# Non-US Dopers: Does your culture have an equivalent to "calling dibs"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 13, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666 "2025-12-13T15:29:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/1 "2025-12-13T15:29:23Z")
“Calling dibs” is like an informal declaration that you (the person calling dibs) are claiming something for yourself before it’s actually available. Dad’s bringing home Indian food? You “call dibs” on the samosas (meaning, you’re letting everyone else know that you want the first crack at them). On your way home from Sunday dinner at Mom’s house and there’s a football game you want to watch on TV? Tell your wife you’re “calling dibs” on the TV, so she doesn’t put on some home improvement show or whatever. This British-American YouTuber notes how he’s been affected by [Chicago’s informal/formal method of “calling dibs”](https://youtu.be/hlKOnBg_mVY?si=JBY9g9SPil_M6v0B&t=179) on freshly-cleared (of snow) parking spots on the street by putting up a chair on the street. NOTE: He hates it and thinks it sucks, as does everyone else in Chicago (or so I’m led to believe). Is this a thing in your culture, and if so, what’s it called? ETA: My grandparents called it “calling kings.” As in, we’re driving home from bingo, and Grandma had to pee, she’d loudly tell everyone in the car “kings on the bathroom when we get home!” ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/2 "2025-12-13T15:39:22Z")
In the UK (or the bit I grew up) it’s “baggsie” (sp?) You baggsie something which is the equivalent of calling dibbs. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/3 "2025-12-13T15:50:25Z")
Huh. Funnily, it appears that they do a sort of opposite thing in Australia. At least, if what’s shown on Bluey is true. Dad will be driving home with a car full of wife and kids, and he’ll say “someone needs to take the trash out when we get home,” and everyone will say “bags not!” (the equivalent, I guess, of “not it!). ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/4 "2025-12-13T18:04:26Z")
Also in the US, besides ‘calling dibs’ on something, there’s also ‘calling’ something. Example, you’re all in the family car driving home, and you’re all talking about watching some favorite show on TV that you all want to watch, and someone will say, “I call the blue recliner”. So “I’ve got dibs on the blue recliner” is equivalent to “I call the blue recliner”. Another way of doing the same thing. So yeah, like the OP asks, how’s this done in other places or cultures? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/5 "2025-12-13T18:09:55Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > NOTE: He hates it and thinks it sucks, as does everyone else in Chicago (or so I’m led to believe). To observe the obvious, the assholes who think they have the right to reserve parking apparently favor it. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/6 "2025-12-13T18:27:22Z")
I am not from another country but in Western PA I never heard the word “dibs” until much later in life. Never used it at all either. We used to say “Finzies on the front seat/tv channel/etc.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/7 "2025-12-13T18:44:37Z")
Finzies? _Finzies!?_ Yet more proof Pennsylvania is not really part of the USA culturally speaking. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/8 "2025-12-13T18:57:41Z")
Whereas Eastern Pennsylvanians say “fouse guys.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/9 "2025-12-13T18:58:25Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Finzies? _Finzies!?_ > > Yet more proof Pennsylvania is not really part of the USA culturally speaking. 😉 I could see a Pennsylvania driver discussing this with his passengers. “Yinz called finzies on wodder?” ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/10 "2025-12-13T19:04:58Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > This British-American YouTuber notes how he’s been affected by [Chicago’s informal/formal method of “calling dibs”](https://youtu.be/hlKOnBg_mVY?si=JBY9g9SPil_M6v0B&t=179) on freshly-cleared (of snow) parking spots on the street by putting up a chair on the street. NOTE: He hates it and thinks it sucks, as does everyone else in Chicago (or so I’m led to believe). To my understanding, the chair-in-the-parking-spot thing is claiming a spot that you yourself have hand-cleared with a shovel. If that’s true then it makes more sense. Calling dibs on a spot you didn’t clear yourself seems like it ought to be a citable offense IMO. If you have a car, occupy it. Otherwise don’t go making claims. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/11 "2025-12-13T19:05:47Z")
I hate it, but it’s pretty routine on the Southwest Side, and I’ve never heard anyone bitch about it. It’s just part of the “culture,” I guess. I suspect attitudes may vary by neighborhood. I believe they do this in Pittsburg, too. So we have that and our fondness for the word “jagoff” in common. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/12 "2025-12-13T19:42:33Z")
This is not necessarily true and not at all obvious. Regardless of how much they might hate it, people will participate in a flawed system solely to avoid being disadvantaged by it. Even if they hate the system, their refusal to claim a spot early is not going to effect change unless they can get everyone else to stop doing it as well–which they can’t. Their moral stance and refusal to claim a spot will only put them at a disadvantage. It won’t improve anything. Classic Game Theory. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/13 "2025-12-13T20:11:36Z")
Doesn’t really exist in my culture. The whole purpose of dibs is to avoid arguments, and we prefer to argue about stuff. > [@HeyHomie](#): > > . Dad’s bringing home Indian food? You “call dibs” on the samosas (meaning, you’re letting everyone else know that you want the first crack at them) If everybody wants samosas, why doesn’t Dad bring enough for everyone? What the hell, Dad? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/14 "2025-12-13T20:25:19Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > why doesn’t Dad bring enough for everyone? Perhaps Dad prefers the kids argue about stuff, just like in your culture. Why Dad wants the kids to argue about samosas instead of existential philosophy, football, or how to best set your neighbour’s house on fire is weird, but parents think in misterious ways. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/15 "2025-12-13T21:10:37Z")
“Bags” would be the most common term here, in my assessment. And “Bags not” “Dibs” is familiar, but can’t recall a usage of “Dibs not” “Shotgun” has a more specific usage of wanting the passenger side front seat in the car. A reference suggests that the local vernacular includes “Bars” & “Bars not” but that’s not familiar to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/16 "2025-12-13T21:24:14Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Finzies? _Finzies!?_ > > Yet more proof Pennsylvania is not really part of the USA culturally speaking. 😉 LOL I have to agree. Yeah it’s got it’s own weird bit of language to acclimate to … or detach from as I have tried to do my entire life. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/17 "2025-12-13T21:45:25Z")
FWIW… > **[15 Different Ways to Call “Dibs” Across the United States](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/slang/14-different-ways-call-dibs-across-united-states)** > > People in the U.S. have some pretty interesting words for claiming things. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/18 "2025-12-13T21:49:00Z")
I remember “bags” from my childhood. Used as a verb like “I bags the chocolate ice cream” or “he bagsed the good seat”. Hadn’t thought of it for the best part of 50 years until I read this thread. No idea what kids say nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/19 "2025-12-13T22:00:40Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > If everybody wants samosas, why doesn’t Dad bring enough for everyone? What the hell, Dad? That maybe wasn’t a great example for food. Think of an assortment or variety pack of slightly different items- say a variety six pack of cereal. Two kids each call dibs on the Lucky Charms - whoever is left has to choose between Cheerios and Apple Jacks ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666/20 "2025-12-13T22:23:56Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > That maybe wasn’t a great example for food. Think of an assortment or variety pack of slightly different items- say a variety six pack of cereal. Two kids each call dibs on the Lucky Charms - whoever is left has to choose between Cheerios and Apple Jacks Good save, thank you for providing a better example than mine. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-us-dopers-does-your-culture-have-an-equivalent-to-calling-dibs/1025666.md?page=2)