As much as I hate threatening peoples’ livelihoods, I think the answer here is an obvious “yes,” right?
In this post:
Lyft driver calls someone a f****** n*****
I’ve often written about what a frustrating experience it can be to drive in Miami, as I’m convinced we have the worst drivers in the United States (and possibly the worst drivers in the world). As a defensive, alert driver, I’d say that maybe every 10 minutes I’m on the road in Miami, I nearly get into an accident, as someone swerves in front of me, etc.
Honestly, the poor quality of drivers in Miami is one of the reasons I just choose to stay home most of the time. For those situations where I take an Uber or Lyft, I feel like there’s a near miss every few minutes, especially if the driver isn’t defensive. My point is simply to say that I have really low expectations of rideshare drivers in Florida, but even I was shocked by what I heard today.
Long story short, this morning I was in a Lyft on a street with two lanes in each direction. We were in the left lane and needed to get into the right lane to make a turn, but the person to the right of us wouldn’t let us in. Now, if it were me, I’d slow down and get behind the person that clearly doesn’t want to let me in, but the Lyft driver just kept trying to get in ahead of this guy. Of course he wasn’t budging, because this is Miami, and his fragile masculinity was at risk if he couldn’t show his superiority on the road.
When we missed our turn, the driver said “I’m not racist, but f****** n*****.”
If I were the driver and someone in my car said that, I would have kicked them out. But since I was in someone else’s car and I wasn’t sure how he’d respond if I called him out on that horrible remark, I didn’t say anything. After a minute he said “sorry about that,” without expanding on what exactly he was apologizing for.
Reporting this Lyft driver is the right thing to do, right?
I mean, what a horrible thing for someone to say. And of course I can’t help but note how he started his sentence with “I’m not racist, but…” That’s like insulting someone, but starting your sentence by saying “with all due respect” — like, it doesn’t change the substance of what you’re saying. And yes, if you say that you are being racist, full stop.
I feel strongly that I should report this driver to Lyft. This kind of behavior is simply totally unacceptable, and it’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard a ridesharing driver say.
I guess my slight hesitation is that I recognize that people rely on these platforms to make a living, and I’d hate to threaten someone’s livelihood. At the same time, if you’re going to act like this, you should expect there are consequences for your actions. That’s most definitely not the first time that he has thought that, and I have to imagine it’s not the first time that he has said that.
And let me just state authoritatively that there are bad drivers in Miami of all races, nationalities, etc.
I guess the other unfortunate reality of living in Miami is that there are just a lot of really crappy people. I barely bat an eyelid when I hear racism, homophobia, etc., since it’s just accepted by many as fine.
Bottom line
While I’ve had some bad ridesharing experiences, I’ve never seen someone be so openly racist before. My Lyft driver wasn’t happy about another driver who was (admittedly) being an aggressive jerk, but it doesn’t excuse making a racist comment.
Would you report the driver in this situation?
Leave the driver alone, people are people and your not going to change anything by keeping it alive yourself. Shut the fuck up and move on..,
Yes
US drivers are definitely not the worst. I lived in Spain for 13 years , the quality of driving there is .... special. In the UK the driver would have been arrested for using the N word. Terrible thing to say.
Don't report it. Would you report him if he yelled, "a**hole?" The driver was pissed, blew his fuse, and yelled out something vulgar. Don't ruin his career over his short temper.
Expessing a short temper and perpetuing damaging racism are not identical.
I'll cosign the "I don't even know why this is a question. Just report it." contingent. Reporting an inappropriate and racist incident in a factual manner is not you threatening his livelihood. Firstly, he threatened his own livelihood with the comment. Secondly, the decision on his employment status is handled by the rideshare company and not you. Maybe he has been an otherwise exemplary driver and the company decides to give him a warning or...
I'll cosign the "I don't even know why this is a question. Just report it." contingent. Reporting an inappropriate and racist incident in a factual manner is not you threatening his livelihood. Firstly, he threatened his own livelihood with the comment. Secondly, the decision on his employment status is handled by the rideshare company and not you. Maybe he has been an otherwise exemplary driver and the company decides to give him a warning or ignore the complaint altogether. Maybe there have been other complaints about inappropriate behavior and your complaint is the last straw and even prevents an incident by this driver in the future that is far worse. How many times do people need to say after a terrible incident is reported in the news, "why didn't the people who saw signs before say or do something?" Why would you remove the ability of the rideshare company to make a considered decision on an appropriate path forward. Yes, we all have bad days and say things that we would like to have back. However, when you allow those behaviors to take place in your workplace, you invite significant consequences. Of all of the terrible things that I've said in my lifetime, none have been at work, and yes, that matters. Lastly, this behavior in our society is enabled by people who see it and look the other way.
