Hay, it's your Husk. How many of y'all have ever rode in a Uber? For those who don't know, Uber is basically the modern-day taxi. For the past few weeks, I've been taking an Uber to get to work. Most of the time, the drivers are friendly and cool. But sometimes...you'll get one of those rides. If you Uber'd before, what was your most interesting experience? I'll share mine:

If not, do you plan on taking one in the future?

I don't know why but every Uber driver I get tries to tell me their life story. The young man who just moved and is looking for a career, the lady whose granddaughter introduced her to Uber, the grumpy dad who misses his college days. Maybe I look like a therapist.

I think my favorite Uber ride has been the stern looking Russian lady who intimidated my friends enough that we rode half an hour in complete silence. After we got out we whispered instead of talking for a bit.

I've never rode in an Uber, and I hope not to be pushed into a situation where that is necessary.

Between their generally poor treatment of employees, data breaches, disregard for user and driver privacy, callous attempts to squash competition, and their mere existence as a response to criminally poor public transportation infrastructure, I'd rather forgo a little convenience and vote with my wallet. Growing up in a country with higher standards of safety and privacy, all these factors and more are disturbing to me.

If absolutely necessary, I'd buckle and use them in lieu of taxis or buses to get out of a pickle, but it's an option just slightly more attractive than hitchhiking.

Strongbird said:
I've never rode in an Uber, and I hope not to be pushed into a situation where that is necessary.

Between their generally poor treatment of employees, data breaches, disregard for user and driver privacy, callous attempts to squash competition, and their mere existence as a response to criminally poor public transportation infrastructure, I'd rather forgo a little convenience and vote with my wallet. Growing up in a country with higher standards of safety and privacy, all these factors and more are disturbing to me.

If absolutely necessary, I'd buckle and use them in lieu of taxis or buses to get out of a pickle, but it's an option just slightly more attractive than hitchhiking.

Thing is, public transportation like Buses and Taxis is supposed to be subsidized to prevent competition. That Uber struck up despite this suggests somebody wasn't doing things right.

leomole said:
I don't know why but every Uber driver I get tries to tell me their life story. The young man who just moved and is looking for a career, the lady whose granddaughter introduced her to Uber, the grumpy dad who misses his college days. Maybe I look like a therapist.

I think my favorite Uber ride has been the stern looking Russian lady who intimidated my friends enough that we rode half an hour in complete silence. After we got out we whispered instead of talking for a bit.

I usually ask what I like to call "the Uber questions."

• "Hi, how are you?"
• "How was your day?"
• "How long have you been an Uber driver?"
• "What was your craziest Uber ride?"
• "Met anyone out of the ordinary?"
• "Weather sure is cold/hot today, huh?"

Asking 2-3 of those would get them rambling all the way until I get dropped off.

DEADASS.

I think taxi is actually cheaper on some routes these days unless you get a 50% off Uber digital coupon.

I already have the public bus. And that costs me a little more than a dollar. Five minutes of walking and $1.25 is all it costs me to get from my house to pretty much anywhere in the county. And getting back is just another $1.25. I'm relatively certain I could not get from my house to whatever location I need to get to for $2.50 with an Uber. If I could either it's close enough to walk, or I'm technically exploiting the Uber due to labor laws.