Prior to a conversation with friends last night, I was not aware that there were rules to shotgun. This made me curious to what they were so I did a google search.
The front seat of a passenger vehicle, next to the driver, is called the shotgun in an apparent, though disputable, reference to men who rode on
stage coaches next to the driver with a
shotgun to protect the stage from
banditos (
highwaymen), literally "riding shotgun." No use of the term is recorded during the actual years during which stage coaches were in use; the first known reference to "riding shotgun" in print occurred on
27 March 1921, and the first use of the phrase in print to refer to automobiles occurred in
1954 when the TV series
Gunsmoke became extremely popular, and used the terminology of riding shotgun nearly weekly).
[1]In contemporary tradition, in order to claim that seat, one must "call shotgun" according to a set of standard rules. Today, many passengers consider the front passenger seat to be preferable to riding in rear seats due largely to greater control over leg room, an unobstructed view out the
windshield, and better access to the vehicle's
stereo and
air conditioning system. In the
United States and some other English-speaking regions, there is a longstanding tradition — especially among teenagers and young adults — of trying to get to sit in the seat next to the driver of a motor
vehicle.
To call shotgun is to, at minimum, yell out "shotgun" while approaching the vehicle. Depending on the situation and group, rules may also be enforced in order for the call to be valid. However, in most cases this is not necessary by virtue of calling "shotgun" in the first place. In some groups, yelling "shotty" or "gunshot" are also acceptable and equivalent. The specific rules are the subject of much heated but good-natured debate, and a number of websites claim to have the official rules.
"Calling shotgun" is also done in situations other than driving a vehicle in which order is important. For example, when playing a
console game, it is typical for the loser of the round to give up his controller; the next person to play is the one who called shotgun.
In certain regions the term is called "next".
THE ABOVE CONTENT THANKS TO WIKIPEDIA
Now for the rules...
1. The first person to yell 'Shotgun!' gets to ride in the passenger seat.
2. The word 'shotgun' must be loud enough to be heard by at least one witness. If no witness is to be found, or in case of a tie, the driver has the final word. After all, it is most likely his car. (note: if it isn't his car, and the owner is present, the owner's decision is final.
3. Early calls are strictly prohibited. All occupants of the vehicle (including the driver) must be outside of the building and directly on the way to the vehicle before shotgun may be called. Under no circumstances may a person call shotgun inside a building. For sake of simplicity, a garage is considered to be outside. Parking structures and detached garages are always considered as being outdoors, even if they are underground.
4. The person calling 'shotgun' must be within sight of the car in which he/she will be travelling. (the line of sight rule)
5. A person may only call shotgun for one way of a trip. 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.
7. One is allowed to ride shotgun as many times as he can call it, but for himself only. No one can call shotgun for their slower friend, unless the friend has a speech or mental handicap that prevents them from calling it for themselves.
8. 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.
9. Variations of the word 'shotgun' which are allowed include 'shot' and 'topshop' (ask jen). Variations which are not allowed are 'i'm in the front' (ask jo)
Special CasesThese 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. If the person who owns the car is not the driver, he/she is automatically given shotgun and section 8 from above applies to them and not the driver.
2. In the instance the driver's spouse, or partner is going to accompany the group, he/she is automatically given Shotgun, unless they decline.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Survival of the Fittest Rules1. 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 1.8, 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.
3. 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 8 in the first section.
Hope these are extensive enough to cover any arguments. If not, I don't know what I could do to help, perhaps refer you to a psychiatrist for taking things too seriously??