I love your blog, but was surprised to see the hesitation and even more surprised to see the pursuit of a crowd-sourced decision.
A lot of these comments are based on folks this would not be directed to. I wonder if those who say 'let it go' or 'he was having a bad day' would feel the same way if the remark was about them. It never bothers you until it is about you. I think I am unclear of the hesitation in reporting this. The facts of the case is he said it. It bothered you. Report...
A lot of these comments are based on folks this would not be directed to. I wonder if those who say 'let it go' or 'he was having a bad day' would feel the same way if the remark was about them. It never bothers you until it is about you. I think I am unclear of the hesitation in reporting this. The facts of the case is he said it. It bothered you. Report the comment. Let Lyft get him racial bias training or whatever he needs. We've all said things like 'what a jerk' about a driver but to put the gender, race, nationality, identity in front of it is really more deep rooted than some of these commenters realize.
I've got an idea. Just report him and do not blog about every small experience. Many think that they are just pointing out the behavior or trying to make people aware of it but actually it does the opposite. This is a points and miles or travel blog not a sounding board.
Perhaps this isn't as "small" an experience as you want to imagine.
What he said was not right, but there could be so many reasons for his actions. Maybe he was just having a bad day. We’ve all had days when we said things that we didn’t mean. I wouldn’t want to spoil a person’s livelihood for an incident such as this. The consequences may have impacts beyond just the driver. We all make mistakes. If it were me, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt and move on. One day Life may reward me similarly. An older man’s two cents.
First, I agree his comment is wrong. Let's not debate that. But, it sounds like he was in a heated moment, he later apologized (it was seems pretty clear what he was apologizing for since you included it in your post as clearly linked to the earlier comment), but now you are wondering whether to cost this man his livelihood. It's not like you got in, he's calmly driving down the road and launched into...
First, I agree his comment is wrong. Let's not debate that. But, it sounds like he was in a heated moment, he later apologized (it was seems pretty clear what he was apologizing for since you included it in your post as clearly linked to the earlier comment), but now you are wondering whether to cost this man his livelihood. It's not like you got in, he's calmly driving down the road and launched into a diatribe about hating black people completely unprovoked and cool as a cucumber.
Have a little grace. You are not perfect. None of us are perfect. We have all done something at some point that someone else might decide to cancel us for. Goodness knows there are enough people out there who are offended at everything, whether it was something to be legitimately offended about such as this comment or just due to hypersensitivity. Sometimes, we have to take the high road and show grace without seeking to punish and seek retribution.
What I find worrisome is that you engaged in speculation as to what he previously THOUGHT or SAID - sounds pretty Orwellian to me. And this trend toward Orwellian behavior is far more troubling to our future as a society than one Lyft driver in a car blurting out a word he should not have said. Show some grace, even when someone is clearly in the wrong. One day, someone may pay it forward for you by showing you grace for something.
Very well said. Kudos to you, sir. For showing such uncommon sense. And Ben is a bit of baiter, I might add.
I’m in the camp that if someone had to fired for something malicious they said. There would be no workforce, including executive level. If he did a fine job driving. Then I can look past it.
I don't understand why it is even a question of reporting this or not. Imagine being at a restaurant, and the server drops something... and says, "stupid f*ing sh~t." Or maybe you're at an airport and the TSA agent says, "I don't mean to be sexist, but what a g*d d@ c-nt." When you are working, there is an expectation of professionalism. Do I cuss a blue streak when driving alone? Yes. Do I cuss...
I don't understand why it is even a question of reporting this or not. Imagine being at a restaurant, and the server drops something... and says, "stupid f*ing sh~t." Or maybe you're at an airport and the TSA agent says, "I don't mean to be sexist, but what a g*d d@ c-nt." When you are working, there is an expectation of professionalism. Do I cuss a blue streak when driving alone? Yes. Do I cuss when others are in the car? No. Do I cuss when representing my employer? Definitely no. Racist cussing is just the cherry on top.
this is what you get for living in horrible Miami and south Florida... a rats nest on just about every single level, horrible place
Better than San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York where filth lurks behind each and every corner.
You should’ve been reported his ass if you haven’t already.
Meet @CERTIFIED (INSANE), the all new Yin Dao Yang...only twice as annoying, but with even LESS substance.
Do you realized what people call you behind your back!!
