Breaking Down "Shot-Gun" Etiquette

Katie Panara
Business Manager

Dashing for the passenger’s side of the car, we have all at one point participated in the age-old competition of calling “Shotgun.”

This dog-eat-dog game often results in various disputes over the winner of the ultimate prize: the front passenger’s seat of the car.

Many may wonder where the ancient tradition originated. Surprisingly enough, the game of “Shotgun” started in the days of covered wagons and the Wild West.

While adventuring out into the great western plains the wagon driver needed one of his passengers to sit beside him and watch for wild animals and bandits along the way.

This individual would hold a shotgun with them for protection. The “shotgun” rider had the best view and also got one-on-one time with the driver.

This seat became the most desirable.

From there, generations of riders have developed rules to decide who gets this coveted seat.

The original rule, of course, requires you to call Shotgun in the presence of at least one other person.

This alone will earn you the shotgun position.

Other rules include no pre-calling Shotgun days or weeks prior to a specific car ride.

The automobile must be in sight when Shotgun is called, and, if the original Shotgun winner leaves the vicinity of the car, Shotgun becomes fair game again.

The rules are endless and many technicalities have been formed over the years.

Some specifications have become commonplace: the ever popular “No Blitz” and “Reload.”

“ No Blitz” is simply a way to ensure your security of the Shotgun position. It also prevents others ahead of you from sprinting to the car and potentially “stealing” your prize.

This is often said as “Shotgun, NO BLITZ!”

“ Reload” is a special privilege given specifically to the driver of the vehicle. This privilege constitutes that once Shotgun is called the driver has the ultimate power to call “Reload” and reset the process all over again.

Terms such as a “Shotgun Gaper” or a “Shotgun Void” have also come into use. The hated “Shotgun Gaper” is essentially a cheater at the game. The Gaper will run out of the house with no shoes to gain the advantage over fellow riders or stay in the car for extended periods of time.

A “Shotgun Void” means someone has broken one of the various Shotgun rules and regulations. A void can be best described as the taking away of your privilege as rightful Shotgun winner.

With these numerous technicalities, infinite controversies can arise. Not only are rules often broken, but many undocumented conditions can frequently be used creating even more chaos.

For example, the use of “No Johnson’s” in place of the more common “No Blitz” makes reference to the reference to the former world’s fastest man, Michael Johnson. We also see that the owner of the car, if not driving, has automatic rights to shotgun.

Significant others also reserve these rights.
Though the many formalities provide a basis for dispute, each disagreement can easily and efficiently be overcome with a simple game: Rock, Paper, Scissors.

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