Why nobody likes Uber Pool – rant
I’m in perfect physical shape. Spherical that is. I’m a fat guy. Close to obese. You can sugarcoat it as much as you like, but when I watch myself in the mirror, I’m just fat; very fat. I don’t complain about it. It’s a fact.
When using the subway I need a seat and a half if I squeeze in it.
My eyes follow, down the rabbit hole, the path to the small seat provided by the almighty TTC. It’s like looking down into the abyss of this physical realm’s decrepitude. I bring my shoulders forward and center to the point I can’t breathe in an effort to occupy as little space as possible. I hate to be an inconvenience for those innocents that share the same nightmare of public transportation with me.
Every time somebody tries to sit next to me I get that disapproving/disgusted/half-angry look. And usually the person tries to sit down and pushes me although you can see clearly it’s impossible to do it. Based to the rules that govern this Universe’s physics I can’t make myself smaller.
It’s not my fault.
The one who should be blamed for this is the government to which you pay taxes like a hardworking, obedient citizen you are. They decided that every person in the subway train needs space to seat for only one but cheek. And don’t get me started on manspreading! Have you ever tried to seat on your balls!? It hurts like fracking hell! I can’t get my legs closer unless I’m truly passionate about living in a world of pain. If your body language is starting to show unjustified hate for my person, I prefer to stand up and leave enough space for you and your ego.
The same applies for airplanes.
I see people huffing and puffing about the person in front of them reclining their seat. It’s stupid. Everybody wants maximum of comfort based on what’s mechanically possible to do with an airplane seat. Blame your government! Because they are the one to give subsidies to airplane builders from your taxes and don’t impose minimum space rules to serve the people that are actually paying for those planes.
Today was the day when everybody requested Uber Pool rides. I know, it’s cheaper and is complete hell for the driver. The moment a second person gets in the car you, as the first passenger, start puffing. Although I did my due diligence and explain you requested an Uber Pool ride and we might get more riders in the car until we reach your destination. You say it’s OK and keep huffing afterwards.
The second rider is a nice lady with a baby. Of course the baby seat will be in the middle and your discomfort will increase. But your brain doesn’t make the simple and logical connection between a cheap ride and the decrease in comfort. No. You blame the driver. You’re not going to complain to Uber about this service not being up to your standards. No! You’re going to give me a one or two stars review and called it a good day because you took vengeance for your discomfort.
Your discomfort means that, for a small amount of money, compared with a taxi, you get to ride in my clean car, have a bottle of water provided for you, and all the care I can provide for you as your personal driver. And, while having all this, you still choose to cut a few dollars from the payment for this service and request an Uber Pool ride. And punish me for your choice.
Do you know what that one star review does for me?
It’s the difference between me having a livelihood or not. You swiped and click because you were angry at the wrong person. An Uber employee will just click and block me out of the system. I’m out of work for a few good hours because you decided to punish me for your choices.
While you read this and decide I’m wrong, please calculate how many five stars reviews I need to reach again the minimum average which will allow me to make a living. This is not about liking something on Facebook and moving on! Even if the virtual world floods the reality with new ways of interacting and evaluating those interactions, you should use your brain to understand the difference. This is real life and your actions have real implications you should consider.
And next time get a taxi!
Short disclaimer: The Journal of an Uber Driver is a work of fiction.
Long disclaimer: The literary exercise to define a nowadays character for a novel led me to create these 25 blog posts. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Any opinion expressed about Uber should not be interpreted as having a negative connotation. I admire the company as an incumbent of the platform economy and I am a registered Uber driver for research purposes.