Should You Chat With Your Rideshare Driver? Experts Weigh In

The Unavoidable Conversation

We’ve all been there. After a long day of travel, you’re just one Uber ride away from finally reaching your destination. You’re ready to mindlessly scroll on Instagram or maybe even get lost in an audio book, when your rideshare driver pipes up with that opening question: “What’re you in town for?” Suddenly, you’re on the hook for 30 minutes of small talk you didn’t sign up for.

As a travel writer, I’ve taken a great deal of Ubers and Lyfts to and from airports, hotels, and everywhere in between. In some cases, I’ve had great conversations with friendly and knowledgeable rideshare drivers who have acted as unofficial ambassadors to the cities and towns they call home. Other times, we’ve simply coexisted in comfortable silence. And still others, I’ve been so drained from a day of chatting that I’ve longed for the kind of driver who only wanted to exchanges pleasantries.

But what’s the proper etiquette behind chatting it up with your rideshare driver? We asked two etiquette experts their thoughts around how best to approach the situation. Here’s what they had to say.

Meet the Experts

Jackie Vernon-Thompson is a certified etiquette expert and the founder and owner of From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette. Jackie is based in Sunrise, Florida.

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and the founder of The Protocol School of Texas. Diane is based in San Antonio, Texas.

Should You Make Small Talk With Your Rideshare Driver?

Both of our etiquette experts agree that it’s certainly not necessary to make small talk during the entire ride, but it is essential that you greet your driver. From there, the amount of communication you have with your driver is up to you.

Gottsman likens it to conversations made in other public spaces like an elevator. “You have to read the room,” she says. “Most drivers want to be accommodating, and some are more talkative than others. It’s up to you as far as how much communication you would like.”

Vernon-Thompson agrees, but recommends exchanging a few pleasantries in addition to a friendly greeting. “Engaging in a brief, pleasant exchange communicates something meaningful: I see you, and I appreciate the service you are providing,” she says.

She also recommends addressing your driver by name. “It’s a simple way of acknowledging their presence and reminding them that they, too, matter,” she says.

What Happens If You Don’t Want To Chat But Your Driver Does?

Vernon-Thompson and Gottsman say it’s perfectly fine to do something else while in the car with a rideshare driver, even if they want to talk. You conduct business, read a book, or scroll on your phone—none are considered rude to do in their presence. However, if a driver is trying to make conversation, it isn’t appropriate to just ignore them or be short.

“If your driver wants to start a conversation and you need to catch up on emails before your next meeting, you can say ‘If you’d excuse me, I am going to catch up on some business,’” recommends Gottsman. “Keep your tone of voice friendly.”

The same applies if you’d like to open a book. The important part is that you excuse yourself in a friendly manner, and they should get the picture.

Is It Rude To Talk On The Phone While In The Car?

The short answer is no, it’s not rude to talk on the phone. However, there are some parameters around how and what you should talk about. Both Gottsman and Vernon-Thompson say talking on speaker phone is a definite no-no. You should also refrain from using profanity or engaging in highly private or inappropriate conversations that could potentially make your driver feel uncomfortable.

“Courtesy calls for discretion and respect for the shared space,” says Vernon-Thompson. “Being mindful of your language, volume, and the nature of your conversation ensures the ride remains pleasant and respectful for everyone involved.”

By following a couple simple guidelines, both you and your rideshare driver can have a pleasant ride together. Just don’t forget to say thank you and tip once you’ve reached your destination!