A lot of jerks out there won't clear the snow/ice from their cars (including the tops). When they get out on the roads, the snow blows all over people behind them.

I've even seen ice chips break off from a car, fly into the air and strike a car behind them. Dangerous, and potentially deadly.

I guess the saying that "ignorance is bliss" applies to those that don't know any better. They must think that driving without clearing the snow means the snow will just clear itself, saving the driver from the "hassle" of having to clear it themselves.

Positively second the no parking in other people's dug-out spaces guideline. Would also like to add that neighbors should help neighbors shovel and return the favor once in a while. This guideline isn't always followed, even by otherwise good neighbors. Don't take advantage of other people's good will. Do your part!

Having spent the effort to shovel out my car from 2 feet of snow I have earned the right to it until the snow clears more.

I hate to sound like a scold . But i think that people should also shovel their walks and help their older neighbors by shoveling out their's as well.

In many parts of Baltimore people only have 12 feet of sidewalk.It doesnt take much effort to shovel out the 70 year old lady next door if you are in you are under 50.

Especially when people spend so much money to go to gyms nowdays.Here is a chance for free exercise.

And its a great way to meet your neighbors!So for those who have shoveled out their older neighbors , thank you.And for those who havent , please spend a half hour or so to help them out. Thank you.

[for the record me, and 3 other neighbors cleared both sides of sidewalks on our block .It was actually quite enjoyable! ]

Pete from Highlandtown, you are so right. By the way, I'm a healthy, vigorous, in-shape 52-year-old, and I have no problem shoveling my own walk and those of my neighbors. But as I said above, the favor is rarely, if ever, returned (and the people in those houses are a lot younger than me!). Not very neighborly.

Speaking of snow etiquette.On my block of Curley Street in Highlandtown and the block south of me all of the neighbors came out to shovel the street since we know that we wont get plowed on our street.

Both blocks are clear and we are going to finish off digging out the last few individual cars on the block tommorow.

But on the block north of me, and some other blocks i saw on a walk, everyone shoveled out their cars and threw the snow in the middle of the street!

They all looked out only for themselves.And now none of them can get out.On the blocks like mine whre everybody worked together ,everyone can now get out[with the exception of a few cars that we are digging out tommorow].

I do think that there is a lesson there.

Holding spots after your car leaves:

1. leads to your 1 car taking up 2 spots (where it was + where ever it now is) at a time when spots are at a premium and compounds the parking shortage.
2. ignores the fact that anyone who is on the road and able to park has dug out a spot them self already.

Look at both sides of the equation. Don't make a bad problem worse. Don't be a Baltimoron.

Ask yourself:

What would it be like if NOBODY held spaces?????
What would it be like if EVERYBODY held spaces?????

Hey 1 car taking up 2 spots,

1. Many people are leaving their residential spots to park in a private lot where they work or where they shop. They aren't taking up another residential parking space. They are taking up spaces that would otherwise be vacant.

As well, some people may have left their space just to drop someone off at work or at an appointment and then they are returning home. While they're away from their residential spot, they are not taking up another spot.

2. Not everyone who is driving on the road must park on the road. Some are coming from garages, and even garage spaces to which no one else has access. Therefore, not everyone on the road has dug out a spot for him/herself.

As well, some people who get their cars out do the minimal work necessary to get their cars out, which makes it almost impossible to park in the space they dug out of.

If everyone held spaces, everyone would be able to return to the space s/he cleaned before leaving.

If no one held spaces, we end up with people doing minimal work to get their cars out and parking in a cleaner spot upon their return, thereby taking advantage of the work someone else has done.

*deep breath*I can't count the amount of times I have shoveled out a spot only to come back to see the person behind me has moved into that spot and emptied the entire pile of snow that was on their car into the spot they came from, causing me to have to shovel that spot as well. Lack of common courtesy is what leads to people claiming spots with foreign objects.

Shoveling out your space earns you the right to drive your car. Nothing more.

Your selfishness, myopia , and narrow mindedness exacerbate an already bad parking shortage problem.

Snow Etiquette:

I spent 3-4 hours shoveling a spot where people rarely, rarely park in the summer. I'm from Pittsburgh, we have 22 inches where I live and are getting more now. I marked my spot with a box after having it taken the first time I left, yes I was upset. I'm going to work on an extra spot up the street from my appartment and relinquish my box. Some people will not relinquish their box/chair/or whatever ever. I think if we accept that messing with those people is picking a fight, and do our best to help a few of our neighbors we'll all do ok. I'm in good shape, but my arms are getting tired after shoveling for 3 or 4 days! Go forth, shovel and greet your neighbors!

I know all about the chairs...It's year around in Pittsburgh, especially on the South Side.