It’s such an easy application to download. Just enter a pick-up location with a destination, and hop into a stranger’s car then wait for several blocks until being dropped off more than likely on the opposite side of the road as needed. Anyone can sign up to be a driver, in fact I get email invitations daily. Uber drivers know where their riders live, what they’ll be doing and have access to their telephone information but most of us don’t even think twice about it because it is so convenient! We use Uber for various reasons, whether it’s getting to an appointment or coming home from a late-night party nevertheless, riding in an Uber can be an interesting experience that can often start with the driver.
Uber tries to provide its customers with excellent service and even has patrons rate their drivers at the end of the ride so drivers will at least know never to accept a ride request from that person again. My favorite part about riding with Uber is seeing who is behind that wheel. This sets the tone for the rest of the night. In my experience, I have had so many different drivers which have been great but it never fails, there are always those special ones that make a lasting impression.
The One that Makes You Fear for Your Life
The moment their picture pops up on that phone, the goosebumps take over. This requires a screenshot sent to friends and family for evidence in case this ride should not end well. At times like these, its best to Uber with a buddy. Let’s not forget the time the Uber driver went on a shooting rampage in Michigan, or more recently the incident when another crashed into a home in Massachusetts. Better safe than sorry!
The One Who Looks Nothing like their Picture
It’s time to update the Uber profile drivers! Based on current photos much of time I am looking for a male driver with a full head of hair, a bright white smile, and whose somewhere in his late 20’s to early 30’s. When I step into the car half the time they are bald, missing teeth, already have grandchildren, and are not even the same ethnicity as shown in the picture. This isn’t a dating app; I’m not going to swipe left based on looks so don’t be afraid to take a new headshot.
The Health-Conscious One
This is that driver that takes it upon themselves to see that we all get our daily dose of exercise.They call looking for their rider, pretending as if they can’t be found.Meanwhile, they’re parked two streets over on the other side of the road from the pickup point and have the audacity to ask “what took so long?”. There are even those that drop off a few blocks short of the destination which, by the way, should never require a passenger to utilize a GPS to continue their trip as I’ve unfortunately experienced. Sorry, but those drivers have no chance at getting higher than a three-star rating. I don’t pay to walk!
The One Who Tries Too Hard
This is the soccer mom minivan with the dimmed lights, bottles of water available in the cup holders, and mints on the leather seats. They offer the auxiliary chord, check the temperature, and perhaps even hold the door open like a personal chauffeur. They pride themselves on their hospitality and they dream about 5-star ratings. Uber isn’t just their side job, it’s a way of life.
The One Who Gets to Know You
After a long, difficult day most people just expect a quiet ride home when suddenly the find themselves bombarded by an inquisitive driver. What brings you to this side of town? Where do you go to school? What do your parent’s do for a living? Where are you from? Do you have any pets? What are your goals in life? … Not to be an Uber driver. Don’t get me wrong small talk can be nice but we don’t need to know each other’s life story.
The One Who Asks for Directions
There is nothing I love more than paying someone to get me some place and they don’t know how to get there so they ask me. If I knew the best way to get there I would have done it myself. I feel bad for the taxi drivers who spend years studying the layout of the city to perform their jobs correctly while many Uber drivers have a GPS on their phones telling them exactly where to go and they still can’t follow along.
The One Who Was Born to Entertain
Getting into the car is like stepping into a karaoke bar. The music is blasting and the driver singing along to their favorite song even trying to get the rest of the car to sing as well. Don’t think the backseat is blind to those dance moves, in fact they’ll probably steal them while out tonight at the club.
The One Who Hates Being Home
This driver will frequently get phone calls from his wife or girlfriend asking where he’s been or to pick up this and that on the way home. They probably think he’s working his 9 to 5 while he is probably just doing anything he can to avoid them. This guy usually takes the long way and is happy to accept those drives that take him far from the path.
The One Who Can’t Get Home Soon Enough
Finally, it’s the last ride of the night and this guy is ready to go home. While he informs his passengers all about his plans for watching Sunday football and how long he's worked all week, he is more than happy to finish his drive in a timely manner by speeding through every light and taking shortcuts most don’t know exist.
Overall Uber thanks its customers on its website by saying, “your journeys inspire us.” No Uber, thank you! Thank you to all your drivers for spicing up our daily trips. You never fail to give us a story to share.
