Uber Drivers Can Rate You: 9 Irrational Things You Do
By: Phil Roberts
Tags: Ratings, Self-awareness, Taxi, Self Improvement, Uber

4 out of 5, ok?

It was a chance conversation in the back of the cab. I discovered the Uber driver could give me a 5-star rating.

Yes, I was genuinely shocked.

What is this new world? Reverse reviews or what?

But I started doing and thinking most of these things, and I have no idea why.

Did you?

1- You start to think the Uber driver is creepy.

Of course, they aren’t. It’s your imagination.

But

It’s 11 PM, and you just got home.

You walk inside after saying bye to a handsome looking driver, having watched him park around the corner while he looked at you through his rear-view mirror the whole time (doesn’t that make you uncomfortable?).

You check your social media apps out of habit while going to the bathroom.

You get a notification asking you to rate your experience with Uber. Although you know many people would gladly give 5 stars without hesitation, you aren’t one of them. But why?

Rebellion takes over after all he was staring. But, of course, he was checking; you got in, ok, right?

2- You become a storyteller.

You realise the Uber driver can give you a 5-star rating online for the ride, so you start to reflect on the journey as if it was your job.

You become a narrator making every bit of the trip a scene from a movie.

Of course, making sure the Uber driver is having a good time.

You wonder if it will be four out of 5, and then what?

What if the driver was hovering just above four out of five. Terrifying, right?

But seeing the pressure of those scores brought home how big a role ratings play in our lives online. So your nervous chatter gets even worse.

So you talk about the weather.

3- You suddenly realise the Uber driver knows where you live.

You’ve just had a great night out and are feeling pretty chuffed with yourself.

So you decide to get an Uber home, but something suddenly strikes you when you arrive at your house.

The driver can see where you live. On the one hand, it’s not that big of a deal — how much trouble could he cause?

But on the other hand.

What if he gives your details to someone else, and they come round? What if he takes a photo and posts it online for everyone to see?

There’s no way to know for sure, so you do what any sensible person would: panic and Google “how to get my Uber rating.”

If you’re in this situation (or have been in it), don’t worry — we’ve all been there. And luckily, there are ways to protect your score online.

Of course, he is a very decent human being, and it is all in your head, right?

4- You become a better person generally.

When you realise the Uber driver can give you a score online, it’s time to think about how you behave in the real world.

You promise to change all your past bad scores for the next ride if he gives you a 5 out of 5.

It is demanding, but it feels like you have improved your karma.

5- You start to envy giving a top score.

After all, your boss never gives you one.

You start to bargain with yourself that if he can just drive you to the exact location where you need to be, then a 4 out of 5 will do.

You become depressed about life in general.

6- You start to think the whole world is against you.

So you get into an Uber and realise the guy giving you a ride home can give you a score.

So, naturally, you’re not going to be happy about it. But it gets worse.

You start to sulk at the injustice. Then, when you get home, you are in a bad mood.

7- You can’t pick up anything you may have left behind.

This includes bottles of water, cans of coke or anything else that might be left behind by either the driver or you.

I mean, he might think you had stolen it and score you for the very act of theft even when it was the secret can of cola under your coat jacket.

8- You become obsessive

Always keep your phone with you. Make sure it’s not in the car with the driver.

You keep repeating this until you reach your destination.

Now that is just weird, right?

9- You start to google frantically on your mobile.

You google “what is my uber rating.”

You google “uber rating.”

You google “does Uber driver see your rating.”

You google, “how do I know if my uber rating is good?”

You then ask the driver.

So there is an upside.

The Uber driver is perfect, and this is part of your development as a human

You question yourself as a passenger. And that is a good thing, right?

Ultimately, it’s all about awareness.

While the Uber driver case might be an extreme example, there are countless others out there — from hotel reviews to buying second-hand goods, you should always check online reviews before committing to a purchase.

But now they are rating you as well.

Or maybe just go back to cash. Now there is a thought. It was all so anonymous.

I’m a content producer and presenter at Lymm Radio UK. So get an Uber and pay a visit.