Lawn chairs in the street. Yay or Nay? (Chicago, Bridgeport: house, neighborhood)

[j33]

So what do you guys think of guarding your shoveled parking spot with whatever broken down piece furniture you find laying around the house or nicked from an alley? Is this a time honored tradition to be respected or an anti-social behavior to be mocked?

I only ask because it is that time of year again, and I saw that a few have emerged from hibernation on my way to the 'el' this morning.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about. Here is a picture

http://www.rachelleb.com/images/2005_01_25/dibs3.jpg

[mdz]

When it's more than a few inches--you better believe it. When you just spent an hour shovelling/snowblowing the caked up snow and ice so your mother (or whomever) can get to her car easily, people should respect that.

A wimpy 2-3 inches doesn't count. I think 6 inches is a good rule.

The only question is how long the dibs last for. Couple of days? Week?

[Drover]

This whole concept is asinine. My car wasn't beamed out of its spot by Scotty up in the Transporter Room. I put in the same sweat equity as everyone else to get my car out of the snow, and that entitles me to park anydamnwhere I choose. I have no qualms about moving the lawn chair, ironing board, dinette set, satellite that fell from space, or whatever other piece of junk you put in "your" space, and putting my car in its place.

[MarquettePark]

Drover, you arent a true Chicagoan, everybody knows, you dont touch that furniture or even consider doing what you propose.

Pulling your car out of the snow is one thing, but shoveling a ten foot long eight foot wide rectangle is true sweat equity not pushing the pedal to the metal.

I am truly surprised at you.

[j33]

I know lots of life-long Chicagoans (I find the phrase 'true chicagoan' nativist and creepy and will not use it) who think it is an asinine tradition (which is not confined to Chicago, I've seen it in Boston too), I just listened to a rant today from my coworker (who is from Bridgeport by the way, not that it matters) complain about how she hates the whole 'chair in the street thing', it is a subject that everyone has different opinions on, regardless of what part of town they are from.

[Vanessa Sue]

Originally Posted by j33

I know lots of life-long Chicagoans (I find the phrase 'true chicagoan' nativist and creepy and will not use it) who think it is an asinine tradition (which is not confined to Chicago, I've seen it in Boston too), I just listened to a rant today from my coworker (who is from Bridgeport by the way, not that it matters) complain about how she hates the whole 'chair in the street thing', it is a subject that everyone has different opinions on, regardless of what part of town they are from.

I have to agree ~ I lived in Chicago for almost my entire life and everyone is kinda split on the subject.

I do recall, however, when I was married to my ex and not at all feeling 'bad' about doing it when I came home from work after a big snow, moving the lawnchair and having 'my parking space' free and clear...

[j33]

I love pictures. Here are some more. Heh.

http://www.slats.org/archives/2007/02/15/185741.php

[BRU67]

Ugly and tacky yes but an absolute necessity in Chicago and the inner-ring. I shoveled out a spot in front of my house earlier this winter and my neighbor zipped into my spot less than 20 minutes later. You know that isn't happening again. Some people feel embarrassed but it's all good. Go with the chair!

[MarquettePark]

You sure your neighbor isnt drover, lol..........

[A1ex]

i just moved up to the northside a month ago and had never heard of this concept. luckily no one in my neighborhood did that, but i did have to shovel maybe 4 or 5 spots before the week was over. i'm going to invest in some crappy furniture for next year.