On a road trip, does the driver get to pick the music?
Editors' DilemmaOctober 28, 2026· Be the first to vote
A story made up by our editors to get the debate going, not a real account.
My side
Every summer, I drive our little group to the beach: seven hours on the road. I’m the only one who likes driving, and I’m happy to do it. My one rule: I pick the music. I need songs I know to stay focused, mostly old 80s hits that I sing at the top of my lungs. This year, a friend plugged in her phone without asking, with podcasts and chill background music. I unplugged it after half an hour. She sulked until the first rest stop. The others told me that three hours of 80s hits was long for everyone.
Their side
My friend explains that passengers live through the drive too, and that seven hours is long for everyone. She just wanted to take turns, an hour each. She points out that the “driver decides” rule was never voted on, and that it mostly serves to impose my taste. She reminds me that she chips in for gas like everyone else.
So, who's wrong?
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