Every Reason Why Your Uber Driver Hates You
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have taken the world by storm in recent years. And even though we all have at least one friend who decided to become a part-time Uber driver, most people don't know much about the general rules of Uber-courtesy.
In some cities, angry politicians and taxi drivers have managed to get Uber banned. In other cities, it's a new way of life. It's not going away anytime soon so we should start learning the basic dos and don'ts of being a good Uber passenger.
You Expect Water And Snacks On Every Ride
Just because you had that one Uber ride where the driver was super extra and had water, Tylenol, and snacks for you, doesn't mean every ride will be like that.
Props to those drivers for trying to make their passengers happy, but they set a ridiculous standard. Don't give your driver a low rating because they didn't have mints.
You Tell Them To Go Faster
Uber drivers work on a flat rate, so they want to drop you off just as much as you want to be at your destination. They will go as fast as legally possible because they have to abide by the rules of the road.
They're not going to risk your safety and their license to go full-blown Tokyo Drift for a stranger in their car.
You Text Them... At Any Point
Unless it's an emergency, just don’t text the driver. Ever. They will text or call you when they arrive, and that's it. Unless you forgot your wallet or purse, once the ride is done, don't talk to them again. That includes texting them to go on a date.
You Didn't Take The Time To Move The Pin
Photo credit: @ARC_Consulting / Twitter
It sounds like a stupid tiny detail, but when you forget to make sure that pin is exact, it can be super frustrating for the driver. If you place it on the wrong side of a building, or at an address nearby, it wastes time.
Sometimes people don't even remember to change the pin address, and the Uber will show up at your house when you're at the bar. Take the time to get it exact.
You Didn't Bother To Tip
Although Uber now makes tipping available at the end of your ride, many people don't use this option. But if you would tip your regular cab driver, why wouldn't you tip your Uber driver?
Just an extra click and two bucks make a difference. You're already using their services, so don't be cheap!
You Did The Ultimate Uber Cliché: You Threw Up In The Car
This goes for all driving services. Taxi, Uber, Lyft, everything. If you're so drunk that you have to toss your cookies, then either wait until you're better before ordering the ride or ask them to pull over ASAP. Otherwise, you'll end up with a hefty cleaning charge, and the driver will give you a terrible rating.
You Ask Them To Change The Music
It's important to remember that your Uber driver isn't bumping Drake's new album to please you, they're doing it to help them survive a night of driving other people around.
There's a way on Uber to set it so that the passenger is the one to choose the music. So if they didn't enable this option, then don't ask them to change the tunes.
You Left A Bad Review With No Explanation
It's a well-known fact that anything less than a 5-star review can tank an Uber driver's rating. The system is basically set up as a pass or fail.
If you are going to leave a bad review, then at least let the Uber driver know what was so wrong about it. There's nothing worse than having your rating tank and not knowing how to fix it.
You Made Them Drive To The Suburbs
You might live in the suburbs and never thought twice about taking an Uber home, but it's a real frustration. Driving out to the 'burbs can waste time and gas for the driver. But even worse, they usually won't find another passenger to pick up on their way back to town.
You Made Them Stop At A Drive-Thru And Didn't Even Fake-Offer Them Some Food
Uber drivers get no perks for taking you through the McDonald's drive-thru, but many of them will do it. But if you're going to stop, maybe offer to get them water or a small fry.
The odds are that they will decline, but it's the polite thing to do for the person who is helping you get home alive.
You Decided You're Invincible And Don't Need A Seatbelt
Many Uber drivers have said that they constantly have to remind their passengers to put on their seatbelts.
I'm not sure why people think being in an Uber means being in a bullet-proof, crash-proof car with the safest driver in the world, but that's not how it works.
You Got In The Front Seat Like It's Your Mom's Minivan
I get the idea of getting in the front of the car. It's kind of like when you call 'shotgun' for your friend's car. Yes, it's totally your choice to make that bold move and sit in the front, but it makes the driver feel awkward and more obligated to talk to you. Unless there are four people, just sit in the back.
You Tried To Illegally Shove Seven Friends Into A Sedan
It's like the seatbelt scenario all over again. Just because Uber is a rideshare program doesn't mean they can break every rule and regulation that drivers around the world have to follow.
If the Uber only has room for four, don't try to squeeze in your extra friend. The driver is the one who will get the fine, not you.
You Cancelled The Ride At The Last Second
You know how it can be super frustrating to see your Uber is a minute away then out of nowhere they cancel on you? It's even worse when you cancel on them.
You were only standing outside waiting. They had to drive ten minutes across town with the expectation of picking up a passenger. When you cancel you waste their valuable time.
You Acted Like The Airport Was The Most Confusing Place On Earth
Apparently, no one on the face of the earth knows how to find their Uber outside of the airport. It's not rocket science. Leave the airport and go to the first bay where all the parents, taxis, and Ubers are waiting. Stand there until your Uber pulls up. Don't try and meet them in the overnight parking lot.
You Talk The Entire Time About The Fact You Might Start Driving
People love to talk about the fact that they've thought about becoming an Uber driver, but it just comes off condescending. Your driver doesn't want to sit there and weigh the pros and cons of driving for Uber.
Plus, in most cities, there are more than enough Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers to go around.
You Left Crumbs Everywhere In Their Car
Most Uber drivers hate when you eat in their car without permission. A lot of the time, they have no way to control it if you've dropped crumbs everywhere or spilled something.
They can slap you with a cleaning fee, but when the seat has crumbs all over it, then the next passenger is more likely to give a bad rating to the driver even though it was your fault.
You Spent The Entire Time Loudly Talking On The Phone
Unless the phone call is urgent, then maybe it can wait until after the ride. Being on your phone makes the driver feel obligated to turn down the music and drive in awkward silence while you talk.
This means they will end up eavesdropping on your conversation the entire time. Just text your friends instead.
You Tried To Get A Little Too Friendly
Passengers touching the driver is way more common than you think. Not only is it dangerous, because it can be distracting, but it's also unprofessional.
These drivers may be friendly, but this is their job. Don't mistake their courtesy as flirting. They just need the 5-star rating.
You Didn't Even Try To Be A Courteous Drunk
Uber drivers likely won't completely deny you a ride if you're drunk, but try to be good about it.
We've already talked about not throwing up in the car, but also don't get in the car with open alcohol, and try to have some idea about where you're going.