[NC252]

Do anyone else notice nowadays passengers don't really conversate.
I would consider myself a conversationalist and somewhat of a people person that was one of the things I liked about driving.
But I've noticed within maybe the last 6 months nearly everyone gets in with awkward silence.
And even if a conversation is sparked it just falls off of abruptly, it turns into sudden awkward silence?
My guess is all the craziness going on in the world has people acting weird.
I also think most female pax get in with the attitude their male Uber driver is trying to harm them in some way so they get in with their guards up.
My hypothesis could be wrong but there have definitely have been a shift.

 

[SoOrDrvr]

Do anyone else notice nowadays passengers don't really conversate.
I would consider myself a conversationalist and somewhat of a people person that was one of the things I liked about driving.
But I've noticed within maybe the last 6 months nearly everyone gets in with awkward silence.
And even if a conversation is sparked it just falls off of abruptly, it turns into sudden awkward silence?
My guess is all the craziness going on in the world has people acting weird.
I also think most female pax get in with the attitude their male Uber driver is trying to harm them in some way so they get in with their guards up.
My hypothesis could be wrong but there have definitely have been a shift.

In my experience it tends to be a generational thing. Younger riders will greet politely (most times) then go right to their phones. I find that if I ask a question like "how's your day going?" and get nothing more than a "fine", I know conversation is off the table.

 

[NC252]

In my experience it tends to be a generational thing. Younger riders will greet politely (most times) then go right to their phones. I find that if I ask a question like "how's your day going?" and get nothing more than a "fine", I know conversation is off the table.

You're right I was just about to add the only conversation I get now is from senior citizens or drunk young people who at that point are just obnoxious... I had one last night the guy was about 30 he was actually a airline pilot he was out partying extremely drunk sitting in my front seat leaning in as he stared in my face asking me a million questions and steady of shaking my hand

I finally loosen up and talk to him but it was weird after doing 20 trips of awkward silence

 

[Schmanthony]

I've been driving for 8 years. Some pax want to talk, some don't. I've not noticed any changes in the frequency of either over the years.

 

[mrwhts]

In past when I drove most times the person rarely held any real type of conversation were black people. Many time they were busy yelling at someone on phone or texting angrily.

 

[Schmanthony]

In past when I drove most times the person rarely held any real type of conversation were black people. Many time they were busy yelling at someone on phone or texting angrily.

It must be some kind of vibe they get from you. I drive in the hood in Chicago and in my experience black folks are no more or less likely to want to talk than anyone else. And I'm a white guy. You're not wearing a MAGA hat when you drive, are you?

 

[NC252]

In past when I drove most times the person rarely held any real type of conversation were black people. Many time they were busy yelling at someone on phone or texting angrily.

Wow..😲

 

[NC252]

It must be some kind of vibe they get from you. I drive in the hood in Chicago and in my experience black folks are no more or less likely to want to talk than anyone else. And I'm a white guy. You're not wearing a MAGA hat when you drive, are you?

I would say as of right now in today's climate black men and black women are at odds

Black women have never been talkers when they get into my car usually when I see a black woman I know I can put both of my earbuds in just jam out to my music

But usually white men white women and black dudes Indian men and Hispanics who can speak English always talk

we always get into deep conversations about things for some reason it makes my day go better if I have a few good conversations with people

But lately no white people speak to me, even the black dudes are very quiet nowadays

The foreigners that can speak English still speak

Elderly people still speak

for the most part it's just awkward silence more than anything else

 

[SoOrDrvr]

You're right I was just about to add the only conversation I get now is from senior citizens or drunk young people who at that point are just obnoxious... I had one last night the guy was about 30 he was actually a airline pilot he was out partying extremely drunk sitting in my front seat leaning in as he stared in my face asking me a million questions and steady of shaking my hand

I finally loosen up and talk to him but it was weird after doing 20 trips of awkward silence

Hope he tipped well!

 

[Schmanthony]

I think when it comes to black paxes getting into cars with white drivers, there probably is often a level of hesitation for them. And considering how badly white people have treated black people in this country, both historically and today, I think that's very understandable.

But almost all black people know there are cool white people in the world. They just don't know if you're one of them or not when they get into your car.

A simple "hey, how's it going" is a good start here. But delivery is even more important. If you just mumble it like it's your routine and say it every time, it ain't gonna work. You have to be sincere. You have to act like you are actually asking out of geniune interest, even if you're not. You kinda want to convey "hey I'm just an uber driver, I'm cool, I'll treat you with respect, and if you wanna talk cool, if not that's cool too."

Sometimes after this you get clear signs they DO NOT want to talk. But this is ALL pax, just to be clear. Not just ones with certain skin colors.

If you get a feeling they do seem cool with you, you could try a "how's your day/night" if you want, but again sincerity is key. Personally I prefer putting out a comment about something in our shared environment. Which could be the weather, if it actually is notable. "You been staying out of this heat?" "Have you been enjoying the gorgeous weather?" "Wow you got in the car just before it started pouring, must be your lucky day." Or really anything. In the city there are so many things going on outside the car it's usually pretty easy to find a basic conversation starter.

