# Do you have car rules? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430 "2012-02-01T16:21:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/41 "2012-02-01T20:19:11Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Do you have a reason to post in this thread other than the threadshitting? Do you have a reason to care? Honestly, I’m posting because I find the idea of “car rules” ludicrous and anal-retentive. I am expressing my opinion. I am not obligated to agree with yours. You may disagree with my disagreement. It’s a free internet. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/42 "2012-02-01T20:19:44Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Oh, and no Country Music shall be played in the car. Cause that shit is just wrong. This cracked me up! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/43 "2012-02-01T20:19:59Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Do you have a reason to care? Yeah - you’re irritating me in a fun discussion. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/44 "2012-02-01T20:23:19Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > :rolleyes: Good lord. Got no car that makes you happy? That’s sad. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/45 "2012-02-01T20:23:51Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Yeah - you’re irritating me in a fun discussion. 🙂 Oof. One person’s fun is another person’s glimpse into obsessive-compulsive hell, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/46 "2012-02-01T20:24:23Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Oh, and no Country Music shall be played in the car. Cause that shit is just wrong. I make an exception to that rule for [The Ballad of Jed Clampett](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_XAPku7SgE) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/47 "2012-02-01T20:25:11Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > My husband dripped frosting on the seat between his legs !!! :eek: What were you \*doing \*to him at the time? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/48 "2012-02-01T20:25:22Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Got no car that makes you happy? That’s sad. On the contrary. I have a car I like very much. What’s that got to do with being a overly-controlling “minemineMINE!” freak? ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/49 "2012-02-01T20:30:06Z")
The only rule I had, and that I really enforced was the shotgun seat rule. My two kids fought passionately over “who gets to sit in front.” And while they couldn’t remember how to pick up their dirty socks from the living room floor, or remember how to empty the dishwasher, by God they could remember with exquisite detail who last sat in front. It took some tricky reasoning to come up with something equitable, otherwise, we’d probably still be standing in the driveway today, while they argued it out. Daughter’s birthdate is the 26th: 2 + 6 = 8 =\> EVENS Son’s birthdate is the 16th: 1 + 6 = 7 =\> ODDS I then merely had to ask whether today’s date is EVENS or ODDS. As my son got older, he became slightly displeased with the fact that there are apparently more even days on the calendar than odd ones. Or so it seemed to him. But since we didn’t ride in the car EVERY single day of the week, I told him it all balanced out in the end. My daughter just turned 29, my son is now 26. To this DAY, if the EVENS/ODDS rule is mentioned, they’ll start arguing all over again! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/50 "2012-02-01T20:37:28Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > What were you \*doing \*to him at the time? Yanno, I was expecting a comment on this, but I would never have guessed you’d be the commenter… You could have at least harrumphed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/51 "2012-02-01T20:37:43Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > The only rule I had, and that I really enforced was the shotgun seat rule. > > My two kids fought passionately over “who gets to sit in front.” And while they couldn’t remember how to pick up their dirty socks from the living room floor, or remember how to empty the dishwasher, by God they could remember with exquisite detail who last sat in front. > > It took some tricky reasoning to come up with something equitable, otherwise, we’d probably still be standing in the driveway today, while they argued it out. > > Daughter’s birthdate is the 26th: 2 + 6 = 8 =\> EVENS > > Son’s birthdate is the 16th: 1 + 6 = 7 =\> ODDS > > I then merely had to ask whether today’s date is EVENS or ODDS. As my son got older, he became slightly displeased with the fact that there are apparently more even days on the calendar than odd ones. Or so it seemed to him. But since we didn’t ride in the car EVERY single day of the week, I told him it all balanced out in the end. > > My daughter just turned 29, my son is now 26. To this DAY, if the EVENS/ODDS rule is mentioned, they’ll start arguing all over again! > ~VOW What the heck is it with kids? Mine argued all the time over this too. “She had it last; I get it this time right?” Me: “I’m not going to fight your battles for you. You two decide between you or I’m not leaving. Your choice.” My (almost) 13 year old son capitulates to his older 14 year old sister pretty much all the time now, since he’s come to realize it really doesn’t matter. Kids. