Fellow Bay Area Californians—Thoughts About Uber Drivers in San Fran?

[Guest]

So, I’m going to make this a multiple choice poll.

 

I’ve noticed, since I moved here, that 90% of my Uber and Lyft drivers usually don’t speak and almost ALWAYS have their radio turned off. I usually bring my AirPods with me, but it’s so uncomfortable just riding in silence for 40+ minutes. 
 

Yes, there’s a language barrier that I’ve noticed (most of my drivers have either been Southeast Asian or Chinese), and usually if someone at least speaks French or Spanish (mostly Spanish) I can at least carry out a conversation but I don’t speak Arabic, Farsi or Mandarin, so pleasantries aren’t really an option. 
 

How do you feel about long Uber (or Lyft) rides where the driver doesn’t speak English, talk and/or not play music? Do you care? Does it make you feel awkward or uncomfortable?

Discuss 
 

Spoiler

**Also, the Caltrain & Bart are so superior and MUCH cheaper

Spoiler

***Side-note: the only reason I’m taking an Uber back is because I took the wrong train and ended up in the wrong city and didn’t have the patience to wait for another train going Northbound

 

This thread was inspired by my current trip back home, after being in LA for New Years. 

[Power love]

It’s probably best not to speak to the drivers. You should mind your own business & affairs. 
 

Being nosy ain’t it

Edited January 2, 2023 by Power love

[Cryptique]

I'm not from there but i prefer music (FM) over small talks..

 

If RADIO is not ON, i'll just put earphones on and listen to music on Spotify

[cyclone]

Theyre expensive chile.

[Timber]

Oof, I wouldn’t know. I drive everywhere.

[Mellark]

I visited the Bay Area a year ago and I was really surprised how Ubers are cheaper there (somewhat) and quick. I use Uber a lot and it doesn't really bother me, makes things calmer when they are quiet but it gives me the ick when they are being nosey about my life acting like they know me personally. 

 

BART is cheaper, but it would be ideal if there was a pass for it.

Edited January 2, 2023 by Mellark

[Archetype]

I rarely ever talk to Uber drivers in SF.  Drivers in SF always want to tell you their life story and show you photos of their family.  That’s great and all but I really just want to get to my destination in peace.  It’s not like in NYC where I can get in and out of an Uber without saying or hearing a single word.

[Orsay]

I usually get lucky and get quiet drivers nnn. If they don't have radio on I just put in my headphones, say thank you when the rides done. If they make a little polite conversation I go with it and am generally friendly but if they get weird I just give curt responses to show I'm not interested lol

 

But I try my best to be a public transit heaux, though it can be hard in the East Bay if you aren't close to BART

[LCTV]

I didnt know there were BAYtrl'ers on here

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Power love said:

It’s probably best not to speak to the drivers. You should mind your own business & affairs. 
 

Being nosy ain’t it

4 hours ago, Cryptique said:

I'm not from there but i prefer music (FM) over small talks..

 

If RADIO is not ON, i'll just put earphones on and listen to music on Spotify

@Cryptique I usually put my AirPods in and browse the web to pass the time, but tbh I like the background noise of the radio on just because it eliminates the awkward silence. I don’t know how to explain it. 

 

 

4 hours ago, Timber said:

Oof, I wouldn’t know. I drive everywhere.

@Timber I sold my car before I moved to the bay. The way these hills are set up? No ma’am! But I do miss the convenience of having a car…with that said, driving in the city? No thank you. 

4 hours ago, Mellark said:

I visited the Bay Area a year ago and I was really surprised how Ubers are cheaper there (somewhat) and quick. I use Uber a lot and it doesn't really bother me, makes things calmer when they are quiet but it gives me the ick when they are being nosey about my life acting like they know me personally. 

 

BART is cheaper, but it would be ideal if there was a pass for it.