But yeah, anyway, learning how to project "I'm one of the cool ones" will go a long way to making your passengers more comfortable talking to you. And it you're not one of the cool ones? Well, learn to fake it I guess. Or just keep your mouth shut and do your miserable job in silence, while the pax sits behind you wondering if there's something wrong with you.

 

[BPL]

I don't know why the silence is awkward for you. I'm perfectly happy not to have to answer the same small talk questions for the millionth time.

 

[Pat in SC]

I don't know why the silence is awkward for you. I'm perfectly happy not to have to answer the same small talk questions for the millionth time.

Agreed. I'm perfectly happy doing a trip without conversation after an initial greeting when the pax gets in the car. Maybe 10% or less of my trips involve someone who seems interested in having a conversation and I am fine with that.

 

[NC252]

I don't know why the silence is awkward for you. I'm perfectly happy not to have to answer the same small talk questions for the millionth time.

Normal human beings talk to each other

I know some people are from depressive places where everybody walk around mad and not speaking to each other

But I'm literally from Mayberry

we speak around here

To not speak when you get in and out of my car is rude and disrespectful

If most people don't conversate that's okay

If absolutely no one conversates out of 20 or 30 trips to me that's just weird that 30 people in a row can sit in a small box with someone for 10 15 20 30 minutes and not have a word to say

 

[Schmanthony]

Don't misunderstand me; I'm also 100% fine with no conversation if that's what the pax wants. They want no conversation, I'm happy to give them that. That's not awkward. That's an agreement. What's awkward is the pax who perhaps would like to talk but thinks you're being cold or dismissive or you just don't like them or something. Or there's something wrong with you, you have a chip on your shoulder, etc.

 

[NC252]

Don't misunderstand me; I'm also 100% fine with no conversation if that's what the pax wants. They want no conversation, I'm happy to give them that. That's not awkward. That's an agreement. What's awkward is the pax who perhaps would like to talk but thinks you're being cold or dismissive or you just don't like them or something.

I'm okay with the no conversation also
But I'm going to be honest I didn't want to go here but I see a couple of people responded with this same theme

I think with this big push for white nationalism in America a lot of my white passengers think they're doing their nationalists duty by refusing to talk to me or be friendly to me

I promise you it wasn't like this until Trump was inaugurated

My white passengers was the ones that almost always had good conversations with me male and female

Now they act annoyed even when I say hello how are you doing

It's almost like they think okay let me get into character let me show this guy he's not good enough to even speak to me

And plus with all this p Diddy Bill Cosby r Kelly crap bombarded on television now I think most females see a black driver and thanks stranger danger


I can live with it but it has definitely changed the vibe of this job that everyone gets in with a stranger danger attitude

I'm also noticing nearly everyone uses a pin code now male or female.... I be wanting to tell the guys you know no ones kidnapping men right?

 

[justaGoober]

A whole lot of broad-brush painting here. Every person is different, regardless of color/gender. Try your best not to pre-judge based on color.

I can usually tell if people want to talk based on the tone/inflection in their voice on the initial greeting, if one is offered. If no greeting is offered, I don’t try to extract one - there will be no conversation.

 

[elelegido]

I'm an equal-opportunity dead silencer. White, black, brown, green, blue - whatever colour you are, if you try to engage me in your banal conversation ("So.....has it been busy today?" / "Where do you live" / "What's your craziest rideshare story?" / etc) then I'm shutting you down.

My guess is all the craziness going on in the world has people acting weird.

No, there is no "weird" in talking or not talking during a rideshare ride; this is not a case of right or wrong. Your stance of, "I want people to talk to me and when they won't then they are being weird / abnormal" is incorrect. Some people like to make small talk; others do not. It all comes down to personal preference and nothing more.

When you say that silence is uncomfortable, that means that it is awkward for you. I, when I am an Uber pax, greatly appreciate the Uber driver who does not attempt to ask me questions, and who does not have music on. I appreciate the driver leaving me alone and simply getting on with his driving. I feel no discomfort or awkwardness at all.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

I enjoy controversial situations so I start every ride by saying "Wow, has this country gone full Nazi or what?"

 

[justaGoober]

I'm an equal-opportunity deal silencer. White, black, brown, green, blue - whatever colour you are, if you try to engage me in your banal conversation ("So.....has it been busy today?" / "Where do you live" / "What's your craziest rideshare story?" / etc) then I'm shutting you down.


No, there is no "weird" in talking or not talking during a rideshare ride; it is not a case of right or wrong. Some people like to make small talk; others do not. It all comes down to personal preference and nothing more.

When you say that silence is uncomfortable, that means that it is awkward for you. I, when I am an Uber pax, greatly appreciate the Uber driver who does not attempt to ask me questions, and who does not have music on. I appreciate the driver leaving me alone and simply getting on with his driving. I feel no discomfort or awkwardness at all.

You sound like a fun fella!

 

[elelegido]

You sound like a fun fella!

You big flirt, you.