Had a verbal argument with a parent this morning when I scolded her child for marking up the sidewalk in front of our building with yellow and pink chalk. I do not think I was wrong when I instructed her to have her child stop.
The children's area in Prospect Park is the proper venue for the sidewalk chalk. Parents, please take your children to the park if you feel like giving them huge pieces of brightly colored chalk.
lol.
Only in Park Slope
you must reply in the form of a pirate
All I can say is Wow!, I didn't think we'd gotten to a place where children playing with chalk on the sidewalk would be a discussion. Relax... it will rain soon, and it will go away.
I get annoyed as shit at lots of kid stuff around here, but I honestly don't see the big deal with chalk on the sidewalk. If I'm trying to get in and out of my place, then I don't want them crawling around, but otherwise what's the harm? It's actually one of the least annoying things I can think of for a parent to allow their kid to do outside, at home. It's usually a pretty quiet activity compared to the scooters or kid games. Do you think kids should be allowed to play at all in front of their buildings?
I'm not against telling the kid to keep it off of the space in front of your home if you really hate it (and I think the parent should oblige), but I don't see any harm in the chalk.
Now the kids shooting water guns and hoses as neighbors and passersby definitely deserves a word or two, on the sidewalks or in the park.
While I don't think sidewalk chalk is the end of the world, I do wonder why parents don't instruct their kids to play in front of their own homes? When I was a kid we were strictly bounded by the area that fronted our house and yard, and one or two neighbors homes where we had been given explict permission to play because our friends who were playing with us lived there. We were also instructed to not play inside other people's fences or on the stairs of adjoining houses. Seems like this no longer happens and parents just let their kids play wherever they happen to land.
Right. So long as the kiddies keep their drawings to the area in front of their stoop, who cares? Given the amount dog (and cat) piss and shat already on the sidewalks, what's a bit of chalk?
I'm fine with it, I think its cute :p. Kids done on the sidewalk with chalk infront of my property before etc..
If adults spray graffiti on the other hand with their permanent paints on the walls that's totally a different story.
I suggest people look up "west1440" older posts and you'll understand.
Was the child in front of their own home or yours? Because chalk washes off easily and a child should be able to play in front of their own home as long as they are not defacing it or causing permanent damage! Get out a hose, wash it off and lighten up!!
arrrghhh, there is no need to use me hose or worry about the limey troll.
Ye Brooklynians, just need ye wait for the next rain storm to wash off the the writin' of the scallywags.
All ye chalk will run to ye harbor and then to ye sea.
You're lucky you only had a 'verbal argument' after you scolded someone else's child over using chalk on a sidewalk. ("when I scolded her child for marking up the sidewalk in front of our building")
Of all the ridiculous posts that have come and gone on these boards over the years, this takes the cake.
Jarvis-
Just click on west1440/victor/pyrnicvictory posts.
They are the same posts, and all by the same poster. The world is full of odd people.
Often one of the clones will join the thread to try to add to the chatter....
Kids and Chalk -Yet another sign of the return to the bad old days.
It has long been observed that the monthly amount of ice cream that is sold is directly correlated to the number of murders.
Perhaps we can establish a correlation to the sales of chalk. Didn't kids play more sidewalk Hopscotch back in the 80s and 90s? Yes, they did.
Wasn't that NYC's most violent period? Yes, it was.
Gotta love correlation.
...gotta make sure not to jump to causation.
I am so glad you did did not scold my child for using sidewalk chalk on the sidewalk. It would have ended in me being arrested.
whynot_31 said:
Jarvis-
Just click on west1440/victor/pyrnicvictory posts.They are the same posts, and all by the same poster. The world is full of odd people.
Often one of the clones will join the thread to try to add to the chatter....
I think West 1441 is really Marty Markowitz
Ringrunner, you may be on to something.
Like Marty Markowitz, West1440 does appear to believe the public is stupid.
...and I never seen Marty and West1440 in a photo together, so yea, could be.
Let's add that to our coincidence pile.
west1440 - do you live on 9th St?
For the rest of you, there is some kid or kids that not only marks up the sidewalk - they scribble on the stoops and the front wall of the houses. I have not ever seen them do it, but I would also tell the mother to move them on and get her kids under supervision.
I grew up in the city, we were only permitted to chalk up the front of our own house and the relative's next door.
I'm pretty crotchety myself, but even I don't have a problem with sidewalk chalk.
That said, if those same kids were to move from chalking just the sidewalk to chalking buildings which were not their families', then I would have a problem with it.
The OP "scolded her child".
Was the OP even a neighbor.
I would have beat the OP into the ground.