Did he hurt you (aside from your feelings)? Unless he did, for God's sake just let it go and move on. Unless you get a thrill from getting some little guy (who is probably not particularly educated) fired and losing him his livlihood.
People need to grow up and stop being such a bunch of snowflake Karens. And that means you too!
You sound like you subscribe to the use of the n word.
Is racism an asset? If not, then how does it stop?
He is who is without sin, should cast the first stone. I am sure you have done something at some point that someone would want to cancel you for. Even if it was not the same thing. And lest you think you are pure, it's not uncommon to watch two "pure" people trying to cancel each other for not being the type of pure that one of them thinks the other should be.
Oh good, a KJV reference. Surely the Bible will help solve this matter.
Well said! Being a taddle tale everytime something offends us will not rid the world of offending people or situations. What the guy said was wrong, period. However, it's pretty unlikely you'll ever see him again, so I would chalk it up and move on.
Whether you will ever see him again? That's the metric? Really???
How about using headphones, go about your business and stop complaining about things that don't directly affect you? This trend to be on each others tail for anything and everything goes too far. If it bothers you then you should have indeed asked the driver to stop, get out and call a new Lyft.
Is this incident awful? Absolutely.
But I can’t help but think it was posted purely as click bait.
This is (supposedly) a travel blog where people come to read about airline and hotel reviews and points deals. And I’m assuming Ben gains his revenue by number of clicks/reads/comments so far as the website side of things.
Just have a look at the metrics - ‘how to pre order meals in united first...
Is this incident awful? Absolutely.
But I can’t help but think it was posted purely as click bait.
This is (supposedly) a travel blog where people come to read about airline and hotel reviews and points deals. And I’m assuming Ben gains his revenue by number of clicks/reads/comments so far as the website side of things.
Just have a look at the metrics - ‘how to pre order meals in united first class’ 11 comments. ‘New Cathay halo suites in First’ 30 comments. ‘Should I report my racist Lyft driver’ 169 comments.
We all know that Bens travels have slowed down somewhat since becoming a dad; rightly so. I totally get that. Reviews mainly come from the odd ‘miles mega trip’ these days taking as many airlines as possible from somewhere to somewhere to somewhere.
The great thing about the Lyft incident posting is that it highlights an issue. But a single incident where two people were present and we are only hearing one account can also muddy the waters. And let’s face it - on a forum where anyone can post anonymously it’s just going to end up nasty and divided.
"I'm not racist, but......." is always followed by something incredibly racist.
If your first response to someone you are aggravated with is to mention race/religion, you are a bigot and an asshole.
It would be interesting to see how many of these brave souls in the comments would say it isn't if they had to give their real names on their comments.
But, not like being an anonymous guest offers that much protection if someone really wants to dig into it....
Yes, Ben. Please report it to Lyft. This is especially important BECAUSE you are a white person. You occupy a special position of privilege in society, whereby you will be heard more loudly than if a racial minority were to report the same incident. This is why it's important for you to be an ally to racial minorities. Thank you.
Take your medicine!
The fact that this is a debate shows how racism will continue to fester. You are white male that heard a vile racist comment towards black people and you are concerned about the drivers lively hood, if there is no consequens for his actions how will anything change. Protect your community and do the right thing. For a successful out come the responsibility of eradicating racism should be on those who experience it the least,...
The fact that this is a debate shows how racism will continue to fester. You are white male that heard a vile racist comment towards black people and you are concerned about the drivers lively hood, if there is no consequens for his actions how will anything change. Protect your community and do the right thing. For a successful out come the responsibility of eradicating racism should be on those who experience it the least, as they are in a more powerful situation. Do the right thing, and please reflect why you even need to consider this.
Is anyone really surprised of such incidents in the U.S. In the U.S., racism is an epidemic, but people suppress their thoughts due to societal norms. This guy was just vocal. If you’re a Caucasian balding older man, you’re the King in the U.S. However, this same man is also always claiming to be a victim is society and endowed with a fragile ego among other fragile things.
I’m not balding maybe that’s why I don’t feel any close to the king
What a funny point! Racist in its its own way…Larry David might object
Do it for the 18year heading to college, leaving home and family. You don't want this piece of trash giving her a ride, do you?
With this and the Cathay ad you’re becoming a clickbait king!
Stick to the seat reviews please we have enough social justice and inclusion blogs
Based on the ignorant and repulsive comments in this post that came before you, there are too few social justice blogs, and bloggers with an audience as large as this one have a moral imperative to spread antiracism whenever possible.
