I drive a lot, and depending on my mood, I sometimes take a different route that I wouldn't normally take. A few reasons for this would be: I need a change of scenery, I take a longer route but with fewer stops and traffic lights to reduce stress, I'm curious to see where it leads.
This is all fine and dandy if I'm driving alone, but if there is someone else with me they will lose their mind.
We all have patterns we follow, and have our own specific ways we get somewhere. When those routes change people start to get upset.
Have you ever been driving with your parents, or wife or even just friends, they sit in the passenger seat and ask you why you are going this way? Then they will inform you of another way that is much faster.
After a while they really start to get perturbed with you and get a bit of anger wavering in their voice. This is just the beginning of a side seat driver. It gets much worse
The side seat driver will not only tell you that you are going in the wrong direction, they will start to point out all your flaws, and driving violations. You are going faster than the posted speed limit, you didn't come to a complete stop, that person has the right of way, you didn't signal early enough.
Ever want to drop kick the person sitting to the side of you pointing out all your mistakes? I have. Many times.
Here is the real issue I have with this. This side seat driver is a PASSENGER that I am doing a FAVOR for or just being NICE. Sit back, enjoy your Slurpee, coffee, bagel, cigarette and RELAX! We will get to our destination all in good time, you know what doesn't help? Nagging me the whole way, putting undo stress on the driver of a steel and plastic missile that you are riding in.
Realize that we all drive differently and that there is no such thing as the perfect driver. We all make mistakes. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Scott Goerz