Well this is a perfect opportunity for my 1st post. I DO have a problem with these annoying kids and their chalk. I take a lot of pride in keeping the front of my home looking nice and pristene. Why should I have to deal with these brats scribbling all over in front of my home. This is a result of lazy and inconsiderate parents. Keep your kids grafitti on your own property if you don't have a problem with it. They'll be the same jerkoffs when they get older who will sit on the hood of your car to hang out with the rest of the park slop houligans. Go buy your kids some coloring books you buch of cheapo's! Ahhhhh feels good to vent!
Stretchy said:
Well this is a perfect opportunity for my 1st post. I DO have a problem with these annoying kids and their chaulk. I take a lot of pride in keeping the front of my home looking nice and pristene. Why should I have to deal with these brats scribbling all over in front of my home. This is a result of lazy and inconsiderate parents. Keep your kids graffitti on your own property if you don't have a problem with it. They'll be the same jerkoffs when they get older who will sit on the hood of your car to hang out with the rest of the park slop houligans. Go buy your kids some coloring books you buch of cheapo's! Ahhhhh feels good to vent!
You should not have moved into a neighborhood with children. A gated "community" sounds right for you.
Yea, I just wish people would only let their pet piss and shit in front of their own property.
I agree winston. I have a dog and he either goes at the tree in front of my house or at the park. But maybe from now on, I will bring my dog to pee at the homes of these chalk writers. Then when they complain I can say "why are you complaining, the rain will wash it away, right?"
Gee, this issue is causing a lot of first time posters.
To those that argue children should stay to the sidewalk in front of their own buildings, please note the OP mentioned the child was doing it in front of "our" building. Indicating the child was chalking in front the the family's building that the OP shares with them.
Well, I agree that kids shouldn't do this in front of other peoples homes, that is rude. But, if the kid was doing it in front of their house, then it's ok
so far we have brand new posters Rupaul and Narcoloeptic Abe joining us!
Marty would be proud.
There was a recent Wall Street Journal article saying that one of the causes of the sub-prime mortgage crisis was millions of kids drawing with chalk in front of homes across the nation, lowering property values and causing the recession.
I figured I weigh onto this topic especially since it hits home on so many fronts. I am a home owner and I am of the sort that justifably believes that the sidewalk in front of my home belongs to me. Sure the sidewalk in front of my home technically does not belong to me. Hell, I have no bill of sale for that patch of ground but the city sure as hell believes it does belong to me especially when they fine me for any little piece of refuse found on that patch of ground.Year in and year out the weather gets warm and the children from neighboring homes come out and play on the sidewalk. Hell, I used to do it back when I was a child. i engaged in skellies and marbles on the street and sidewalk but my parents always taught me to clean up after myself. Fast forward to today and you have a different sort of child rearing technique being used. Some of these children find it within their hearts to use those chalks and draw enormous portraits of gibberish. Yes I said gibberish. Some go beyond their designated canvass area and even have decided to paint on my stoop and my patch of ground. Sure it is removable with a hose and water but why should I clean up this mess? Why are the parents of these children not stepping up to clean after the messes created by their spawn? As you can tell from my diatribe I am not a champion of the sidewalk chalk artist and if matter were left to me I would hose the very children into teh gutter along with the colorful stains they leave behind.
This is my 2 cents.
but every 20 minutes a dog pees on you gate and you are ok with that.......
QuantumSilence said:
I figured I weigh onto this topic especially since it hits home on so many fronts. I am a home owner and I am of the sort that justifably believes that the sidewalk in front of my home belongs to me. Sure the sidewalk in front of my home technically does not belong to me. Hell, I have no bill of sale for that patch of ground but the city sure as hell believes it does belong to me especially when they fine me for any little piece of refuse found on that patch of ground.Year in and year out the weather gets warm and the children from neighboring homes come out and play on the sidewalk. Hell, I used to do it back when I was a child. i engaged in skellies and marbles on the street and sidewalk but my parents always taught me to clean up after myself. Fast forward to today and you have a different sort of child rearing technique being used. Some of these children find it within their hearts to use those chalks and draw enormous portraits of gibberish. Yes I said gibberish. Some go beyond their designated canvass area and even have decided to paint on my stoop and my patch of ground. Sure it is removable with a hose and water but why should I clean up this mess? Why are the parents of these children not stepping up to clean after the messes created by their spawn? As you can tell from my diatribe I am not a champion of the sidewalk chalk artist and if matter were left to me I would hose the very children into teh gutter along with the colorful stains they leave behind.
This is my 2 cents.
whynot_31 said:
so far we have brand new posters Rupaul and Narcoloeptic Abe joining us!Marty would be proud.
west1440, DownwardPuppy, TruthandBeauty, Stretchy, RupaulRox, NarcolepticAbe, QuantumSilence
Puck-
You are showing yourself to be a bored, board genius. I like it.
i agree with LTSloper.