CERTIFIED brainwashed loon sprinkling his virtue all over the place tonight! Antiracists are rabid activists which well meaning normal non-racist people need to stand up against.
haha i made my prior comment before seeing this but as I predicted Cecll0 did in fact come out as a full-bore white supremacist and I'm of course unsurprised to see it. Critical to make sure than Cecll0 and his family increasingly find themselves in a world in which they're unable to advance or achieve their professional goals - good progress made in the past several years, but still a lot of trash left to take out, as illustrated above.
If you say so, all I see around is bla bla bla on this
To me that Uber guy is just an ignorant idiot, to be a racist you need a cubic millimeter of rotten brain that a guy like that probably doesn’t even have
To report him is to give him too much relevance and an audience
To get off the Uber asap and to call them out on the spot...
If you say so, all I see around is bla bla bla on this
To me that Uber guy is just an ignorant idiot, to be a racist you need a cubic millimeter of rotten brain that a guy like that probably doesn’t even have
To report him is to give him too much relevance and an audience
To get off the Uber asap and to call them out on the spot is the behavior I have adopted
I’ve screamed at them before and at least I’ve tasted the surprise and shock in their face-a priceless reward and a likely guarantee they won’t dare again
Let’s move on
What do you genuinely feel is RIGHT,and what should you do or should have done isn't the question, if the driver called you this , what would you have done??? Now do what's morally correct, because the next time it could be you directly and or indirectly
Anytime you bring up Miami having the worst drivers in the country, I’m generally inclined to agree. Personally I think Atlanta is up there for driving standards. There’s one thing I feel strongly about with Miami though. People are awful when they’re not driving! Atlanta’s not the same.
Miami is full of some of the angriest and unfriendly groups of people of all races that I’ve ever met. It’s a shame. Physically I love the...
Anytime you bring up Miami having the worst drivers in the country, I’m generally inclined to agree. Personally I think Atlanta is up there for driving standards. There’s one thing I feel strongly about with Miami though. People are awful when they’re not driving! Atlanta’s not the same.
Miami is full of some of the angriest and unfriendly groups of people of all races that I’ve ever met. It’s a shame. Physically I love the place and could live there in a heartbeat. Culturally and socially it makes SoCal look warm, fuzzy , and unpretentious though
Which is really weird because Miami is predominantly Latin American, and the people in Latin America are some of the warmest and friendliest.
Mmm
They tend also not to be very pro black
At least traditionally you can see that in the voting trends, with exceptions
That’s the dynamics of the community
Solution - don't take Uber or Lyft. Generally bad drivers.
I much prefer taxi. Uber is 2x or 3x cost of taxi the 6 miles my house to airport.
Also - why did you choose to live in Miami? Fort Lauderdale likely would have been more suitable. Drivers improve going north. But still bad driver until you get north of PBI.
This reminds me of the Morgan Wallen incident while he was drunk.Is he racist probably not and unlikely.
Did he say something inappropriate privately yes
Should he been punished to the degree he was no.Oddly it made him even more successful .If its said in a heated moment let it go unless its more than that.We have enough problems in the world and if it wasn't meant or directed at you personally move...
This reminds me of the Morgan Wallen incident while he was drunk.Is he racist probably not and unlikely.
Did he say something inappropriate privately yes
Should he been punished to the degree he was no.Oddly it made him even more successful .If its said in a heated moment let it go unless its more than that.We have enough problems in the world and if it wasn't meant or directed at you personally move on.
Sure he was inappropriate in a professional setting.I'm more worried about drivers tailgating personally or on drugs I want to get their alive
I my life I don't have the time to police all the bad bad behavior unless threatened personally.There is plenty everywhere in the new era
I really don't want to know who all you "if it's said in a heated moment, it's okay" types spend your time with if you think it's normal to spew racist shit just because you're angry (or drunk).
Sometimes in the heat of the moment we aren't choosing our words carefully and we say what we don't mean. The key difference, in the current context, is that the N word will not be in your vocabulary, at all, unless you're racist. The word is not something that slips out in the heat of the moment unless you are bona fide anti-Black.
Wow Lucky, really, again. Bringing out the racist comments. Is there a smile on your face?
I endured 5 hurricanes in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale in the mid-90s super-cycle. It was astounding to me how fast the cities went feral and vicious. Dog eat dog, on steroids. Watch your back, my friend. Leave it alone and get out of there. The social environment is toxic, and the next big storm is going to create a truly Biblical melt down.
I’m sorry you live in that city. Clearly you are there because of your mom’s health challenge. I can’t imagine having to put up with racist and homophobic people daily. Mental health is important. Take care of yourself.
Homophobic? Racist?
Miami?
Is he advising you move to MSP?