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/52 "2012-02-01T20:42:41Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Yanno, I was expecting a comment on this, but I would never have guessed you’d be the commenter… You could have at least harrumphed. 😉 Well, I did clutch my pearls and go, “Well, I _never!_” but I guess you couldn’t see that. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/53 "2012-02-01T20:43:49Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > On the contrary. I have a car I like very much. What’s that got to do with being a overly-controlling “minemineMINE!” freak? Well you could have just said that I was a overly-controling “minemineMINE” freak and the communication would have been more clear than just another thread shitting ‘roll eyes’. I hope you have a nice day in whatever you drive. But, damn, people were trying to have a little fun in here. I guess we can all walk home now. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/54 "2012-02-01T21:06:07Z")
Rules for my car are: No eating. Sometimes I make an exception for non-messy food. No dirty clothes. No leaving stuff behind. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/55 "2012-02-01T21:09:51Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Well, I did clutch my pearls and go, “Well, I _never!_” but I guess you couldn’t see that. For the record, he had gotten some cinna-minis from Burger King - mini cinnamon rolls that you dip into icing - and he dripped some of the dipped while driving. Nothing like white sugar icing on black upholstery… ---
**Author:** ![randomface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@randomface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randomface)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/56 "2012-02-01T21:23:52Z")
The rules: Unless I need a nap, I drive. Driver controls the A/C. Driver controls the radio. Shotgun has the responsibility to make phone calls, navigate, etc. If you want to eat, take the trash out with you. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/57 "2012-02-01T21:51:33Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > The only rule I had, and that I really enforced was the shotgun seat rule. > > My two kids fought passionately over “who gets to sit in front.” And while they couldn’t remember how to pick up their dirty socks from the living room floor, or remember how to empty the dishwasher, by God they could remember with exquisite detail who last sat in front. > > It took some tricky reasoning to come up with something equitable, otherwise, we’d probably still be standing in the driveway today, while they argued it out. > > Daughter’s birthdate is the 26th: 2 + 6 = 8 =\> EVENS > > Son’s birthdate is the 16th: 1 + 6 = 7 =\> ODDS > > I then merely had to ask whether today’s date is EVENS or ODDS. As my son got older, he became slightly displeased with the fact that there are apparently more even days on the calendar than odd ones. Or so it seemed to him. But since we didn’t ride in the car EVERY single day of the week, I told him it all balanced out in the end. > > My daughter just turned 29, my son is now 26. To this DAY, if the EVENS/ODDS rule is mentioned, they’ll start arguing all over again! > ~VOW Man, I gotta remember this for if/when I have kids. My brother and I never fought over the front seat because while we argued about pretty much everything else, for some reason he had this strong sense that riding shotgun was just one of those Older Sibling Privileges and thus I always got the front seat with no discussion (still do, in fact). But this seems uncommon. My rules: Everyone must have their seatbelt buckled before the car comes out of park. If the weather is bad or the traffic conditions are tricky, shut up and let me concentrate or I will tell you to shut up and I won’t be nice about it. Person riding shotgun is expected to provide assistance as needed with navigation and retrieving items inside the car. Climate control is flexible within my range of comfort. I don’t really care about the radio but it better not be too loud and it better not be politics. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/58 "2012-02-01T21:55:56Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Me: “I’m not going to fight your battles for you. You two decide between you or I’m not leaving. Your choice.” Oh, that method would NOT have worked with mine. They’d still be in the driveway, and both would be half dead and bloodied, but the argument would still be active. I needed a method that was INSTANT. The nastiest fights were when we had to leave RIGHTTHISMINUTEDAMMIT. And the EVENS and ODDS, while not perfect, made the world a little more peaceful. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/59 "2012-02-01T21:59:39Z")
I don’t get the “driver controls the radio” stuff. Does that always apply? Why? Surely a journey is a shared trip, not an exercise in power? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430/60 "2012-02-01T22:10:16Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I don’t get the “driver controls the radio” stuff. Does that always apply? Why? Surely a journey is a shared trip, not an exercise in power? Sure, if they share in paying for the car and gas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-car-rules/611430.md?page=4)