[ZenUber]

I’ll preface this by pointing out that the pax (a couple) and myself are all white.

Couple gets in. Pleasant conversation including laughter. I thought the guy was oddly short with her a few times, but whatever. Then he say something to the effect of: some N way of doing things. It just rolled out of his mouth like it was an expression he used often. She shushed him, but he blew it off and kept talking. It was like she shushed him because she was embarrassed at what I might think. And it sounded like a role she was accustomed to playing.

So for the rest of the ride I’m thinking, If I’m gonna downrate him, how much? I’m sure some drivers out there would instantly 1* them and would appreciate if I did the same. Then I realized, the account was in her name. So I didn’t rate.

Just curious what everyone’s view is on this.

 

[Coachman]

I don't have really high expectations from my riders. As long as they're not abusive to me I don't worry about much.

 

[goneubering]

Total jerk. I would give one star and then let support know it was a friend of the passenger.

 

[flyntflossy10]

As long as they're not abusive to me

bingo. if words or expressions arent directed at me, why should i care
i hear awful things said about every race, from every race.
its amazing how invisible you become when a stranger enters your vehicle

 

[JohnnyBravo836]

I had a group of two couples get in at bar closing and, as I hear a conversation that is already underway, one guy is telling the other something to the effect that "the neighborhood I grew up in is sh!t now -- it's all N-word now". Oddly enough, that wasn't even the most offensive thing I heard from this group before they got to their destination.

There's not much you can do other than 1* them; the good thing about it is that people like this are so stupid they often don't even realize that they get rated by drivers, so they aren't even aware that there's anything to "retaliate" for when you do.

 

[btone31]

As a black man, you get one warning to stop using that word (regardless of your race). Happens again, ride over and reported to Uber/Lyft.

 

[JohnnyBravo836]

As a black man, you get one warning to stop using that word (regardless of your race). Happens again, ride over and reported to Uber/Lyft.

Obviously, when black people use the word when referring to each other, it has different connotations than it does when whites use the word to refer to blacks. As you indicate, some black people take offense at the use of it by other blacks (this is sometimes, but not always, a generational thing). So out of curiosity, I've got to ask: when you tell black riders that you don't want them using that word, do they immediately respect your request? Do they apologize to you for having used it?

 

[Nycmaster1997]

I'll preface this by pointing out that the pax (a couple) and myself are all white.

Couple gets in. Pleasant conversation including laughter. I thought the guy was oddly short with her a few times, but whatever. Then he say something to the effect of: some N way of doing things. It just rolled out of his mouth like it was an expression he used often. She shushed him, but he blew it off and kept talking. It was like she shushed him because she was embarrassed at what I might think. And it sounded like a role she was accustomed to playing.

So for the rest of the ride I'm thinking, If I'm gonna downrate him, how much? I'm sure some drivers out there would instantly 1* them and would appreciate if I did the same. Then I realized, the account was in her name. So I didn't rate.

Just curious what everyone's view is on this.

You have earned the gold medal ? for the most sensitive driver of the year!

 

[SuzeCB]

I'll preface this by pointing out that the pax (a couple) and myself are all white.

Couple gets in. Pleasant conversation including laughter. I thought the guy was oddly short with her a few times, but whatever. Then he say something to the effect of: some N way of doing things. It just rolled out of his mouth like it was an expression he used often. She shushed him, but he blew it off and kept talking. It was like she shushed him because she was embarrassed at what I might think. And it sounded like a role she was accustomed to playing.

So for the rest of the ride I'm thinking, If I'm gonna downrate him, how much? I'm sure some drivers out there would instantly 1* them and would appreciate if I did the same. Then I realized, the account was in her name. So I didn't rate.

Just curious what everyone's view is on this.

The thing is, while you may be white, the pax have absolutely what race/creed/religion/whatever your spouse/kids/family are. If they wouldn't have said the same thing if you were black, it would only be because they were afraid you'd kick their donkeys.

It boils down to them not caring about you or what your situation might be. You're not even human to them.

It actually becomes an insult to you, too.

 

[btone31]

Obviously, when black people use the word when referring to each other, it has different connotations than it does when whites use the word to refer to blacks. As you indicate, some black people take offense at the use of it by other blacks (this is sometimes, but not always, a generational thing). So out of curiosity, I've got to ask: when you tell black riders that you don't want them using that word, do they immediately respect your request? Do they apologize to you for having used it?

