POLL: Calling Shotgun in a car?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My opinion on calling shotgun is that you have to be able to see the car to call it; and you have to call it directly before getting in the car (i.e: you can’t see the car a day before a road trip, call it, and then go on and expect to have it the next day).

Some people agree with me, some don’t.

What do you think?

2

Our rule is that shotgun can only be called As We Leave To Go. The car does not have to necessarily be in sight.

The driver is the final authority on who called shotgun first.

3

My first post in months, and it’s on this subject? Well, here goes.

“Shotgun” must be called when all parties riding are present and able to hear your voice, the driver agrees, and the car is close enough that you can out-run anyone who might make a dash for it. :slight_smile: Of course, all rules are null and void if the driver’s SO is there; they get shotgun automatically. At least, that’s how it’ always been with my circle of friends. YMMV.

-Dirty

4

Once the trip has been agreed upon, shotgun can be called, in my house. You don’t have to be in sight of the car and only the driver and the shotgun caller have to be present. Tough noogies if anyone objects 'cause they weren’t there to call it. :wink:

5

Earthworm is right on target.

However, if people are being driven home, whoever gets taken home first gets shotgun, then the next person gets it when they get out, and so on and so forth.

If everyone gets out of the car for more than 15 minutes or so, shotgun gets changed.

If someone tries to take shotgun when it is rightfully someone else’s, they will be bodily pulled from the car and dumped onto the pavement.

6

It all depends on who’s driving.

When I’m with my friend, Tim, the girl always gets shotgun, no matter what.

If I’m cruising with my friend, Lauren, the front seat goes to whoever yells ‘Shotty Bo-Botty!’ first.

It all depends.

7

Well here are the rules

8

The only rule is that if, in the course of arguing about who called shotgun first, you piss me off, all you little brats are riding in back. And shutting up.

9

You have to be outside to call shotgun, but the car doesn’t have to be in sight and not everyone needs to be outside. As long as at least one other person hears you, it’s valid. Like Dirty Earthworm said though, shotgun automatically goes to the driver’s SO if present.

10

The rule in my car is as follow: Whoever’s taller gets the front seat, unless The Cody is with me. See, I drive a little Saturn SL2, and there is not much leg room in the back. I had to sit back there when it was my mom’s car, and no fun was had.

Or, if I don’t feel like explaining the rules, I tell my passengers to fight to the death. Winner gets shotgun.

11

Nobody else does “Oh no, you do I insist!” back and forth until two people seize the initiative and get in the back seat?

Just my grandparents then. And they don’t call it “shotgun” either (though no-one else here does either).

12

I gotta respectfully disagree with you here. The person being dropped off last has automatic shotgun. This prevents “Chinese Fire Drills” from occurring at every stop.

13

One of my friends is an enormous guy, so he gets shotgun on all outings where he’s there. Assuming he’s not there, we have some sort of wierd pecking order worked out, based upon whomever has the closest realtionship to the driver, with the exception of our one friend who doesn’t have a liscence, who does not get shotgun because she can never take a turn as chauffer/DD (before you call me heartless, bear in mind that we’re adults and the only reason she doesn’t drive is she never got around to it).

The real problem emerges when there’s five of us, which leads to much screaming and yelling of “Not Bitch” (the middle seat).

14

I think that the rules as pointed to by Rick seem pretty definitive. I’d go with them.

15

I like Earthworm’s rules.

I spent high school hanging out with four enormous guys whose main transportation was a K-car. I am pretty tall but I always ended up in the middle of the back seat, squished between the broad shoulders of two stinky teenaged boys. They did not follow the Shotgun rules. I am still bitter.

16

Winner?

Do all of you realize this seat is also known as : the suicide seat?

17

Eck sellent.

You can get their rulebook in a handy glovebox-sized edition for five bucks. I might just pick me up a few of those.

18

hehe, thanks for the link. funny stuff. I ordered one of the books too.

19

Section I
The Basic Rules

  1. In order to call Shotgun, the caller must pronounce the word “Shotgun” in a clear voice. This call must be heard and acknowledged by the driver. The other occupants of the vehicle need not hear the call as long as the driver verifies the call.
  2. Shotgun may only be called if all occupants of the vehicle are outside and on the way to said vehicle.
  3. Early calls are strictly prohibited. Shotgun may only be called while walking toward the vehicle and only applies to the drive immediately forthcoming. Shotgun can never be called while inside a vehicle or still technically on the way to the first location. For example, one can not get out of a vehicle and call Shotgun for the return journey.
  4. The driver has final say in all ties and disputes. The driver has the right to suspend or remove all shotgun privileges from one or more persons.

Section II
Special Cases
These special exceptions to the rules above should be considered in the order presented; the case listed first will take precedence over any of the cases beneath it, when applicable.

  1. In the instance that the normal driver of a vehicle is drunk or otherwise unable to perform their duties as driver, then he/she is automatically given Shotgun.
  2. If the instance that the person who actually owns the vehicle is not driving, then he/she is automatically given Shotgun, unless they decline.
  3. In the instance that the driver’s spouse, lover, partner, or hired prostitute for the evening is going to accompany the group, he/she is automatically given Shotgun, unless they decline.
  4. In the instance that one of the passengers may become so ill during the course of the journey that the other occupants feel he/she will toss their cookies, then the ill person should be given Shotgun to make appropriate use of the window.
  5. In the instance that only one person knows how to get to a given location and this person is not the driver, then as the designated navigator for the group they automatically get Shotgun, unless they decline.
  6. In the instance that one of the occupants is too wide or tall to fit comfortably in the back seat, then the driver may show mercy and award Shotgun to the genetic misfit. Alternatively, the driver and other passengers may continually taunt the poor fellow as they make a three-hour trip with him crammed in the back.

Section III
*The Survival of the Fittest Rules *

  1. If the driver so wishes, he/she may institute the Survival of the Fittest Rules on the process of calling Shotgun. In this case all rules, excepting I-4, are suspended and the passenger seat is occupied by whoever can take it by force.
  2. The driver must announce the institution of the Survival of the Fittest Rules with reasonable warning to all passengers. This clause reduces the amount of blood lost by passengers and the damage done to the vehicle. Please follow the above rules to the best of your ability. If there are any arguments or exceptions not covered in these rules, please refer to rule I-4.
20

That’s a truly funny link.

But fellas, remind me just to get my ass in the backseat when I ride with you. This is just TOO MUCH WORK for me.

You want the damn seat so bad? You got it!