Parking chair

The parking chair is a type of outdoor furniture commonly used in cities with heavy snowfall, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a chair that residents place on the street to reserve a parking space after they have shoveled the snow from it. The practice of using parking chairs has become a cultural phenomenon in these cities, where residents believe in the unwritten rule that a parking space they have cleared is their property until they return.

History

The exact origins of the parking chair are unknown, but it is believed to have emerged in the late 20th century in Pittsburgh. The city experiences significant snowfall during the winter months, and residents needed a way to reserve the parking spaces they had cleared. The use of parking chairs quickly spread among the locals, and it has since become a common practice in other cities with similar weather conditions.

Usage

When a resident clears a parking space from snow, they typically place a parking chair in the spot to indicate that it is reserved. The chair is often positioned in the center of the space, making it visible to other drivers. The type of chair used can vary, but it is usually a sturdy and easily recognizable piece of furniture.

File:Parking chair in use.jpg

A parking chair in use on a snowy street

The presence of a parking chair serves as a signal to other drivers that the space is taken. It is considered impolite and disrespectful to remove or move a parking chair without the owner's permission. Violating this unwritten rule can lead to conflicts and disputes among residents.

Controversies

The use of parking chairs has sparked debates and controversies in cities where the practice is prevalent. Critics argue that reserving public parking spaces with personal items is unfair and goes against the principles of shared resources. They believe that parking spaces should be available on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of who cleared the snow.

Proponents of parking chairs argue that the practice is a practical solution to the challenges posed by heavy snowfall. They believe that the effort put into clearing a parking space entitles the resident to reserve it temporarily. They also argue that the use of parking chairs helps maintain order and prevents conflicts over parking spaces.

Cultural Significance

The parking chair has become a symbol of winter resilience and community norms in cities where it is commonly used. It represents the collective understanding among residents that a cleared parking space is a valuable commodity during snowy conditions. The practice of using parking chairs has even inspired artwork, memes, and social media discussions.

See Also

• Snow removal
• Winter traditions