It's off to grandma's. We can’t wait for the (loving) family squabbling and one helping too many of pumpkin pie. Only one thing stands in the way: the arduous road trip there. With gas prices at their lowest in seven years, it’s no surprise that driving remains the most popular mode of travel this holiday. To the 42 million Americans who will be hitting the highways this Thanksgiving, here are a few tips to keep in mind. First and foremost, deep breaths people!
Daniel Post Senning is the great-great grandson of Emily Post, the pioneer of etiquette and the author of her eponymous book, Emily Post’s Etiquette, which is now in its 18th edition. Senning has teamed up with Ford (F) to share some pointers about navigating the roads in the digital world—and keeping your cool.
Let the grand tour begin
As the driver, you’re also the host. Cars are changing so fast and many are technology-enabled. People might not know there’s a power source in the backseat, a USB port that will charge their phones, or perhaps even a massaging seat to enjoy along the ride. Just as you would show a house guest where the restroom and kitchen are located, make passengers feel at home in your car by letting them know where things are located.
Content > boredom
An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure, so make a plan. Set up a Spotify playlist or download some content so it's ready to go when you lose cell reception (yes, this does still happen). But don't forget: personal attention is important, particularly in a small, confined space like a car in which you have a captive audience. So, it's a fundamental courtesy to show respect to your passengers by minimizing the time you spend on devices. For your more intellectual passengers, have podcasts, audiobooks, and TED Talks ready to go.
Headphones are OK
Sometimes you’re listening to something that’s not of interest to someone else. If it’s your favorite football podcast, and your wife’s not interested, put on those headphones. But keep in mind that it’s also important that passengers are alert enough to serve as potential navigators. You want to make it to Grandma's, don't you?
Chivalry’s not dead ... it’s different
Holding the door for someone will never go out of style, but with automated, keyless entry and remote start, modern protocol can prove puzzling. Today, driver chivalry means unlocking the door before your Great Aunt Ethel even tries to open it or cranking up the heat before your chilly trip home.
The rules of shotgun
A special relationship always confers special privileges. Defer to elders first, but among peer groups, yes, first-come first-served—that’s a fundamental principle of etiquette and good motor manners. Like a true gentleman, Senning always calls the middle seat in the back—you know, the worst seat in the car—because he doesn't want other people to get stuck with it. Sometimes it’s about putting other people first.
Do not weave your whip
Excessive weaving in traffic has always been bad form—use safety assist features and the 360-degree cameras to their maximum advantage. Be patient and commit to a lane. You’re not going to go any faster by switching lanes every few second!
It’s OK to honk the horn (judiciously)
When you feel the road rage mounting, prepare yourself that it might be a stressful situation and remind yourself that you can’t necessarily correct other people’s behavior. The horn is the voice of the car, and it’s really a communication tool. There’s a polite "beep beep" that’s a head’s up, letting you know I’m here. Then there’s a slightly more insistent beep that signals that something's up. But there’s also that angry, "I’m losing control and I’m potentially approaching that place where I’m no longer safe" honk—you don’t want to overuse that one.
Crowded parking lots
We all know not to fight over precious parking spaces, but it goes further than that. Selfish behavior is never in style, but careless parking is especially frowned upon during the season of giving. Show respect to other drivers by staying between the lines—and if you’re not a master manipulator in reverse, let advanced, semi-automated technologies like park assist help you squeeze in and out of that tight spot.
Tip at full-service gas stations
Hey New Jerseyans and Oregonians—don’t take full service for granted! And for those traveling through these full-service states, tipping is always appreciated. It’s amazing the doors of service that good tipping can open. If you have an extra dollar or two to spare, pay it forward! The attendants will be more likely to provide friendly, efficient service to the next person.