Wonder what the other said? Because if it was that heated of an action he called him names too. How many times did u swear at the Miami drivers, a swear does not make a racist, the same as a swear does not make anyone a bad person, remember the glasshouse saying. And yes like others this was a readers engagement post, it worked but am also stuck at an airport and swore at an airline.
hey friend, could you share the details of whatever "the other said" that would make this on any level acceptable?
Thanks for contributing to the travel community, friend!
Moral grandstanding.
I find it interesting that you need to ask for our opinion... Could it mean that you have doubts ?
Absolutely, I'd report him! Who cares if you jeopardize his livelihood??? If he blithely goes on without consequences, he learns nothing.
Ben, it is clear that, whether you know it or not, you are totally over living in Miami, and Florida generally. Perfectly understandable!
Time to seriously considering relocating, before that hellhole eats your soul.
That's what happens when someone wants to be a virtue signaling SJW and reap the tax benefits plus better security of a place like Florida. If Ben would put his money where his mouth his then he'd move to liberal haven California and get taxed to hell and back. Careful where you step though with all the feces and crime around.
You would be in the wrong to report it. We have violent criminals roaming the streets and terrorizing communities, we have violent criminals ransacking businesses, we have millions destroying the job market by flooding the country with cheap labor, and we have no go zones in big cities because one group is 13% of the population but causes 90%. You’d do better to focus on the above than someone who told the truth that’s politically...
You would be in the wrong to report it. We have violent criminals roaming the streets and terrorizing communities, we have violent criminals ransacking businesses, we have millions destroying the job market by flooding the country with cheap labor, and we have no go zones in big cities because one group is 13% of the population but causes 90%. You’d do better to focus on the above than someone who told the truth that’s politically incorrect but 100% heartfelt and accurate.
Harming this driver for telling the truth only makes it more likely you will get a bad driver. Destroying livelihoods makes you the bad guy.
Thank you for acknowledging that conservatives wholeheartedly agree with what the driver said--that this is a pure encapsulation of what conservatism views as "the truth"--rather than hiding behind some dishonest, mealy-mouthed defense of the driver based on him "having a bad day" etc.
Not a single sentence in this repugnant comment is accurate. Racists are emboldened when non-racists stay silent, so it would be wrong to let this incident slide. Violent crime is a non-issue for people with basic awareness of their surroundings and experience in urban areas (all of which have neighborhoods that are more or less safe--yes, there is even crime in Tokyo). There is a damn near perfect correlation between people who whine about urban...
Not a single sentence in this repugnant comment is accurate. Racists are emboldened when non-racists stay silent, so it would be wrong to let this incident slide. Violent crime is a non-issue for people with basic awareness of their surroundings and experience in urban areas (all of which have neighborhoods that are more or less safe--yes, there is even crime in Tokyo). There is a damn near perfect correlation between people who whine about urban crime and bitter old people, who were not successful in life, glued to Fox News in their middle-of-nowhere homes. Ambitious young Americans flock to the same urban areas they always have for a chance to make it big in their industry. Amazing restaurants, retail, art and cultural experiences, and institutes of government, academia, and healthcare remain concentrated in cities, all of them liberal, because conservatives only know to cut cut cut until there's nothing left and everybody with a hope and dream of achieving anything in life has been driven out.
The job market isn't being destroyed. It's recovering. I can speak firsthand to my industry. I'm about to be hired at a competitor that will pay me 30% more than what I currently make. Guess what both these competitors have in common? Antiracism. Setting all that aside, why blame any job seeker when there's no job to be sought unless an job creator is looking to hire? Shouldn't you point fingers at job creators for wanting to lower costs? Oops I guess that would expose a fundamental problem in the GOP platform.
At this point the GOP platform is so fundamentally flawed that it doesn't matter anymore.
@CERTIFIED 100% matches my experience. I've lived full time in many large cities (DC, NYC, ATL, etc. etc.) and traveled/lived and worked remotely for extended periods in many more, including the ones that old shriveled Fox News-obsessed conservatives insist are crime-ridden (despite never having visited themselves) like Seattle, Portland, SFO, LA, Chicago, etc. etc. I walk around these cities all the time and have never felt unsafe - quite the opposite really. The bigger challenge...
@CERTIFIED 100% matches my experience. I've lived full time in many large cities (DC, NYC, ATL, etc. etc.) and traveled/lived and worked remotely for extended periods in many more, including the ones that old shriveled Fox News-obsessed conservatives insist are crime-ridden (despite never having visited themselves) like Seattle, Portland, SFO, LA, Chicago, etc. etc. I walk around these cities all the time and have never felt unsafe - quite the opposite really. The bigger challenge is getting home without stopping in every innovative cocktail bar that crops up.