I haven't had this situation pop up yet. Most of my passengers are white, Asian, or Hispanic. When I do pick up blacks, I haven't heard them use the word in my car. I have had some whites and Hispanics use that word, but apologized when I call them out on it.

 

[JohnnyBravo836]

I haven't had this situation pop up yet. Most of my passengers are white, Asian, or Hispanic. When I do pick up blacks, I haven't heard them use the word in my car. I have had some whites and Hispanics use that word, but apologized when I call them out on it.

I suppose they get at least some partial credit for being respectful enough to apologize for it -- after having been stupid enough to assume that you'd be OK with it.

It's no excuse, but there are some circles in which people think it's cool to casually use the word -- typically young people, but not always. When I've heard young black riders use the word (repeatedly) among themselves, that kind of doesn't even count in my mind; it's not at all the same to my ears as when white people use the word. It might really piss off their parents and grandparents when they hear it, though.

 

[Uber's Guber]

Then he say something to the effect of: some N way of doing things. It just rolled out of his mouth like it was an expression he used often. Just curious what everyone's view is on this.

Kinda like when Uber drivers who don't get a tip will say "that paxhole gypped me" or "that paxhole ***** me." Those expressions are used without even realizing there could be racial overtones to their expressions. Don't assume the Uber driver using that expression is any more racist then the African-American who calls another African-American the "N" word.

 

[TemptingFate]

Had a white guy ask me, "Where do all the n.'s live? We install burglar bars in New Jersey because of all the n..s." His buddy was embarrassed and told him to shut up.
White pax who use the n word are obviously racist. Liberal white pax know its taboo.

Black pax on the other hand use the n word freely, even as a term of endearment, usually not in a derogatory way.
I also hear black pax describe others as light skin or dark skin. One woman said she only liked light skin n..s. Another woman was trying to identify someone to her friend as, "that dark skinned n.. at the party last night."
Doesn't seem as racist when black pax use the n word though maybe it is...

 

[Roadmasta]

I'm not racist I hate everyone equally.

 

[tmart]

That's nothing, I had a black dude passenger who worked at a bar and he had a few drinks for sure, and after about every other joke, or short story it might as well have been Dave Chappelle skit saying it ... "you know what I'm sayin my N????? --- Cracked me up. Still gave him 5 stars.

 

[ZenUber]

I’ve had plenty of young black people in the car who used the N word the same way young white people use the word dude. At first it made me uneasy. But eventually I came to realize It’s just what they call each other. It’s just part of their vernacular.

A few times in my life I’ve come across what I would call hard core, old school racists. People who use the N word as a weapon, with unadulterated hatred. I have no memories in my life, of anyone more repulsive than those.

So this guy in my car today, lies somewhere in between the extremes. He was short with, and disrespectful to the girl he was with. He was more like an ignorant child who didn’t know any better. And she was doing her best to keep him under control. But he was a child in a man’s body, and I think it’s going to take some hard knocks to set him straight. I’m just an Uber driver with the power of some stars.

 

[SJCorolla]

When it comes to rating for a group of pax, it doesn't matter to me whether the account holder was the one who was out of line. There's that saying "you are the company you keep".

There were a couple times when I had to report pax for discrimination. It wasn't just the use of a slur; it was directed at someone in the car during an argument.

 

[tohunt4me]

As a black man, you get one warning to stop using that word (regardless of your race). Happens again, ride over and reported to Uber/Lyft.

MY BLACK PASSENGERS ARE WHO I HEAR THE " "N" word from most.

Now my gay passengers often call each other ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

 

[Zaarc]

I don't really care what they say to each other back there. But I do pay attention, and if i hear a charged word i am usually just quietly bemused by the diversity of my local culture. If I heard something that really rankled me, I might interject, in a friendly manner (always important to remain friends if you want some stars and tips) something like "whoah, really?" What you do or say in that seven minute ride isnt going to change anything. There are childish, ignorant and racist people out there. And they all need rides. If it weren't for them, half of us would be out of work

As for rating them, I am pretty lenient overall, so it would take a lot for me to bother with the two extra screen taps it takes to do anything other than five. Almost everytime i drop someone off i just hit it and say to myself "they were f%@#in fine." Serious TOS violations are worth the bother, but I dont feel like I have to protect other drivers from awkward unpleasantness.

Maybe it was her account because his got cancelled by ratings from horrified drivers.

 

[doyousensehumor]

Some black people refer to each other with the n word.
Some women refer to each other with the B word.
Some gay people refer to each other with the 6 letter F word.

I'm not the PC police. I let them all be.