Uber and other ridesharing services have become a common luxury in many of our lives. Whether you need a ride to the airport or a ride home for a drink, ridesharing is a very convenient, fast, and safe way to get from place to place. However, these services have become so commonplace that people may forget that they are actually a luxury and the drivers who maintain these services deserve their due respect and appreciation. I don’t know. (This is more than just paying for the ride and tipping.) If you don’t want to be the kind of rude, obnoxious passenger whose driver complains to his friends, and if you don’t want him to give you a bad rating, do the following: There is a method like this. Some mistakes to avoid the next time you call for a car.
We scoured Reddit threads and subreddits (primarily r/uberdrivers) to get feedback on the passenger habits drivers find most frustrating. Here are the top things you should never do with Uber (or any other rideshare service).
Don’t keep the driver waiting
Proper Uber etiquette starts before you even get in the car. A common complaint from drivers on Reddit was that they too often make riders wait to be picked up after they arrive. Remember, time is money for Uber drivers. So not only is it annoying to have to wait, but you may not be able to accept as many rides as you would like during your shift.
Keeping your driver waiting can also be costly for you as a rider. For a typical UberX trip, if you don’t board your ride within two minutes of your driver arriving, you’ll be charged a minute-long wait fee. If you keep your driver waiting too long, the driver may decide to cancel the trip and you may be charged a cancellation or no-show fee. So, for both you and your driver, be ready to go outside when your Uber ride arrives.
Don’t use Uber as a transportation service
As someone who lives in New York City without a car and frequently shops on Facebook Marketplace, I’ve called UberXL many times to transport furniture. So, I failed the etiquette test in this regard. One. In a Reddit post on the r/uberdrivers subreddit, one user asked if it was bad etiquette to call UberXL to move a mattress in a box. Some drivers simply responded, “Yes, that’s bad manners. People carrying large items should use a moving service or U-Haul instead.”
Other drivers say it’s okay to call Uber to transport large items, as long as you send a message when you book the ride, give advance notice of the items you’re transporting, and tip well for the extra service. He said there are cases. “In my opinion as a driver, this is a bit abusive to the drivers and the service,” one Reddit user wrote. “[It’s]not outrageous, but it’s inconsiderate enough to tip $20. If there’s no message, no phone call, and no sign that we’re carrying anything larger than a suitcase, we’ll cancel on arrival.”
Transporting something like a coffee table via UberXL may not seem all that different from loading a large suitcase from the airport, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, the driver likely hasn’t prepared the car for transporting the furniture, which means that damage to both the car and the furniture itself cannot be completely prevented. They also point out that although you may be planning to do all the heavy lifting yourself, some drivers prefer to do it themselves to avoid scratches and scratches on the vehicle, which requires extra effort from the driver. I’m doing it.
don’t sit behind the driver
Preferences about where passengers should sit in an Uber aren’t as unanimous as you might think. In fact, some drivers (in response to the question where the rider should sit) said that they did not care at all whether the rider sat in the front or back seat of the car. Where the rider sits. However, many drivers like the rider to sit in the back seat and push the passenger seat up to increase legroom in the back seat and/or to prevent the rider from sitting in the front seat. I mentioned that there are many. (Of course, if you call for a four-seater car and the car only seats four, one person must sit in the front, of course.)
Although many drivers did not have a very strong preference for where the rider should sit, the strongest opinion shared was about the seat directly behind the driver. One driver replied, “When I’m driving, sit wherever you like, as long as it’s not directly behind me.” “That makes me suspicious.” So the next time you take a solo Uber, keep this in mind before you mindlessly sit behind the driver’s seat.
Avoid eye contact in the rearview mirror
Drivers and passengers alike have varying preferences in how much they want to socialize and interact during an Uber trip. However, no one likes awkward eye contact, so be careful not to make eye contact with the driver in your rearview mirror. One driver wrote that while this is pretty low on Uber’s list of unspoken rules, it was “very uncomfortable” for both drivers and riders alike.
Don’t add stops during your ride
Before accepting a ride, drivers can see the pick-up location and destination so they can decide whether to take the ride. With that in mind, adding stops in the middle of a ride (even if possible) is not very considerate. Because in that case, the ride is no longer the same as the ride that the driver agreed to. However, you may find that you need to add another stop after you’ve already started your ride. In that case, it’s best to check in advance whether you can add additional stops, taking into consideration the driver’s time and service.
Do not eat or drink in the car
Just as everyone has different preferences about whether eating and drinking is allowed in certain rooms of the house, different people have different rules when it comes to cars. So treat your Uber vehicle like you’re entering someone’s home for the first time. In that context, you probably won’t open a bag of chips and start snacking unless you’re told it’s okay first. So use the same etiquette with Uber. If you want to take a sip of the granola bar in your bag or the soda you brought with you, it’s best to first ask the driver if you can eat or drink in the car.
Do not leave trash in your car
Similarly, if you enjoy a snack or drink during your Uber ride, be sure to clean up after yourself and avoid leaving behind any scraps or trash. The same goes for leaving used tissues and other trash behind. Unless the driver has a designated bin in the vehicle, trash must be taken home with you upon departure.
don’t slam the door
That’s probably the same thing your parents have told you over and over again. “Don’t slam the door.” You may be trying to keep your car door closed properly, but be careful not to slam it shut when you get out. Slamming the door not only damages your car, but it’s also a bit rude. Instead, thank the driver and close the door for as long as you need.