Francene - Views on news
  • BLOG
  • About
  • Contact

Childhood middle seat misery makes you stronger.

5/2/2015

7 Comments

 
Picture
Ever wondered how in-car dynamics such as seating positions can impact on us as people? I must admit, the subject has never troubled me. For the last thirty years, I've occupied the front passenger seat. But what about riding in a car as a child? According to a study, a lot can be revealed in this unique environment which places everyone together in a confined space. Often this orientation can directly reflect or influence our personalities.

Children who get stuck sitting in the middle seat on long journeys are more likely to grow up to be rich and successful, according to new research. Of course, in all likelihood they're the oldest child, with the younger two needing their special car seat. We didn't have those back in the fifties (That's one of those terms that need to change now we've entered the twenty first century.) But, being the oldest sister, I can't remember where I sat or if I was uncomfortable. I know I hated the smell of my youngest sister's vomit. Just goes to show, smell is one of the most powerful memories. Chuckle.

Back to the subject of sitting in the middle position in a family car, which is traditionally the short straw for children piling into the back seat. The spot tends to be restrictive on legroom, back support and lacks a decent view.

However, experts claim that the perceived unfair position gives them the drive to do well in business when they grow up.

1,000 Brits with two or more siblings surveyed in the Skoda Octavia study found that 90% of those at director level had been subjected to middle seat misery when they were young. And 80 per cent were convinced that having to suffer the discomfort of the middle seat in the car was linked to their later success in business.

The survey found many of the middle seat managers thought their position in the car as a child had made them more considerate rather than ruthless.

Whilst 43% of middle seat children remembered arguing about their position in the car, 66% said that looking back, they actually enjoyed it. Source: The Telegraph.

Picture
Disclaimer: I wasn't a child a hundred years ago like the picture depicts. Almost—but not quite. 

Living with my divorced mother as a child, we didn't own a car. But, my father did. He'd call in some weekends to drive us to his new house with our step-mother. On the way, we'd beg him to drive around the 'curly-wurly', which was a house-lined crescent with very severe bends. It gave me the feeling of being on a giant fun-ride. When we reached the end we'd beg him to go it again.

No matter where I sat, I ended up a well-balanced person. I think.

Can you remember the dynamics of your childhood position in the car?



7 Comments
emilia link
5/1/2015 10:16:04 pm

I was in the middle. On my own will and wouldn`t take any other spot :) I had to see everything :D

Reply
Laurel Regan link
5/2/2015 01:39:54 am

There were only two of us, so I always got a window seat! Still, I think I turned out ok. :)

Reply
Maddy link
5/2/2015 03:48:53 am

It was a great novelty for me to travel in a car at all as a child since my parents didn't own one. Not sure what Skoda would make of that but I did like to be upstairs on the bus....

Reply
Alana Mautone link
5/2/2015 08:14:18 am

My family did not own a car. And yes, that influenced me a lot - for the better, I think, as did growing up in a city where you were expected to use mass transit and walk.

Reply
K.Lee Banks link
5/2/2015 12:25:45 pm

Interesting, as always - but no, I can't really remember our "car seating dynamics." I was the oldest of four, and then I also had four kids. I think in both cases, we eventually had vans rather than a car, so the middle seat problem became a non-issue.

Reply
Mary Burris link
5/2/2015 06:36:38 pm

I was the youngest, and was often stuck in the middle as my older brothers wanted window seats. Back in the days when everyone had bench seats in the front seat, I would often sit up front between my parents.

Reply
Ajay Pai link
5/3/2015 02:00:29 am

We never owned a car, when I was young. Despite, I managed well.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories
    news
    earth
    sea
    space
    environment
    people
    animals
    fish
    birds 

    experience 
    writing
    novels

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.