Most Pittsburghers live on a street that is barely wide enough for the two lanes of opposing traffic to travel on, let alone park their cars on. Some even have trolley (tralwee) tracks in the middle of their road. So when a Pittsburgher is presented with space to parallel park his vehicle near his humble abode, he guards that space with his life—or rather, anything he can find.
This practice known as “spot saving” is most common in Pittsburgh areas like Dormont, Beechview, Brookline, and the South Side, where double parking and one way streets entangle around shoulder-to-shoulder residential buildings. Pittsburghers will save their parking spots with just about any ornament that fits the bill. This may include, but is not limited to, folding chairs, adirondack lounges, parking cones connected with Christmas lights, stolen construction barrels, large potted plants, wooden pallets, or small children (if it’s a quick trip for cigarettes).
When looking for a parking spot in Pittsburgh, do not mistake the cardboard poster that reads “No Parking: violators will be shot” as legitimate municipality signage. And it is unlikely that violators will experience gun violence, but instead get “hollered at” and possibly smacked with a wooden spoon.
However, it is perfectly acceptable to steal the spot of a Hummer, as its owner certainly does not live in the aforementioned Pittsburgh areas, and should not be driving their Panzer-sized vehicles on narrow streets anyhow.
ajgrieco
I steal folding chairs, milk crates, and anything else I see on the street that seems to indicate you think the road belongs to you. Keep leaving it out there, Pittsburgh, and I’ll keep on taking it.
Cinder blocks are my personal favorite.