I believe neighbors putting their old chairs or barely used exercise equipment on the street to enable them the unwritten right to save a shoveled parking spot is wrong. But I do believe it’s a practice that should be continued to be allowed. And my reason is common courtesy.
I was raised in Bucktown, when a neighborhood was a place where a family raised its children. And one thing that seems to be missing today is common courtesy.
What is common courtesy? Nobody can really give a true definition.
But here are some common courtesies I was taught growing up:
– Knocking on the door of neighbors to remind them to move their car for the street cleaners, saving them a parking ticket.
– Sweeping the curbs clean of leaves and debris after a rainstorm, allowing for the sewers to drain and not flood the basements on the block.
– Allowing your neighbors to save the shoveled parking spot on the street, showing respect for their time and effort.
– Shoveling the sidewalk in front of a sick or older neighbor’s house, allowing him or her to be at ease.