WSmith, you already got your "yeap" before, why keep on jumping to another different subject? We are talking about kids and their chalk graffiti, wanna give us your piece of mind on that?
ringrunner said:
I am so glad you did did not scold my child for using sidewalk chalk on the sidewalk. It would have ended in me being arrested.
Yeah, great example for your kids.
As long as they weren't drawing offensive pictures or writing derogatory things whats the problem? The rain will wash it away. You actually scolded a parent for letting their kid be a kid, you are going to be the laughing stock of your neighborhood, calm the frak down.
The only time I dared to scold a parent for how their children were acting was some stoner dad who was letting one of his children (there were 4 all under 10yrs old) repeatedly kick the metal gate in front of our home while he stood there and hit one of the other kids for trying to run away from him (cant think why). I told him to control his kid (the kicking one) to which he replied to MYOB to which I replied it was my business as it was my property and for him to move along with them which he did.
But to scold a parent for this???? The Grinch ain't got nothing on you.
Why is it too much to ask to have your child do this kind of stuff on your OWN property?! Why is it that the people in this neighborhood have no common sense or common courtesy? And don't give me this bull that the rain will wash it away. Maybe I should squirt mustard all over your car and say don't worry the rain will wash it away!
Mustard would stain the car ruining the paint job the sidewalk will recover on its own. A car is property and the sidewalk is not - do you want more reasons why your point is invalid? If the kid tripped you or was in your way maybe maybe then you have a point otherwise you are just being a grouch. As Halloween is coming up I'm sure the kids will remember you with fondness.
This thread is a prime candidate for White Whine
Slopeduder-
White Whine and Puckbrooklyn both appear to be on to something.
Alana said:
Mustard would stain the car ruining the paint job the sidewalk will recover on its own. A car is property and the sidewalk is not
Exactly.
I hope the kids become as good as these folks. They do their sidewalk art on public sidewalks throughout the world
I love the lobster about to eat the baby
This fish is also cool
Have you tried to draw anything legible with sidewalk chalk lately? It's really hard. The colors are all too similar to get any kind of contrast so there goes any kind of shading/shadows. Depending on the grade of the sidewalk/street it's often too bumpy to get a clear line.
I have not drawn on the sidewalk in quite sometime.
...but even when I drew more often, I never advanced past drawing hopscotch squares.
[/quote]Sure it is removable with a hose and water but why should I clean up this mess?[quote]
You shouldn't. After a few days and the first moderately heavy rain the chalk is gone. Today's drizzle should handle the erasing duties.
I hope no other blogs pick on this thread because not matter which side you fall on you all sound like douchecocks. Big, idiot, douchecocks.
DR » Today's drizzle should handle the erasing duties.
DR-
I think this is the first time I have heard you use the word drizzle in a way that is not necessarily sexual.
I could be mistaken but I thought that you owned the property to the curb, but that there is a right of way from the curb to the front fence/stoop line. That's why the city makes you clear the snow and repair the sidewalk.
QuantumSilence said:
I figured I weigh onto this topic especially since it hits home on so many fronts. I am a home owner and I am of the sort that justifably believes that the sidewalk in front of my home belongs to me. Sure the sidewalk in front of my home technically does not belong to me. Hell, I have no bill of sale for that patch of ground but the city sure as hell believes it does belong to me especially when they fine me for any little piece of refuse found on that patch of ground.Year in and year out the weather gets warm and the children from neighboring homes come out and play on the sidewalk. Hell, I used to do it back when I was a child. i engaged in skellies and marbles on the street and sidewalk but my parents always taught me to clean up after myself. Fast forward to today and you have a different sort of child rearing technique being used. Some of these children find it within their hearts to use those chalks and draw enormous portraits of gibberish. Yes I said gibberish. Some go beyond their designated canvass area and even have decided to paint on my stoop and my patch of ground. Sure it is removable with a hose and water but why should I clean up this mess? Why are the parents of these children not stepping up to clean after the messes created by their spawn? As you can tell from my diatribe I am not a champion of the sidewalk chalk artist and if matter were left to me I would hose the very children into teh gutter along with the colorful stains they leave behind.
This is my 2 cents.
DR-
I think this is the first time I have heard you use the word drizzle in a way that is not necessarily sexual.
Sorry... all this talk just made me drizzle in my pants a little bit.
Dance Rehearsal said:
DR-
I think this is the first time I have heard you use the word drizzle in a way that is not necessarily sexual.Sorry... all this talk just made me drizzle in my pants a little bit.
It is rare when such things get easier with age.
Well Alana, you can't seem to answer the question as to why the parents of these kids don't keep this type of stuff on their own property! Every week I'm out there picking weeks in my landscaping, sweeping my areaway and sidewalk, making my house look beautiful and then you feel its necessary and ok to have YOUR kids scribbling chalk directly in front my MY property. Your ignorance is so typical for this neighborhood.
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