Drive While Following or Being Followed by Your Girlfriend's Parents
The point of this tutorial is to inform the typical male teenage driver of how to bring down his driving testosterone while following or being followed by his girlfriend's parents, especially the girlfriend's father. The goal is not to seem like you are an old granny, but also look as though you are not endangering the parent's daughter. This tutorial will teach you how to accomplish this feat.
Steps
- Be chivalrous. Open the door for your girlfriend, especially if it is raining or other inclement weather of the such.
- Don't peel out. You are not cool, funny, nor classy if you peel out. You are simply dumb. A peel out is the first sign that you are going to endanger the daughter. Plus, you will only make your girlfriend sick doing it. Although you, as a typical teenage male, may like the thrill of peeling out, most girls do not, and certainly the parents will not approve. Major points can be lost here.
- Use your signals. Parents like to see that you are a safe and knowledgeable driver. Use turn signals and lights to emphasize this. If you are changing lanes, use a turn signal. If it is dusk, turn on the lights just as a safety factor. This comforts the parents to know that you are a safe and respectful driver.
- Drive near the speed limit, and depending on the conditions, drive slower or faster. If it is a normal day, sun shining, birds signing, drive slightly above the limit, but not too much. Drive above it enough to say, "I am not an old lady in my Cadillac out for a Sunday drive" but not enough above to say, "I am going to end up in a ditch with your daughter." If the speed limit is 30, go 35. But if weather conditions are bad, always think safety first! No points will be won here for quicker driving. Stay at or below the speed limit to show safety. If following the parents, and they are going to fast, try to keep up with them, but if it feels unsafe, there is no problem backing off a bit - if anything, they will back off with you.
- Don't make abrupt or sharp movements. If you need to make an abrupt or sharp movement changing lanes or passing someone, then you are giving the impression that you are not in control of your vehicle. You also look drunk. When changing lanes, put on your turn signal, look to the lane, and then merge with it with purpose, but not angrily. If you are turning into a driveway or other such thing, don't slow to a stop, but don't bottom out your car going to fast. Remember, if you change lanes, be safe, and change purposefully, not angrily. The only exception to this is that if someone stops in front of you and are holding up an entire lane, including you and the parents, and you must dart out into the one next to you to merge with the traffic, then this is acceptable. This move can earn points with the father if made powerfully but safely. Remember though, never sacrifice safety.
- Do not pass parents (when following them) unless absolutely necessary. Stay behind them at a safe distance (1 car length for every {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} is recommended, but you can tighten this up a little bit). Passing them is not good because it not only shows you are going too fast, but it also puts you into the awkward situation of if you are not quite sure where you are going, and they plan to take you another way, or somewhere else, they will be annoyed if they cannot signal to you to turn somewhere. It is easier to stay behind them and do what they do, travel at their speed, and follow their lead. If you are behind them then they are now trying to set a good example for you. Let them, and show them you are understanding by following in suit.
- Avoid engaging in sexual behavior in the car. Many of these are a no no in front of parents anyway, so just don't be a moron and this will not be an issue. Cars are a way to get from point A to point B, not pleasure cruises. Don't abuse that. Plus, if you are kissing your girl, your eyes and attention are certainly not on the road. And parents can see all of this, in front of and behind you. The only thing that may nix this is the "Crank" scenario, but even in this instance, you should probably just accept your fate - or find a hospital very quickly.
- Park quickly and smoothly and try to be close to the destination. Parent's don't want to walk {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} to the restaurant, so don't make them. Also, if you are still with the parents, try to find a spot for two cars. It is always good to walk with the parents all the way back to their car whenever possible. If you park next to each other, this will be perfect.
Tips
- If you drive a flashy car, remember that safety is the primary concern. You already have won points for style, so there is no need to earn them on the road.
- Another way to determine how fast you should drive when in front of the parents is by looking in the rear view mirror and matching their speed. If they are gaining on you, pick it up a little. If you are losing them, back it off. Try to keep with their speed, since this is probably the speed they are most comfortable with.
- The father is the most important person to impress in this situation. Gauge how you think he might drive, and go from there. Nevertheless, if you think he drives like a mad man, don't do it! Make him feel comfortable that his daughter is safe but that she is with a man, not a grandma.
- If you drive a not so flashy car, safety is still number one, but you will want to make sure that you show you don't drive like your car looks. Adopt a slightly more powerful (not reckless) driving style, but keep safety first.
Warnings
- Do not open the door for your girlfriend if she or her mother believes that women are capable and do not need the door opened for them. The only thing that trumps this would be if an older relative, such as a grandfather were there, and he believed in chivalry. Inclement weather trumps this as well.
- Don't drink and drive!
Things You'll Need
- Car
