Uber Driver Sob Stories

intrepid27

Well-Known Member
Oct 9, 2006
6,011
5,079
113
Marion, IA
I probably only average 4 or 5 trips per month but it seem like the last 4 months 80% of my Uber drivers have some financial sob story. "I just had to put on new tires...." or " "My partner has throat cancer...".

I'm guessing they are inadvertently lobbying for tips but it drives me crazy. Does anyone else experience this?
 

harimad

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2016
7,731
12,320
113
52
Illinois
I try to strike up a conversation with the driver. I have a 4.97 rating, so must be doing something right
I had no idea that the drivers rated us. I checked mine out and I've got a 5.00. That's good to know, I'll bet if you have a lower rating, you'll have a harder time getting picked up for rides.
 

mapnerd

Well-Known Member
Aug 17, 2006
4,255
2,682
113
47
Ames
I had no idea that the drivers rated us. I checked mine out and I've got a 5.00. That's good to know, I'll bet if you have a lower rating, you'll have a harder time getting picked up for rides.
How do you check your score?
 
  • Agree
Reactions: isutrevman

coolerifyoudid

Well-Known Member
Feb 8, 2013
17,326
27,046
113
KC
I've also never used Uber yet, but I've had plenty of cabbies and hair stylists pander for tips. I assumed it was part of the game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BoxsterCy

heitclone

Well-Known Member
Jun 21, 2009
16,629
14,433
113
45
Way up there
Lots of people working for tips do this, I had a waitress last week tell me about her son with special needs, her mom with cancer, her relatives in PR dealing with the hurricane recovery and her PTSD from serving over seas. Each trip to our table she had another story. It didn't bother me but at some point it felt like we were being pranked or something.
 
  • Friendly
Reactions: CycloneDaddy

HGoat1

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Sep 25, 2018
894
1,962
93
Denver, Colorado
I've experienced this, but I generally just stick to a 20% tip regardless.

I thought this thread was going a different direction, about uber horror stories. I recently had an uber driver whom told me she had recently had foot surgery, and had her pedal foot in a boot. She was driving very sporadically. I almost told her to pull over on the interstate because I was so uncomfortable, I wish I would have.That probably deserves its own thread.
 
Last edited:

Bigman38

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
Jul 27, 2010
20,237
20,394
113
38
Council Bluffs, IA
I’ve never had that happen, honestly might make me less likely to tip unless it really felt earnest.

I did have a guy talk about his past jobs and how he ended up in prison. That was as interesting as they’ve been.
 

alarson

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 15, 2006
59,612
74,457
113
Ankeny
Are you being serious?

1 star is definitely extreme, but drivers should definitely take the hint if you're not talking or just giving one word 'uh huh' type answers.

I'll usually talk with the drivers, but i've had some times, particularly if i was fetching a car i'd left downtown the night before, i wasnt in a particularly talkative mood but they wanted to talk my ear off
 
Last edited:
  • Agree
Reactions: SCNCY and HGoat1

mapnerd

Well-Known Member
Aug 17, 2006
4,255
2,682
113
47
Ames
I just opened the app on my phone, and tapped the three horizontal lines in the upper left hand corner. My profile showed up, and the star rating was just under my name.
Thanks I see it now. I’m dumb. Now I need to find out which jagoff gave me under 5 stars. I’m at 4.96. I’m a very wonderful passenger.
 
  • Funny
  • Optimistic
Reactions: wxman1 and Cyched