Sharing that you’re a current or former Uber driver
It can be fun to bond over a shared job experience, but what you may see as just swapping tales from your side hustle or offering friendly advice can feel like judgement, criticism or favour-seeking from the driver, says Diego. “Lots of these dudes will say it like now we’re buddies and then ask for a favour that, if they were a driver before, they should know not to ask,” he says. “Or they’ll offer me advice, which can be really outdated, depending on when they were driving. I always say ‘thank you’ because I know they think they’re being helpful, but it rarely is.”
Do this instead: It’s fine to say you used to drive a rideshare at one point and offer some empathy, but stop there, says Sokolosky. “Don’t offer people advice unless they ask for it,” she adds.
Asking our opinion about politics
People will sometimes ask their Uber driver to settle an argument or validate their hot takes on controversial subjects, but Genevieve says it’s in the driver’s best interest to stay neutral. “I get that some people like to talk about that stuff and they feel like it’s a compliment to ask my opinion, but I can’t risk getting into an argument or offending a rider,” she says. “This means I just end up nodding and agreeing with whatever you say.”
Do this instead: Feel free to have polite and reasonably quiet conversations about hot topics with your fellow riders (if you know them), but stick to small talk with your driver. And definitely don’t bring the driver into arguments, says Sokolosky.
This is a so-called polite habit restaurant staff also dislike.
Getting a little too comfy
“I’ve had people tell me my car is so nice and so comfortable that they just feel at home in it … and then proceed to take their shoes off or brush their teeth or shave,” says Solomon. “It’s nice that they feel comfortable, but I don’t want them to be that comfortable!” In a similar vein, Genevieve says that people will make themselves comfortable by putting their dirty feet (with shoes on or off) on her armrest.
Do this instead: An Uber isn’t your car or home, so don’t treat it like it is, says Sokolosky. Pick up your rubbish, keep your shoes (and clothes) on and leave personal hygiene routines for the bathroom.
