Idiom Of The Day - Back Seat Drivers
@arthurchappell (45002)
Preston, England
November 19, 2015 6:19am CST
I expect most motorists despise the back seat driver, the passenger who constantly naggingly warns them to slow down, keep left, watch out for that cyclist, etc. If I was a driver I’d order some passengers to get out and walk.
I find that even when not in a car there are people who appoint themselves as foreman and advisor, scrutinizing every little task from putting litter in the wheelie bins to making a cup of tea, making you feel as if you are doing everything wrong at every turn. Some people are just so hyper-critical.
They must wonder how we get through our day without their continuous guidance. They just make my blood rage and sometimes I find it ruins my concentration for even simple tasks, which then just makes them worse.
Arthur Chappell
12 people like this
13 responses
@moffittjc (118504)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Nov 15
Nothing is worse than a back seat driver! Thankfully, it's been a while since I experienced one of those! Although I love her dearly and miss her greatly, my grandmother was a notorious back seat driver! But I just couldn't kick granny out of my car, so I just had to grin and bear it!
4 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
19 Nov 15
yes it is particular awkward when it is someone you are so close to
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118504)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Nov 15
@arthurchappell Can you imagine kicking granny to the curb? That would not go over well with the family! Especially since I was already a rebellious teenager.
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
19 Nov 15
sounds like they are really rude and extreme Anna @LadyDuck
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Nov 15
you're writing too fast, slow down!
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
20 Nov 15
@Jessicalynnt took me a moment to get that one 
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Nov 15
@arthurchappell 
, I couldn't help myself! of course using the right you're (which I fixed) might have helped.... lol too tired.
, I couldn't help myself! of course using the right you're (which I fixed) might have helped.... lol too tired.2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
19 Nov 15
I find now that the kids are grown, that the front seat is usually filled with a back seat driver. I don't like it either but I have asked the bossy one if they wanted to do it themselves..That usually shuts them up.
4 people like this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
20 Nov 15
We all have our fair shares of backseat drivers, self appointed foreman, vociferous supervisors and what not. Personally, I'll just turn a deaf ear if it is not affecting my driving, work or staff under my charge. It just would affect you like yourself if you were to mind it so I'll let it go
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
20 Nov 15
My main helper driver is my husband. He seems to think I've never driven around the city where I was born or something. At least it isn't continual and I do it to him just a little too. Course, he's only been here a bit longer than twenty-seven years. Np one else that I drive around does that unless I forget where i'm going, which has happened before. I'm happy to be reminded in those cases.
Unfortunately, I might fit the second scenario. While I'm not management at my grocery store, I've been there long enough to train folks and try to get them to do things the right way, but I can't influence them on everything related to the job and I don't try. But, I'd never consider myself a 'control freak', 
2 people like this
@Fleura (29151)
• United Kingdom
19 Nov 15
Oh yes this is truly maddening. If I am a passenger I make a conscious effort to keep my mouth shut and never comment on the driver's driving - so much so that my previous boyfriend once almost drove into the back of a lorry he hadn't noticed!
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
19 Nov 15
yes there are times when it is handy to have a second pair of eyes on the road
2 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
19 Nov 15
I am a terrible back seat driver {and I don't drive}, but I have learned to keep my mouth firmly closed when in the car with Husband. I think it is a lot to do with needing to be in control, as @Rollo1 says. The car is something I can't control, and I can't control other road users either, which makes it doubly frustrating!
1 person likes this
@HebrewGreekStudies (1646)
• Canada
20 Nov 15
Part of me understands that *some* people are trying to be helpful...part of me understands that *some* people are nervous passengers...and, some part of me still gets, really annoyed at them too:)
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
20 Nov 15
I find some passengers just seem to like bullying the drivers - I don't drive and yet I have found the reactions of some fellow passengers very unpleasant to the driver. I have had a few white knuckle rides with bad drivers but I still don't criticise them but I avoid travelling with them whenever possible.
@paigea (35714)
• Canada
19 Nov 15
My husband is a slow learner. Many time I have quietly left my dinner preparations on the counter and gone and sat down with my laptop. When that happens he knows I am "gone" and he takes over my meal prep that he was just criticizing. Oh well he is a good cook so win win right?
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
19 Nov 15
sometimes, my sister is a backseat driver; I get annoyed when she says traffic is toxic, or when I pass through a small passage. I am a defensive driver, but I get anxious when my passenger is as noisy as a bird.
2 people like this