If you're successful like us, you're not afraid of diversity. If you're losing your place in society because you don't have anything to offer but your race... well, your best days are behind you and that's the reason for the bitterness.
I have no delusions about corporate values, but I'll only work for the ones that have publicly positioned themselves as antiracist, because that simply attracts a more moral and more competent class of coworkers.
Geeze guys, get a room……..between you anti-racists and racists most of us want nothing to do with any of you, we live our lives, respectful towards EVERYONE regardless of their color, religion, sexual orientation and yes political affiliation …most people are live and let live… You are not, you are not respectful towards anyone that takes issue with your smug moral superiority ….and no I’m not white, I’m not old and I’m certainly not straight!
Report it or don't report it but why the post? Slow day at the office, don't forget to let everyone know your decision.
I think that behavior is absolutely disgusting, but if I were you, I'd ask him to pull over, get out of the car and tell him that unless he cancels the ride, you will have to report him.
Staying in the car and then going and reporting him is
(1) In my mind cowardly
(2) Missing the opportunity to link cause and effect (by the time he hears back from Lyft he...
I think that behavior is absolutely disgusting, but if I were you, I'd ask him to pull over, get out of the car and tell him that unless he cancels the ride, you will have to report him.
Staying in the car and then going and reporting him is
(1) In my mind cowardly
(2) Missing the opportunity to link cause and effect (by the time he hears back from Lyft he may not even remember what he said)
(3) Creating a situation where the outcome of this is outside of your control. If you care about his livelihood (and admittedly - some people can use disgusting language under some circumstances) - maybe reporting him is overreaching.
The only circumstances that I would report someone is when I am *sure* his behaviour is consistent and will affect future riders: unsafe drivers, drivers with filthy cars, drivers who smoke etc. Gladly- these are very rare these days.
100% reporting the driver is indicated! Absolutely no question about it. Not facing consequences allows such disgusting behavior to continue, and all of us have to be responsible for furthering positive change.
Yes, but do mention his apology for whatever weight Lyft wants to give it.
Hey Trumpsters need an income
Genius, you are so clever!
Maybe just maybe the driver is having a bad day. Give him the benefit of the doubt. It he was really a racist, he would have been reported b y now
Or he just keeps getting a pass, because so many people apparently don't see anything wrong with this...
Remember when we used to talk about planes and hotels?
The driver was disgusting and a bigot you will never be able to change. He will probably be out the job because of his poor driving anyway. Go with the path of least resistance. Don't stress yourself about something you cannot change. But I understand your predicament and I strongly advice finding a private driver you determine is sober and safe (and not a jerk). I use a retired guy who is fully licenced and...
The driver was disgusting and a bigot you will never be able to change. He will probably be out the job because of his poor driving anyway. Go with the path of least resistance. Don't stress yourself about something you cannot change. But I understand your predicament and I strongly advice finding a private driver you determine is sober and safe (and not a jerk). I use a retired guy who is fully licenced and insured for private hire. His service is not advertised as he keeps a client base that he finds comfortable. They are out there. Good luck.
When I was young, we live by the adage that "sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me". Unfortunately those days were long ago and now it is all about being politically correct. I afraid if the guy would have even said fu$$&in idiot you would also have wanted to report it. Just ignore it - the use of the n word by itself does not mean he is a racist.
The driver is unambiguously racist. Avoiding the N word is Antiracism 101.
We will have to agree to disagree. The use of the N work is PC 101. A great example is a reggaeton singer in Latin America whose stage name is variation of the N word; in the US when he performs he goes by the name of Flex. In Latin America, where most of Miami's residents come from, the N word means something very different.
Normally, 100%. But you’re not necessarily unknown. Maybe the driver doesn’t read your blog. Maybe they know someone who does. Dude gets banned from Lyft, comes for his “retribution” - my only comment is if you feel you’re not at risk if identified, do it.
I’m sorry you had this experience.
And I’m sorry I got lured into this click-baity post.
Now go report the racist. He needs a non-public-facing job. And a kick in the ass.
Racism shouldn’t be merely hidden. It should be eliminated. I do not hire racist employees even in non-customer facing positions.
Doesn't that also make you a racist for discriminating against someone based on their personal beliefs? You cannot have it both ways.
I hire people who believe what I believe. Watch the TED talk by Simon Sinek.
