October 27, 2004

Shotgun. Haven't had a car in awhile, but this really brought back some memories...

Disclaimer: I was not the author of this article, nor do I actively condone the below message. Unfortunately, I cannot remove this section from this otherwise pleasant stroll down memory lane (for me), and I feel that it does not overtly detract from the overall experience. As such, if you are offended by this: Amendment XXII: Chinese Sneak Attack Please read this: "Let me please give you most sincere, humble apology to all my Honorable Numba one Monkey-sans!"

  • 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. This one's key. It annoys me when people don't know this particular rule of the Shotgun calling.
  • I've always maintained that you must be outside and in sight of the vehicle.
  • I always play so that the vehicle has to be within sight before shotgun can be called. This makes for some interesting jockying for position on the way. On preview, rocket beat me to it.
  • Additionally, if the car is moving at a speed above 15 M.P.H. (24 km/h) the passenger riding shotgun may decline to do so. This must be the new kinder, gentler, more sensitive shotgun rules. or maybe they were just really, really mean to me
  • You have to be willing to race the person to the car, so you certainly don't want to call too early.
  • As someone who grew up in suburban Toronto without a driver's license, I know all these rules almost by heart, though I've never read them. I do agree with rocket et al. that you must be within sight of the car - this is especially important if you're coming from somewhere already outside (like a park) since it establishes a clear space for the shotgun call. And truly nothing's sweeter in life then being beat to shotgun by someone who walks towards the wrong car, thereby invalidating their call, and then calling it out for yourself and claiming sweet, sweet, knob-controlling victory. And I've only won maybe two of ten or so survival-of-the-fittest shotguns. Those are hell, and even when you win, the enmity created just isn't worth it.
  • Hee, hee. I got the keys to the pickup, and cowboy rulez say the guy in the center seat doesn't have to move. So ya'll that get the passenger seat have to open the bob'ware gate.