Hello. I live in an area where it snows a lot, and I know that if you clear a parking spot, it’s generally accepted that you can “claim” it by holding it with an item or something.
After it snowed, the next day I cleared out my usual spot to go to work. By the time I came back around 10:30 pm, someone had taken it. For the next two days, I had to park in snow because every other spot was either taken by a car or still covered in snow.
Near the garages, there are three parking spots that were filled with snow, and one of them was kind of empty-ish. I assumed the snow plow had cleared some of it while plowing. For 1–2 days, that spot stayed empty and no one used it because of the snow.
On the third day, I cleared that spot and “claimed” it by using a chair when I wasn’t there. For the past 11 days, I’ve been doing this, and no one said anything. Today, I came back and saw a message on my chair saying, “You didn’t clear that spot.”
My thinking is that if someone had said this earlier, I would’ve moved my car because it wouldn’t be right to take a spot they cleared. But since it’s been almost two weeks of consistent use, I don’t understand how someone can suddenly claim it’s theirs.
So now my question is: AITA for taking and using a spot that no one used and that I cleared myself?
I think it’s a shame you have to care so much about a parking spot
Maybe you should consider moving
NAH.
The problem is there is no actual rules around the spots. As long as they remain unassigned there will always be tensions or issues.
Whoever controls these spots needs to either clear the snow (as thy are responsible for hazards) or assign spot.
NTA. You cleared it and it’s unassigned. If that’s the unspoken rule, then you followed it.
NTA. If they cleared it, why was it empty and covered in snow when you found it? They didn’t clear it. the plow did, and now they want credit for the city’s work
NTA
It was only ½ cleared, so you did put in the work. I guess they could have a motorcycle?
But, if you feel unsafe, clear another spot. I, too, live where it snowed 2 weeks ago and the news has shown fights about cleared spots get violent and nothing’s worth that.
NTA