Socially Clueless - when passengers just don't get it.

Today I read a post by another rideshare driver about a passenger who got into the car and started going through the glove box.  When asked, the passenger said she was looking for a phone charger.  The driver, understandably, was taken aback and asked what fellow drivers would do.  Most riders would understand that when the driver asked the passenger what she was looking for it was a hint that she was in unwanted territory.  That's a social cue.

A social cue is either a verbal or nonverbal hint, either positive or negative, that can guide the interaction and even conversation in the car. For example, if you ask your passenger if he / she is comfortable, that's a cue that they are your guest and should feel free to ask for what they need. If you ask if they would like to sit up front it's a hint that they may feel free to have a more "friend like" interaction and converse.

There's something about using your personal vehicle as a people mover. It is, after all YOUR car.  But for Uber you are commissioning it's use for, we hope, a higher purpose.  Unfortunately, not every passenger appreciates the fine line between "my car" and "your ride."

How do you know when your passenger isn't savvy to social cues?  They attempt to change the radio station without knowing how to operate the radio. (Please no, it's satellite) They play their iTunes loud enough to blow your speakers or, worse yet, directly from their phone placed right at your ear, "How does this tune sound?" - Uh I'm driving here.....

Regrettably, even basic etiquette is also ignored:

Please, have some water, it's hot out there - but they left the half full bottle in the car, for the next passenger. Ugh! 

Join you for a drink, at your house . . . I don't drink and drive (you know that uber thing right?) 

And at what point is it okay (in anyone's book) to make out in the back seat while in such close quarters.  This isn't a limo folks, can hear every moan just fine thanks! 

Not to mention the passengers who want to hug you upon leaving, as if you've given them some life changing experience.  Okay maybe it was life changing riding in my car.

So, what can you do, short of stopping and ousting the offending oafs?

Start by being proactive about your expectations. If you are professional in your manner and attire then people will automatically think of your ride as being a cut above the average transit services.

Keep your car exceptionally clean and organized on the inside.  The cleanliness actually discourages people from leaving their trash. Well most decent people anyway. I've been surprised on occasion.

Leave conversations in the back seat alone but the minute things seem to be getting out of hand ask if they need more air.  Do they want you to change the station. Stress that you would like them to be comfortable.  And if that hint doesn't make an impression then they are really uncouth (look it up, it's a real word).

Every ride is different, every rider is different. Just remember, every ride ends, usually in a very short time.  Just breathe slowly, focus on the road and try to be as pleasant as possible until you reach the destination and pronounce this ride O V E R.

Would love to hear more about your awkward encounters - feel free to comment :)