RIDEGURU
Has anyone ever shamed your job as a rideshare driver for Uber and Lyft?
KirstenGH
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Do you have questions for your Uber anad Lyft drivers? What about tips and suggestions? Whether you are a driver or a rider, share your comments here and get responses from real rideshare drivers.
KirstenGH
Ride Apprentice
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Featured Answers
Bigfrank
Remember that you are the Captain of your ship and let no one disturb your peace. If someone tries to look down on you it is because he or she have a low self esteem. If someone raises their voice and /or becomes vuglar cancel the ride immediately and notify your app company to protect yourself.Never lower yourself to their standards nor be embarrassed at your occupation . As long as your behind the wheel and performing a service you are a driver and there is no shame in working for a honest days pay.
Comments
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Most people I drive are decent people. I've had a few that you could tell by the questions they asked and their attitude how they feel. There has been some that I've picked up in neighborhoods with big single homes that were snobs and talked down to me. I've had others that start out being snobby and asked "why would you do this for living" like its the worst job in the world. When I tell them I am doing it because I need flexibility while going to Nursing School their attitude changes drastically. Definately are people out there who think this is worse than working at Wal Mart:) I've picked up strippers who think they are better. Bark orders from the minute they get in your car. I had one scream and yell at me because I was at main enterance (thats where app put me) not stripper enterance. When I got to her she continued to bark orders and be rude. I definitely dont know where they get off acting like that.
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I have always told people that, by driving taxis or Uber, you get a wide exposure to the general public, and you get to see the representation of who's out there. I too have realized that the great majority of the world is made up of good people (restoring my faith) but there's the rest that have issues, whether they are assholes, rude, criminals, etc. That subset will not go away as it's a societal thing.
Being a driver teaches me so much about the demographics. I can tell you the make up of society and attach a decent percentage. Who is gay, females, tall, business users, jerks vs. nice, etc. I should start a log book and come up with stats.
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Drove a pair of stoned individuals once, lady stared at me for about 3 minutes from back seat, then stated "You look pretty smart for an Uber Driver"
whatever the heck that means :)
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Remember that you are the Captain of your ship and let no one disturb your peace. If someone tries to look down on you it is because he or she have a low self esteem. If someone raises their voice and /or becomes vuglar cancel the ride immediately and notify your app company to protect yourself.Never lower yourself to their standards nor be embarrassed at your occupation . As long as your behind the wheel and performing a service you are a driver and there is no shame in working for a honest days pay.
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There's always going to be people that "talk down" to others because being a jerk is a pretty common thing.
"Is this what you studied in college?" - *smile* No, I have an AA in Liberal Arts, an AS in paralegal Studies, a BA in Political Science, a BS in Biology, and an MBA. You?
"Is this your full time job, or do you work others to make ends meet?" - *smile* No, I only drive 12-15 hrs a week, so this is very part time for me. I'm also a retired military officer, so I have a pension, I'm a former financial advisor so I have investments and risidual income, and I own several rental properties. What about you?
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Did anyone actually ask you "Is this what you studied in college?"
I would say "Yes" just to see expression on their faces, lol
I get plenty of "Is this your full time job; What else do you do besides driving, etc, - but never with an ending "to make ends meet?" :)
I bet questions like these, paired with "to make ends meet" most often come form low lifes who do not even have a car, or got their licenses suspended for DUI while driving their rusty 1993 S-10 Blazer in 2018 :)
My uncle, 76 just started driving for Uber/Lyft not to make ends meet, but for the fun of it, not to sit at home. He has a construction company that he recently had his son take over, so money is not the main motivator for ridesharing for him or for many of drivers, especially those that are retired:) Funny that some drivers out there pay more money in taxes than the low lifes that try to degrade us earn per year, and most often we drivers have much nicer cars then them :)
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OMG, if someone asked me "Is this what you studied in college". I would just go "yes, I went to the Uber school for Drivers" to see their reaction.
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No one has shamed me yet. Many are curious... some want to understand more about it and ask questions.
A few have barked orders and talked down to me.
No matter how poorly some people may act out... Who and how I am is not dependent on them or thier perception. If they are off putting or rude... they will be out of the car in a few minutes (usually.)