No idea what your profession is but it sure sounds like you are asking questions that do not respect one's privacy. With respect to the actual job, your employees should share your same vision. Apart from that it is none of your business what they believe. I rarely shared my opinions in the work place and I definitely avoided sharing them with bosses. It was none of their business.
Are you serious? What is racist about not hiring racists? Please log off and take a nap. You need rest.
how in the everloving heavens would not hiring racists make one a racist?
(rhetorical question; of course I understand that Alan posted this because he sees himself in this driver and is therefore defensive.)
Here in South Africa a black politician urging his followers to kill white people but just not yet has been declared by the courts to be non-racist.
Against this background what you describe seems a bit non-consequential.
Hey friend do you all, by any chance, like the US happen to have a history that might have been relevant in informing that decision?
Ahh so there you have it, Digital Nomad excuses racism and threats of violence as long as there is a good enough justification. Typical racism from an “anti-racist”.
Ah Cecll0, is your claim that racism isn't context-dependent? I mean that is certainly a claim......... and one that certainly tells us a thing or two.....
Clearly you believe racism is ok and justified dependent on the context….and yes that tells everyone here a thing or two about you, Most of us non activists think it’s abhorrent in the present no matter the perpetrator or the victim nor what happened in the past.
haha racism is never context-independent; without orienting to context there is no definition of racism....
which leads us to you...
Yes, you should report this
Snitches get stitches!
Never heard this spoken by anyone with an IQ over 75.
But all means, report the driver, but not for the remark alone. That would just make you come off as a SJW, and this driver has problems beyond their racist language.
The answer to your question is "yes," Ben.
Correct
Ben please report him and leave a bad rating. He needs to know it's not acceptable behavior.
I think you should report this and I see this less in a "because he's racist" but rather because he is unprofessional. Languages like that would not be tolerated in an office or any professional setting (I mean anywhere but even more so in a professional or work environment) and the driver's car is no different.
Language like that isn’t tolerated precisely because it’s racist.
Whoa! I can't believe that anyone still has the gall to use that word in public as an angry slur, let alone in front of a customer! I'd report him. That's appalling. If a flight attendant or gate agent referred to one of their pax like that, what would your reaction be? It's the same thing. People are entitled to their personal views, no matter how repugnant, but that doesn't mean there are no consequences for airing those repugnant views in public.
I've come to the conclusion that everyone is racist. I think it's an evolutionary/social-conditioning thing, where distinguishing between friend (us) and foe (them) was a matter of survival. I've also come to the conclusion that almost everyone has two selves - a higher one and a lower one. By striving constantly to "be" the higher self, one can overcome such biases at the conscious level, to a point where one might even claim to not...
I've come to the conclusion that everyone is racist. I think it's an evolutionary/social-conditioning thing, where distinguishing between friend (us) and foe (them) was a matter of survival. I've also come to the conclusion that almost everyone has two selves - a higher one and a lower one. By striving constantly to "be" the higher self, one can overcome such biases at the conscious level, to a point where one might even claim to not be a racist, and it's certainly an effort well worth making. But the lower self is still there, lurking, waiting to pop out in challenging moments, polluting one's thoughts even if not one's mouth. Given the circumstances and the contrition - albeit, rather lame - that the driver expressed, I do not think he is someone who is racist by default, and would not report him to Lyft.
First sentence “Everyone is racist”
Last sentence “I do not think he is racist”
Coherency level: Trump
Well, you took snippets out of context and then framed it to fit your narrative. Isn't that what Trump does?
Well, well, well… Move on with your life Ben. World has much bigger problems than a driver raging about another driver.
Many of the biggest problems in the world are rooted in racism.
So go ahead and snitch the guy. Did he open the window and aggressively said that to the other driver? Was it confrontational? Did he pull the other guy out of his car and screamed that to his face? Seriously, sometimes people say things to themselves, he apologized. First thing my kids learned in daycare: mind your own business. Ben should do whatever he wants. He asked for opinions, I gave mine. Go for it if he feels good about it.
I don't understand the fixation on whether the other driver heard it or not. It's irrelevant. The principle is that individuals inclined toward racist sentiments should see their station in life reduced and denigrated to the greatest extent possible. Reporting serves that purpose. Let's not overcomplicate matters here.