@Mellark they have day passes for the BART and the Caltrain now 

 

I agree though, if they’re being too intrusive or act like they know me personally, then it feels weird but if the conversation happens organically and I’m in the mood, then I don’t mind. 

3 hours ago, Archetype said:

I rarely ever talk to Uber drivers in SF.  Drivers in SF always want to tell you their life story and show you photos of their family.  That’s great and all but I really just want to get to my destination in peace.  It’s not like in NYC where I can get in and out of an Uber without saying or hearing a single word.

@Archetype there are some points you have made. For me, personally, even when I want to get to my destination in peace—without fail—an Uber driver of middle-eastern descent (most of the time) will see my name on the app and before I even get a chance to speak, I always get “Oh, ______ is an Arabic name. Where are you from?” and then become this whole thing and all I want to do is just ride in peace. No story times or explanations about my name or where I’m from

2 hours ago, Orsay said:

I usually get lucky and get quiet drivers nnn. If they don't have radio on I just put in my headphones, say thank you when the rides done. If they make a little polite conversation I go with it and am generally friendly but if they get weird I just give curt responses to show I'm not interested lol

 

But I try my best to be a public transit heaux, though it can be hard in the East Bay if you aren't close to BART

@Orsay I knew you were my good sis! Caltrain is SUPERIOR though—either way, that Clipper Card MONTHLY pass has been a GODSEND, cause chile….

2 hours ago, LCTV said:

I didnt know there were BAYtrl'ers on here

@LCTV we in here!

4 hours ago, cyclone said:

Theyre expensive chile.

@cyclone welcome to the Bay

[Jotham]

I live in the SF Bay Area and mainly use BART. However, I did live in SoCal before, where I'd occasionally use Uber. I usually just listened to my AirPods so it didn't really matter whether the driver had music or not, but I usually prefer the driver doesn't talk since I don't really enjoy small talk.

[Dolce Vita]

i was in the SF area visiting family a few months ago and generally every driver i had was friendly, if they want to talk with you and seem cool i don’t mind conversations since it makes the ride more enjoyable for me. however if they’re quiet or you get the vibe that they just want to drive in silence, im fine with my AirPods listening to music anyways 

Edited January 2, 2023 by Dolce Vita

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Jotham said:

I live in the SF Bay Area and mainly use BART. However, I did live in SoCal before, where I'd occasionally use Uber. I usually just listened to my AirPods so it didn't really matter whether the driver had music or not, but I usually prefer the driver doesn't talk since I don't really enjoy small talk.

 

47 minutes ago, Dolce Vita said:

i was in the SF area visiting family a few months ago and generally every driver i had was friendly, if they want to talk with you and seem cool i don’t mind conversations since it makes the ride more enjoyable for me. however if they’re quiet or you get the vibe that they just want to drive in silence, im fine with my AirPods listening to music anyways 

Points were made—I think I’m just so used to “filling the space” and having to be extroverted around friends, that with strangers it’s almost uncomfortable to just be “still” and “silent”. The vibe out here is also just soooo different—especially being from the Midwest 

[Sergi91]

The last time I used an Uber driver in SF was for the 2020 election night. I don’t mind when they play music or talk to me. Most of the time they stay quiet unlike the drivers in Vegas. 

[Guest]

9 hours ago, Sergi91 said:

The last time I used an Uber driver in SF was for the 2020 election night. I don’t mind when they play music or talk to me. Most of the time they stay quiet unlike the drivers in Vegas. 

Chileeee the Uber drivers in Vegas will talk your EAR off

[fauxtography]

Don't know why this is location specific

 

I dont mind talking if I'm by myself and the uber driver makes the first conversation. I DO NOT like when I'm with multiple people and the uber driver tries talking to the

group.

 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, fauxtography said:

Don't know why this is location specific

 

I dont mind talking if I'm by myself and the uber driver makes the first conversation. I DO NOT like when I'm with multiple people and the uber driver tries talking to the

group.

 

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Fellow Bay Area Californians