Some of the other drivers I have seen should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for different reasons (We will not go into here.) There are times I actually feel ashamed to be associated with them. Ultimately, it is not because they are Drivers, it is who they are.
Some passengers confide in me about poor experiecnes... but they generally will not treat me poorly.
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Yeah, this usually comes in the indirect form. It's usually built into the questions they ask and how they treat service providers.
You know that saying, "if you want to know the truth about your date, watch how he [or she] treats the waitor"? It's because some people are curt and rude to people who provide for us. I don't know why this happens. The truth bleeds out.
I have seen that in my colleagues and even those who I considered as friends.
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Most people aren't openly jerks, but sometimes you can tell they are jerks inside.
Certain line of questioning reveals where their minds are at. For example, they would ask questions like "How did you end up as an Uber driver?" or "Do you think AVs will replace your jobs?"
Or just mentioning articles that we already know about. Say "Another Uber driver commits suicide for making too little money."
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I've had a few instances where I was clearly being "talked down to"... so I usually will casually mention my real profession during the course of the ride and that shuts that foolishness down altogether. And oddly enough, sometimes it's what I would have thought as the least likely of individuals that do it. The poor and downtrodden i have found are much quicker to make snide remarks when you would have thought it would be the wealthy and privilidged - at least that's been my experience.
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Wes,
You stated "And oddly enough, sometimes it's what I would have thought as the least likely of individuals that do it. The poor and downtrodden i have found are much quicker to make snide remarks when you would have thought it would be the wealthy and privilidged"
the picture on below link (right side of the picture) will show you why you had the experience you did :) where the (The poor and downtrodden i have found are much quicker to make snide remarks) vs. the wealthy and privilidged
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OpnjuQyv2wKMqCpYqX76xPX_PDUrrMDR
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I'm not exactly sure what you meant by that... i do consider myself highly successful and as far as Uber is concerned, based on my experience and ratings, I would say you'd have to agree. And as a professional sales rep for 30 years, I'm fairly good at handling people.
So, exactly what are you thinking?
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He is probably referring to how you felt inclined to bring up your "real profession". You felt insecure and felt judged for being an Uber driver and appearing to have that as the only job.
If you were truly comfortable with yourself, you perhaps would not have said anything. ...or even felt you were being talked down on.
Remember there are plenty of peopl who drive Uber fulltime and it is their only job. Should they feel ashamed?
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Your point is well made and never having given a thought to the "full time drivers" and how they must feel - especially since I plan to retire in a couple of years and then will do Uber much more often - probably enough to be considered a full timer.
My point certainly wasn't that Full Time Driver's are any more or less accomplished than myself - definitely wasn't where my head was going - but rather that some individuals would dare to treat certain professions, such as Uber driving in such a way as to suggest it is a menial or poor choice of employment.
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I feel the reason degrading remarks are most likely to come from some simple minded (unsuccessful passengers) is because they do not value nor understand that we drivers, regardless if we drive full time or part are business owners, as drivers weare considered self employed, do and pay our 1099 taxes, determine deductions, we calculate mileage, maintain and clean our car, pay insurance, adjust our strategies to make more$, drive them safely, look for them in hard pick up locations, listen to their stories, etc. They do not get it that we make most money when they sit home in their asses drinking beer or on way to bars. (We make most money when everyone is going out and having good time) so we give up our time with our families. yes, rideshare is not an extremely high paying job, but it is fun for those that stick around, considering how many drivers quit within 6 month on the job.
higher class pass passengers understand value of hard workand what I listed above including our and dedication and thus are more appreciative that we came to pick them up.
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I have definitely had riders that are "surprised" to hear I went to a good 4 year college and work as a project manager at a decent firm. Not sure why people think hustling as an uber driver on the side means your poor... for me it just means I want a few extra thousand to take my wife on nice trips.
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I get sized up typically by toxic masculinity, insecure guys. They have a difficult time enjoying the ride and rattle off their insecurities. Comments on height, sexuality, physical appearance, car size, finances, and driving are the norm.
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My friends couldnt understand why I would drive for Uber, I got a lot of crap for driving for a bit. Now they all seem used to it but I guess the nature of the job does make some people look down on you. their loss, I am the one with the extra cash
