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Culture War Roundup for the week of April 13, 2026

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I think it's probably driven by trait neuroticism.

My husband usually insists on driving, and offers a continual commentary on his perceptions of the other drivers and their lack of virtue. When I drive, he does offer a medium amount of commentary on both my driving and that of the other cars on the highway, though less than when he himself is driving. I am in general a much chiller driver, though he will back seat drive about opportunities to pass on a one lane road, to save five minutes over the course of an hour's drive, which is a matter of preference, but I am annoyed that he accepts my preference less than I do his. Also, he makes me navigate to new out of the way places he has found, then criticizes my navigation instructions, but won't switch positions. This has become much better now the we have a screen in the car that displays the map.

Here's a thought experiment: Suppose a couple is driving along and the woman starts back-seat driving. The man might say something like "Ok, why don't you drive?" (And this really happens.) In these types of situations, the woman typically declines the offer. By contrast, a man is more likely to say something like "ok, sounds great, pull over and let's switch places."

This has not been my experience.