In a bit of lecturing that is not just smug and annoying but also, uh, telling on his company a bit, Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Tuesday that (shockingly) the secret to getting a better passenger rating was “aggressive” tipping.
Here’s his full quote, according to CNBC:
“You should tip more,” Khosrowshahi said. “I am a very aggressive tipper right now. I pick the highest tip every time. Somehow my rating is getting better. I’m not sure if it’s aggressive tipping. Everybody, tip aggressively.”
Now, it goes without saying that Uber drivers undoubtedly deserve the money. But you know what else they deserve? A living wage that doesn’t necessitate that a not-small part of their income is dependent on the whims of passengers and an arbitrary ratings system devised by a company that until recently was led by a confirmed dope.
How much do Uber drivers actually make? Around $7 an hour after expenses and everything else, according to some estimates. That’s trash!
This is all not to mention that, for passengers, it’s insane that Khosrowshahi is presenting “aggressive” tipping as a necessity—the real fare is not what you see on the app but, indeed, 25 or 30 percent more on top of that. If you want a good passenger rating, at least.
In short: We’re all living in a hell panopticon where we are all constantly observed and rated, a system controlled by Silicon Valley doofuses with the gumption to scold their own customers, who are mere pawns in a system that also deprives workers of a wage that they can not live on. Everything’s great.
DISCUSSION
Tipping should be abolished and replaced with better pay everywhere. I don’t care what other terrible trash viewpoints they have, I would instantly vote for any politician who said they would outlaw tipping. Charge everyone X% more and give that directly to the workers so customers don’t have to make up for it. This also fixes the issue of the majority of tips not being reported as income, leading to tipped workers leeching tax dollars away from the rest of us.
Trying to navigate who should and should not be tipped, especially in this current world where everywhere you go has service workers begging for them, is quite trying. It’s such a breath of fresh air going to a country like Japan where you don’t have to worry about tipping anywhere and you still get amazing service regardless.
(and before the inevitable accusations, I tip and tip well, but am always irritated at the necessity of it all)