The question came up today on OTBKB’s fave list-serve, Park Slope Parents. Is it OK to park one’s derriere on a stranger’s stoop? One commenter said she thinks of stoops as public domain.
Someone else said if the building doesn’t have a gate between the sidewalk and the stoop: go for it!
But this commenter, who lives in a first floor apartment in a building with a stoop, begs to differ. In true Slope fashion, the commenter apologizes for her less than “all for one and one for all” viewpoint.
I hate to be a stick in the mud about this, but I actually think a stoop is
not a public domain and that it is wrong to park your self there. I live on
the first floor of a building with a very inviting stoop, and my apartment
overlooks the stoop. While I am sure you and your daughter only want to
enjoy the lovely weather and rest a bit, when people sit and talk on my
stoop, for me its like they are right there in my kitchen. Sometimes they
can talk quite loudly. Some people sit and smoke, eat or drink, and then
leave behind their garbage. One time a guy actually set up his portable
stereo! I try and nicely redirect people–the park is only one block away.
I’m sorry to say, I think stoop sitting is a bit of an intrusion.
Don’t be quick to make assumptions about other people’s life experiences based on whether or not they want people hanging out on their front stoop, Saucytart. That’s a bit of a leap and frankly irrelevant. Maybe what you mean to say is that in your neighborhood the attitude is different. And by the way, when you’ve worked hard to finally buy your own home I think you are ‘entitled’ to come home and not have to clean up someone else’s cigarette butts and beer bottles before you get in the front door.
of course, stoops are not public domain. of course, people should be courteous and considerate. yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. ahaha. but, really, there is a difference between someone huffing a blunt and drinking a 40-oz and a mommy taking a quick rest with her 4 year old. or is there? lol. where i live it might be one and the same. here in the further reaches of BK, people are far less **entitled** and when they bitch about quality of life problems,they’re not sweating the small stuff. they’re thinking about not getting shot or mugged, about whether the slumlord is going to keep the building maintained and secure, whether the garbage is going to be collected. people, you really don’t know when you have a good situation. how would you ever survive if your world came crashing down around your ears?
Stoops are not public domain, and it’ not ok to park your uninvited self (unless it’s an emergency) on someone’s stoop. This will happen from time to time at my house and not all uninvited guests are equal. Some people will hang out and smoke cigarettes, make a mess, and leave. Not cool. Some people think it’s ok to hang out play music and drink. Also not cool. If it’s not your house and you are not invited, you’re not welcome.