The Current Do you call dibs on your street parking spot in the snow?
Jan 28, 2026
Andrew Clark, Globe and Mail columnist and Humber College comedy director, weighs in on urban parking culture and the rituals around shovelled street spots. He contrasts blunt U.S. tactics with Canada’s polite cone-and-faux-construction approach. The conversation covers why people avoid confrontation and how claims on public space raise fairness questions.
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Digging Out And Losing Your Spot
- Andrew Clark describes digging his Jeep out and watching other people take spots he cleared.
- He recounts repeatedly digging new spots until the street was clean, showing the frustration of losing cleared spaces.
Canadian Dibs Favor Official Signals
- Clark says Canadians prefer subtle, lawlike markers like orange cones over overt 'dibs' tactics used in U.S. cities.
- He contrasts inventive U.S. markers with Canadians' desire for perceived municipal approval.
Creative U.S. Dibs Examples
- Clark shares U.S. examples: frozen jeans, toy cars and a cardboard fire hydrant used to reserve spots.
- He mentions Chicago residents even offered snacks and drinks as bribes to keep others away.