Calling shotgun, the act of reserving the front passenger seat ahead of a road trip, is not as simple as shouting out a phrase. There’s a set of rules for this practice – and woe to anybody that ignores them.

The rules do not complicate the practice but ensure that every person involved has a fair chance of getting the prized seat in the car. They also punish those that don’t respect the prestige and responsibilities of this position.

The basics:

You must loudly and clearly utter the phrase "Shotgun" or "I call shotgun". Either form is acceptable as long as you can be clearly heard by the people you are travelling with.

Calling can only be done after the decision is made to take a trip and the destination is agreed upon (Hereafter known as "The Decision"). You cannot call shotgun today for a trip you might make tomorrow. If you do, all those involved may label you a fat loser and oust you from holding the position.

Also, the call can only be made once you have left the building in which the decision was made. This can be done even if all passengers have not yet left the building. Experts say it is best not to wait until everybody has left the building before you call, as this often results in disputes and ends in physical violence.

The big outdoors

If you have been outdoor for some time, say at a braai or hike, when The Decision takes place, you must be within sight of the vehicle before you can call.

You may not call if you are barefooted and may not take a pair of shoes with you to put on after you have called. This ensures that only passengers that are in a ready state to travel get to quibble over the seat.

If there is more than one vehicle involved in the trip, you must make the call, immediately followed by the driver's name. EG: "Shotgun Rob" or "I call shotgun with Rob". Both are acceptable.

Do’s and don’ts

If a passenger is seated in the shotgun position before the call is made, they get to keep the spot. The same applies for anyone who has their hand on the shotgun door handle. These two acts make any further calls redundant.

However, if the person holding shotgun exits the vehicle to enter, or re-enter, a building, the position is now null and void and is fair game to anybody who calls.

The addendum to this rule is that if the person holding shotgun waits until all other passengers have exited the vehicle and completed their tasks, they then retain the position, even if they then exit the vehicle for a short time.

Disputes

Any disputes regarding the rules of shotgun and calling cannot be solved with violence, however tempting that may be. Instead, a game of rock, paper, scissors will decide the victor.

This rule applies to any dispute linked to calling and holding the prized seat.

Forgotten already?

The keeper of the rules is The official shotgun rules. Their website will guide you through the finer etiquette of this time-honoured tradition.

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