8 things that passengers do inside the car that annoy most drivers

We Filipinos love to invest a significant amount of time in making our vehicles look and smell good. That is why we also expect a lot from our passengers when it comes to car etiquette and behaviors. Having a passenger in your car on a long journey can be rewarding.

They will talk to you and do their best to keep you awake. They will also point out interesting sights which you might miss and provide suggestions for new and exciting restaurants. Unfortunately, not all passengers are perfect. Despite their good intentions, they can sometimes become extremely annoying.

Having a passenger in your car on a long journey can be rewarding

In case you are unfortunate enough to be caught with a disturbing copilot on a long journey, getting from point A to B can turn into a problematic ride that will surely test your patience.

If the passengers are not careful with their manners inside your vehicle, it can seriously affect the entire trip or perhaps it can strain your relationship. Here at Philkotse.com are going to give you some common scenarios that passengers unknowingly do that leave the car owners annoyed.

No car owner likes to see the interior of their car being messed up especially when you place some effort taking good care of your vehicle 

1. Making a mess

If you uphold the "No Food or Drink" policy in your vehicle, then you do not have to worry about your passengers littering inside your car. For owners who don't have that rule, this kind of scenario can be a cause of major stress.

When you see the snacks that your passenger has brought alongside them, you would think they would spill their drinks and create a big stain your car seats or leave crumbs on your clean floor carpet. Remind them to clean after their mess to keep your car clean at all times.

>>> Read more: Why don't drivers get car sick and how to avoid it?

2. Switching your favorite music  

It is essential for drivers to have a specific rule about not allowing their passengers to mess with their music. You may have a particular playlist that you are anticipating tuning into, yet your passenger does not appreciate your choice of music and switches it.

It is the moment when your passenger attempts to take control, and then you begin to argue the remainder of your travel together. One of the most significant passenger crime is to change music. The driver, in general, should be in charge of this.

To avoid conflict, it is best to establish this rule from the minute that your passenger/s step inside your vehicle.

Passengers singing may distract drivers, more so if you are off-key

3. Off-key singing

Filipinos in general love to sing along from songs blaring on the radio while on a road trip because it helps deal with the boredom. However, not all passengers are gifted with a good singing voice, and yet they still have the guts to sing at the top of their lungs to the point that it gets annoying.

You can tell them that it is okay to sing along, but they should be mindful of the volume because you easily get distracted while driving.

>>> Good to know: How to be a good car passenger: 7 Dos & Don'ts to remember.

4. Being back seat driver

Passengers who often love to say things like "You are going the wrong way", "You are too close to the other vehicle", and "You are going excessively slow" can get pretty annoying. Some passengers love to give out undesirable advice to the driver because they love being in control of the wheel.

One of the most annoying kinds of a passenger to have - a backseat driver! 

We call these passengers "the back seat drivers" and they can be very dangerous. Several motorists had a mishap or close accidents because they got distracted by a back seat driver.

Nobody wants to ride with a passenger who keeps on telling you what to do. It is best to establish that rule so all passengers would remain calm and quiet throughout the ride.

>>> Check out: Handling backseat drivers: 7 tips to follow.

5. Slamming of the door

There are certain types of passengers, especially teenagers who are not aware that slamming the car door is a sign of disrespect and lack of grace. Most drivers find it tormenting to hear their car doors slam behind their ears because of the fear that it may fall apart anytime.

Please remind your passengers to close the door gently as they get in and out of the vehicle

As the car owner, it is okay to remind your passengers to close the door gently as they get in and out of the vehicle.  

6. Putting feet on dashboards  

This passenger behavior will set any driver off the edge especially for owners who really take good care of their vehicle. You do not want to ponder about the cleanliness of the passengers' footwear and think about whether it will leave permanent stains or marks on your dashboard.

Passengers who would think of doing this are terribly inconsiderate and disrespectful. Some drivers will not probably mind if it is done once or twice, but the idea of cleaning up all the dirt can set you off the edge.

To prevent this from happening you can buy a sticker that says “Feet off the dashboard” so all front passengers will get the message right away.

Besides dirtying the dashboard, you are also blocking the side view mirror

7. Contribution for the gasoline and toll fees

We all know that all vehicles need gas or diesel in order to reach your destination. It should be expected that you and your companions will be spending a significant amount of money for fuel and toll fees, especially when you are planning to visit far away provinces.

We all know that all vehicles need gas or diesel in order to reach your destination

These travel expenses should not be an issue for relatives or close friends. However, some passengers do not offer to add or contribute their share to gas expenses, and it can be very annoying.

Most drivers anticipate that other passengers should offer to help with the costs, regardless of whether you decide to ask or not. If you are not willing to shoulder all costs, then assign someone who should take charge of collecting the money from other passengers.

>>> Let's update: Increased toll fees applied for popular expressways in the Philippines in 2019.

8. Lack of direction

One of the advantages of having somebody traveling with you inside the car is that they can help provide you with directions. However, sometimes, this responsibility can turn out badly and cause you to get lost on your way to your destination.

You can get confused when it comes to choosing the right way, and it can be a cause of an argument with your passenger. As an alternative turn on your cars’ GPS or your phones' Google maps to get the right directions.

Passengers providing directions can sometimes confuse you