** This blog post subject was requested by SB member Alicia Zbornak on the Secret Boston Facebook Group. If you want us to write about something (Boston-related) leave your requests here.

Picture this: a blizzard hits. Hours of intense shoveling. A victory. You drag a kitchen chair out to save the spot. Maybe a couch. And if anyone moves it, its war.

Thus, a basic scene unfolds in Boston.

Some people think saving parking spots is selfish (they’re probably not from here). They say it's like privatizing public property -> 🙄.

Showdowns

The number of conflicts in Boston over parking spots are legion. Like teenage, angst-filled love, when it comes to parking in Boston emotions can run wild. If you’re caught “stealing” a spot the result is anything from harsh words, to yelling, to shoving, to fighting, to all of a sudden the whole neighborhood is getting involved including siblings, cousins, parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents of the space-theft-victim. No exaggeration. If you’re not from here, do yourself a favor and believe me, it happens.

And if you are from here, and you steal a space, you are definitely looking for a fight. And everyone knows it.

Solutions:

Flying cars where the sky is our parking lot. That might take a while.

In the meantime, I think it’s generational. Each winter it seems less and less “acceptable” to save spaces and to protect those spaces through violence (I don’t know why I’m laughing). It seams people are becoming “nicer” or at least a lot more apprehensive to show their fury at saved-space-stealers using threats and fists.

It used to be expected.

Now you can get arrested.

The Real Deal

It’s obvious the only real solution is more parking spots - duh. But how? I don’t know. I’m just a blog post writer. How am I supposed to solve a problem that is not just the issue in itself but a representation of a cultural phenomena unique to Boston where loyalty and respect are as important to us - at least figuratively - as the air we breath.

When you steal our parking spots you’re not just stealing our parking spot. You’re disrespecting me, my family, and everyone I know.

Conclusion

I know all of this might sound crazy but when it comes to parking in Boston it’s about respect and loyalty. If that sounds crazy to you, you’re not from here. And if you are from here, you wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Do you have any crazy space saver stories? Let us know in the comments!