Viewers discuss the meaning of the episode title "The Alternate Side," with explanation that it refers to NYC's alternate side of street parking regulations that require moving cars on specific days.
OK, I have seen this episode a # of times. But I can't figure out what the title means. I have a few guesses, but they're probably wrong. Anyone know?...
Jason [email]
"You know how to get the reservation...you just don't know how to HOLD the reservation. And that's really the most important part. Anybody can just take them......"
In NYC, there is something called "Alternate Side Of The Street Parking." This means that it is illegal (a parking ticket offense and possible towing) to park on one side of the street on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and on the other side Tuesdays and Thursdays. The ostensible reason for this is so that the street cleaners can clean each side of the street every day; the real reason is to generate parking ticket/towing revenues for the NYC government.
Sid's job, which George did incompetently while Sid was away, was to move the cars for their owners from one side of the street to the other every day, so the owners could avoid being ticketed and/or towed. Hence the title, "The Alternate Side."
Although I no longer live in New York, I remember how my mother used to curse having to "move the car" every night. It is one of the most loathed aspects of living in NY, and certainly one of the most frustrating laws.
This was actually a very good question, since it points out one of the unique NYC idioms used in SEINFELD that viewers in other parts of the country would have no way of knowing. It really shows how much a "New York" show SEINFELD is (was), and how unusual it is that it became such a universally appealing show.
Lee Salem wrote in message ...
Actually, you can park anywhere on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the rules are in effect the other four days. The rule is in effect in most areas of four boroughs.
What about not being able to make a right turn on red?
I never saw this as a problem, but then again, I've lived in NY my whole life.
On 2 Jan 1998 04:04:57 GMT, [email] (Jasdeen) wrote:
There is no episode named The Alternate Side....which one are you reffering to exactly??
It's the 28th episode in the 3rd season. Jerry gets his car stolen, Kramer gets in the Woody Allen movie. "These pretzels are making me thirsty!" It was on a couple of nights ago in syndication. Ring a bell now?
It was called 'The Alternate Side' because George took over Sid's job of moving cars to the other (or alternate) side of the street so they wouldn't get ticketed for being illegally parked. (It's a law in some cities, don't ask)
Oh, ok that was one of my theories. Thanks to everyone who helped me out with the answer, for I have never lived or visited NYC.
...not that there's anything wrong with that........