thousand dollars in an envelope in a snow cleared parking space, is it mine ? Am I to assume that given the money is not assigned that I am entitled to it. Finders keepers? I know I know. When I went to school , I appreciated my fellow students respecting which desk I expected to occupy. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/108 "2011-01-14T00:44:35Z")
What if you get somewhere early in the morning after a snowfall (not the place you live) - is it considered rude just to drive into a snowy parking place and make icy wheel ruts? ---
**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 14, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/109 "2011-01-14T00:47:35Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > What if you get somewhere early in the morning after a snowfall (not the place you live) - is it considered rude just to drive into a snowy parking place and make icy wheel ruts? not quite sure i understand. plows get into businesses/commercial parking lots pretty much right after the snow stops or before the morning workers come in, so they’re usually clean. but, yes, most people just drive into a spot - they don’t get out of the car, shovel it, and then drive in. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/110 "2011-01-14T01:47:10Z")
[QUOTE=elbows;13350228 Think about a building with 200 units, you’d hardly ever be parked in the same spot, again and again. [/QUOTE] Hmm… I don’t live in a snowy region, but on this part. I live in a complex with around 600 or so car parks. I only ever park in the same 8-10 car parks every time. So there are quite often times when I have the same car park 2 nights running, and there I certainly recognise the cars around me… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/111 "2011-01-14T02:24:05Z")
We gets tons of snow, and this is never an issue. Most places of employment have contracts with companies that come at dawn and plough out employee parking, hospitals, much as the city does the streets. Apartment towers have similar arrangements, though people have to dig out their own cars, and, to their own satisfaction, the spot it sits in. Often, once it’s after the time most everyone is off to work, the plough will return to clear around the few cars left, maximizing the number of clear spaces. If your car is parked on the street, you have to dig it out. When you pull away from the curb, at least where I live, no one expects to have it remain open for their return, this applies equally to all unassigned lots, at malls, apartment towers, employee lots. The snow is currently stacked so high in front of my house, beside the sidewalk, I would not see a minivan parked there! We don’t experience people being engaged in parking wars or rage because everyone seems to understand the rules the same way, unassigned parking means you take your chances, suck it up, it’s the same for everybody. It’s called sharing. So, yeah, I still don’t see the appeal of an unwritten code that produces such ire and conflict. It does not encourage courtesy, as far as I can see. And people here abouts would consider it extremely petty and juvenile behaviour to make a fuss over. Perhaps it’s because we have to shovel all the time, wherever our car is parked. Before going to work, (get up a little early), sometimes before going to bed, (so it won’t be so bad in the morning), after work to get our car out and head home. Sometimes all three in the same day. So, yeah, maybe we’re a little more inclined to think, ‘So you shoveled some snow, wah, wah, get over it, you knew it wasn’t assigned parking, what’s with you?’ ---
**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 14, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/112 "2011-01-14T02:28:55Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > We don’t experience people being engaged in parking wars or rage because everyone seems to understand the rules the same way, unassigned parking means you take your chances, suck it up, it’s the same for everybody. It’s called sharing. dude, you post as if you have a monopoly on righteousness and what is proper. it’s fucking annoying. fact is, you’re actually in the minority of posters here in regards to your opinion. so shut. the. fuck. up. about. it. already. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/113 "2011-01-14T02:50:14Z")
My bad, but I’m not seeing the righteousness. I was just addressing Zsofia’s questions. Thought I was civil and on topic. All I’ve done is present a reasoned argument for another way or view, than the one you see. It doesn’t seem like that’s what you’re after here. I see that now. Again, my bad. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/114 "2011-01-14T02:58:03Z")
Just to throw this out there: > **[Can you dig it? | PassiveAggressiveNotes.com](http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2010/02/21/can-you-dig-it/)** > > NOT COOL!! You didn't take 3 hours to shovel this spot OUT!! This is MY parking spot!! ---
**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 14, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/115 "2011-01-14T04:02:47Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > TECHNICALLY and On Paper: You clear an unassigned spot, but someone can come and just park in it, even though they didn’t do anything with their spot except power out of it. They can. Nothing technically wrong with it. Study laws, rules of the complex, make a federal case of it, etc and, on paper, it’s not wrong. > > REALISTICALLY: Well, it’s wrong, because there happens to be the very realistic issue of common courtesy, respect, and just overall application of soft skills. There are certain abstract things that make places better, and make courtesy what it is. > > \*\*In a society, we need to transcend what is technically and legally correct. > \*\* > > It’s rude to do _many_ things that are not against the law. > > . Common courtesy is the grease that keeps the wheels of civilization turning. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/116 "2011-01-14T04:57:21Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > 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. Amen and amen. The larger application of this principle is something I’ve been railing on about all over these boards for a while now. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/117 "2011-01-14T05:00:15Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > TECHNICALLY and On Paper: You clear an unassigned spot, but someone can come and just park in it, even though they didn’t do anything with their spot except power out of it. They can. Nothing technically wrong with it. Study laws, rules of the complex, make a federal case of it, etc and, on paper, it’s not wrong. > > REALISTICALLY: Well, it’s wrong, because there happens to be the very realistic issue of common courtesy, respect, and just overall application of soft skills. There are certain abstract things that make places better, and make courtesy what it is. > > \*\*In a society, we need to transcend what is technically and legally correct. > \*\* > > It’s rude to do _many_ things that are not against the law. > > . You have identified a behavior that you believe is rude. So fucking what? Would you care for a confection . . . a cookie, perhaps? You seem to believe that your opinion of that behavior means that other people are required to abstain from doing it, which just simply isn’t the case at all. ---
**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 14, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/118 "2011-01-14T06:06:24Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You have identified a behavior that you believe is rude. So fucking what? Would you care for a confection . . . a cookie, perhaps? You seem to believe that your opinion of that behavior means that other people are required to abstain from doing it, which just simply isn’t the case at all. The world you would make would be a brutal, harsh place to live. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/119 "2011-01-14T06:13:29Z")
When did the OP ever say he had an ‘emotional attachment’ to the parking spot? When did he say he is ‘requiring’ people to behave like he does? He lives in a community with an unspoken rule that is clearly understood as a type of common courtesy. Other communities may and do vary. The OP is not trying to convert anyone to his beliefs. He was simply trying to fucking vent off some steam. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403/120 "2011-01-14T06:17:18Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > You have identified a behavior that you believe is rude. So fucking what? Would you care for a confection . . . a cookie, perhaps? You seem to believe that your opinion of that behavior means that other people are required to abstain from doing it, which just simply isn’t the case at all. The sentence you quoted in **Philster’s** post was referring to this particular case, but also to society as a whole. Take said cookie and shove it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuckers-who-dont-have-a-clue-about-common-courtesy-in-snowy-regions/567403.md?page=7)