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| In the ], there is a longstanding tradition of determining who gets to sit in the seat next to the driver of a motor vehicle. In order to claim that seat, one must "call shotgun" according to a set of standard rules. | In the ], there is a longstanding tradition of determining who gets to sit in the seat next to the driver of a motor vehicle. In order to claim that seat, one must "call shotgun" according to a set of standard rules. | ||
| The purpose of the tradition, and the rules surrounding it, are to reduce conflict. In American culture, which is generally notably lacking in the formal social graces, breaking shotgun rules is nonetheless considered a grave faux pas. Most people consider the legitimate shotgun call to be sacrosanct. | |||
| To call shotgun is to, at minimum, yell out "shotgun" while approaching the vehicle. The specific rules are the subject of much heated but good natured debate. A number of websites claim to have the official rules, but <i>clearly</i> only a free and open consensus site such as Misplaced Pages has the moral and intellectual <i>right</i> to make that claim. | To call shotgun is to, at minimum, yell out "shotgun" while approaching the vehicle. The specific rules are the subject of much heated but good natured debate. A number of websites claim to have the official rules, but <i>clearly</i> only a free and open consensus site such as Misplaced Pages has the moral and intellectual <i>right</i> to make that claim. | ||
| Therefore, by the powers vested in Misplaced Pages by the ], the following rules are hereby decreed: | Therefore, by the powers vested in Misplaced Pages by the ], the following rules are hereby decreed: | ||
| *Shotgun may not be called until all parties are outdoors and within sight of the vehicle | |||
| *Shotgun must be called loudly and distinctly. | |||
| *In the event of disputes, the driver is the final authority, though duty-bound to obey the customs of shotgun. | |||
| The following rules are questionable, and some actually illustrate the social chaos that would result from a lack of shotgun rules: | |||
| *the person nearest to the front passenger side door gets shotgun | *the person nearest to the front passenger side door gets shotgun | ||
| *Same as above except when someone bigger can push them out of the way | *Same as above except when someone bigger can push them out of the way | ||
Revision as of 00:38, 28 March 2001
In the US, there is a longstanding tradition of determining who gets to sit in the seat next to the driver of a motor vehicle. In order to claim that seat, one must "call shotgun" according to a set of standard rules.
The purpose of the tradition, and the rules surrounding it, are to reduce conflict. In American culture, which is generally notably lacking in the formal social graces, breaking shotgun rules is nonetheless considered a grave faux pas. Most people consider the legitimate shotgun call to be sacrosanct.
To call shotgun is to, at minimum, yell out "shotgun" while approaching the vehicle. The specific rules are the subject of much heated but good natured debate. A number of websites claim to have the official rules, but clearly only a free and open consensus site such as Misplaced Pages has the moral and intellectual right to make that claim.
Therefore, by the powers vested in Misplaced Pages by the present King of France, the following rules are hereby decreed:
- Shotgun may not be called until all parties are outdoors and within sight of the vehicle
- Shotgun must be called loudly and distinctly.
- In the event of disputes, the driver is the final authority, though duty-bound to obey the customs of shotgun.
The following rules are questionable, and some actually illustrate the social chaos that would result from a lack of shotgun rules:
- the person nearest to the front passenger side door gets shotgun
- Same as above except when someone bigger can push them out of the way
- the only one allowed to carry the shotgun
- the person that is most accurate in hitting roadsigns at 40 mph or faster
- the person that can create the complete works of Shakespeare in Braile given enough roadsigns)