Sometimes you find yourself in sitting in the passenger seat. Maybe you’re taking an Uber to the airport. Maybe your car is getting some repair work done and you’re riding with a colleague to a business meeting. Or maybe you’re hitting the road with friends for a much-deserved weekend getaway. Whatever your reason is, you have a different set of etiquettes to observe.
These are the 7 basic etiquettes for those times when we find ourselves in the passenger’s seat:
1. Buckle up.
This should be an automatic gesture. Don’t wait for the driver to tell you, even if the driver happens to be your mom!
2. Refrain from doing anything that distracts the driver.
Check yourself with that funny meme or awe-inspiring quote someone just sent you. Neither is worth distracting the driver into a dangerous situation. Rather, help the driver keep their eyes on the road. Generally, refrain from doing anything that will distract the driver.
3. Stop yourself from being a backseat driver.
Chances are you wouldn’t particularly enjoy listening to a backseat driver if you were behind the wheel yourself! On one level, it’s a simple case of not doing unto others . . .
4. Close the door properly.
Slamming the door when you get out is rude, especially when you’re in an Uber, a taxi, or a stranger’s car. Uber drivers will likely give you lower star ratings if you do this, regardless of whether it’s simply by habit or because you got into an argument and you were very annoyed by the time you arrived at your destination. While you may get some leeway with friends and family, it’s just best not to make a habit of slamming car doors when you get out.
5. Clean the windshield at fuel stops.
Offering to scrub and squeegee the windshield if it got spattered with bugs, tree sap, mud, etc., is simply the polite thing to do. Besides, it’s not a task that requires maximum elbow grease—if anything, it’s quick work, and most likely, it will not be any less appreciated by the driver.
6. Avoid bumping the manual-transmission lever.
If you’re sitting in front in a manual transmission car, keep your knees, elbows, hands—or anything you’re holding for that matter—as far away as possible from the lever. An accidentally bump could put the transmission out of gear, potentially causing damage to the powertrain, and maybe even resulting in an accident.
7. Pick up after yourself.
If you eat a snack or a meal in the car, first of all, try your very best not to drop food crumbs on the seat and the floor. To do this, you can spread paper towels on your lap or choose food that you can pop into your mouth one bite-size piece at a time. Then when you’re done, make sure to wrap everything up, ready to throw into the first thrash bin you can find.
Be the kind of passenger you yourself wouldn’t mind having in your car from time to time. Being considerate can go a long way in establishing goodwill, especially if the driver is going out of their way to help you out.
If you’re catching rides from friends because of car trouble and your warranty is running out soon, check out EverCare Protection’s vehicle service contract plans. We may have something that you feel was designed specifically for you!