Having grown up in the US, I've always understood that sitting in the front passenger seat ('shotgun') is more desirable than being in the backseat. However, if ever the situation arose where I had to choose between myself sitting in the front or an elder, I would respectfully take the back seat.
However, the same is not applicable in Pakistan. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
When I returned to Pakistan in 1997 for the first time since 1984, I was ignorant of the local customs when it came to seating arrangements in the car. And so when my father and I approached the car, I naively insisted (thinking it to be respectful) that he sit in the front passenger seat and I would sit in the back. He declined, which I interpreted as a gesture of humility on his part and so I kept insisting, until he basically told me to just shut up and get in the front.
It was later that I realized that sitting in the back is a sign of respectability and even status. And it's not out of any elitism that prohibits them from sitting next to their 'menial' drivers. In fact, even if my brother and I were to get in the car with my father, we would both sit in the front with my father in the back.
As most of you know, it’s the exact opposite in the US, where I have countless times given up the front seat out of respect for an elder.
I wonder if this is the case in other countries/cultures…
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And then there are the taxis here in Saudi. Back in America, the norm is to jump into the backseat of a taxi. And so, the first time I flagged down a taxi here in Riyadh, I instinctively got into the back. The Indian driver politely mentioned that I could sit in the front, but again out of ignorance of local customs, I thought it odd and simply ignored his request. I immediately sensed the discomfort in his facial expression.
I learned that male passengers are expected to sit in the front seat, next to the taxi driver. To sit in the back is sometimes seen as a gesture of arrogance and self-importance with a tinge of untrusthworthiness (is that even a word?) and it doesn't go over too well with the local drivers.
I find these cultural idiosyncrasies to be subtle pointers indicating the social mores of the various cultures.
That being said, just don't ask me what I would to do if my father and I were to ever take a taxi in Riyadh. :-)
WAW
4 days ago
7 comments:
ASA brother,
It works a little like that on the islands as well. With a wrinkle or two.
In some instances, when a man takes a taxi with other women, he is expected to let the woman take the front seat if she is young but if she is old, then the woman takes the backseat. Of course if the young woman has a child then she sits in the back, but he should also remain in the back.
If an older man and younger man are taking the taxi, then the older man sits in the front.
Its too confusing. I hate the way the drive so I love the backseat. Just get me there alive.
AA- Charles,
Funny you mention the point about the ladies sitting in the front. A similar phenomenon takes place in Pakistan. In the overcrowded vans that squeeze 20 or so people in the back, its normally too tight for ladies. So if there is a single (or maybe two) female passenger, they're given the front seat.
And yeah, my greatest worry is simply getting to my destination in one piece. :-)
We used to look forward to sitting in the front seat and couldnt wait to be old (and tall) enough to do so! But in Pak if you have a driver, you do not ever sit at the front least you be mistaken for a co-driver.
Generally though if its a strange man women sit at the back (most drivers are male usually)although when I used to hail a cab my grandmother sat at the front and the rest of the girls at the back. Because she was old (or the oldest) it was thought the driver wouldnt "try anything on" with her.
Difference is that in Pak you have specific people who's job it is to drive you around, elsewhere in the world its whoever has a licence and is insured to do so! So the "snobbery" does not occur.
Salaam 'alaikum. At least among me and my wife's family, who sits in the front is the one with the longest legs. :) Usually meaning me. My MIL sits behind me because I push my seat back the furthest and she needs the least legroom. My FIL and BIL sit behind my wife because her seat is more forward. If I get out of the car, my FIL usually takes the front seat.
In east Asia (Korea, Malaysia and Singapore), I have always gotten into the back seat, along with my wife if she's going with me. The only time we ever get into the front seat is if there isn't enough room in the back.
Now, how do Saudis signal for a taxi? ;) With their arms raised up like Americans do it? Or with their arms straight out at their sides like east Asians? :)
I've got a bunch of taxi stories. ;)
BTW, my second paragraph is referring to getting into taxis. Forgot to mention that.
Interesting post. In Pakistan it also depends on what part of the country you are from. In Sind the elder or the VIP actually sits right next to the driver. You will never see a tribal leader sitting in the back, that place is for guards and servants.
AA- TJ,
Very interesting to know - I wonder why the contrast b/w the two regions? (as my experience is with Punjab).
Anyways, if I ever get to Karachi, I'll be sure to keep that in mind. :-)
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