I believe the outcome you are expecting by reporting the driver to Lyft is that the driver is (or will be) punished financially, in some form, by Lyft for his behavior. So, let's think for a second that your feedback is recorded in Lyft's database. Now, lets think of the steps this feedback will have to go through before your desired outcome is achieved -
1. Odds are it won't even be noticed by...
I believe the outcome you are expecting by reporting the driver to Lyft is that the driver is (or will be) punished financially, in some form, by Lyft for his behavior. So, let's think for a second that your feedback is recorded in Lyft's database. Now, lets think of the steps this feedback will have to go through before your desired outcome is achieved -
1. Odds are it won't even be noticed by anyone unless Lyft corporate is specifically monitoring feedbacks related to racism or similar characteristics
2. Even if they do notice it, it will be ignored if no one else has (or not enought people have) reported the same driver for similar behavior.
3. Even if enough number of other riders have reported that driver for similar behavior that warrants some type of action by Lyft, Lyft will probably issue a warning of some sorts so that the driver is discouraged
4. Steps 1-3 will have to repeat a few times before Lyft decides to move to stronger actions such as financial penalty or banning the driver from using the platform (highliy unlikely we will get to this stage)
My point is - you are not going to achieve anything by just reporting the driver to Lyft. Lyft needs that driver driving on the streets as much as (or even more than) the driver needs Lyft to make a living. So, in all likelihood, your feedback is falling on deaf ears.
I am not saying that you shouldn't do anything about this. You feel strongly about this topic, so think of doing something beyong just "reporting" and feeling content in your head that you did your part.
D money. Slow down. It’s only pre season.
I lived in Miami before. The drivers are aggressive and bad but not the worst drivers in the world.
I would modify the tip but I would not complain. I would complain if I were harmed such as being punched by the driver or if she/he/ze called me that.
New Zealand drivers are the worst in the world. Keep that in mind when you visit.
No, you shouldn’t. You also shouldn’t have posted this post.
What you say about driving and drivers in Miami is totally true. I spend considerable time there (but will never ever never ever move there), and I am scared to drive on Miami streets. Miami highways like I-95 are a whole other story - traffic, drive-by drivers, bad driving and other dangers.
I do use Uber and Lyft regularly in Miami. However, I have never had an English-speaking driver in my last 50 or so rides. I end up speaking my broken Spanish to them.
How do we know the driver that the Lyft driver called a slur was even black? Maybe this guy uses the N-word as a curse like GD or MFer.
You were in Miami, being racist is part of being an American
Some are just more vocal than others
1 star. Racist or not, he did his job. It was uncomfortable, so give it a one star.
Maybe you're the racist. I drive for Uber, and I've lost count of how many times Black people use that word without the slightest bit of hesitation. On a side note, did you know that to get a driver's license in Turkey, you have to take a course in empathy? Put your blinker on, and people let you in. Virtually no road rage.
You start this comment with a baseless accusation of racism, and then you want to talk about empathy?
Should you report, heck yeah. Speaks to their character. They shouldn't be a ride share driver if that's their attitude.
Should this even be a whole article, absolutely not.
If someone, in a moment of road rage, said "I'm going to murder that a$$****", would you report him for conspiracy to commit murder? Are you letting a potential murderer go by not reporting?
Sorry, I don't buy the argument that someone is a racist just because they said something bad when they're angry.
In what world are hyperbolic language and racist language equivalent? People like you are the reason I have to sit through diversity training every year that involves an hour of people explaining basic concepts on how not to be a terrible person.
If the racist language is the only thing that matters, then a lot of black people are going to get fired for racist language, including in their pop songs.
Fwiw I'm a visible minority, and probably know a hell lot more about actual racism (from first hand experience) than you.
David it’s probably lost on you that “racist language” is context dependent. The same thing may be racist if said by one person in one setting, but innocuous if said by another person in another setting, even if the actual literal words are verbatim.
I'm aware how double standard works.
No.
Love all the backseat experts saying they'd have confronted the driver. Y'all have either never been to Miami, or actively ignore Ben every time he posts about Miami drivers.
People down here are crazy. Escalating that situation further, with a driver who's already visibly angry, ends poorly more often than not in Miami. Ben did the right thing not confronting him in the car.
Yes.
While I agree this is utterly disgusting, I'm not sure the good that can come of reporting it. He'll lose his job, hate the world even more, and probably find a way to blame minorities (and that's before he finds this blog post)... the cycle continues and gets worse.
something tells me if it was a black driver who said something race-sensitive about any other group, especially your own group - you would not be making this post. I also still don't get why you aren't moving out of that hell hole that you hate so much.
Don't report Ben. He's obviously a jerk. But this does not rise to the level of losing your job. He apologized for being a jerk. His life is difficult enough.
Ben's an introvert. Direct confrontation is probably something he loathes. So for him, it's a binary choice: report or don't. For me, the choice would be contront him now and end the ride immediately, or confront him at the end of the ride. The former is preferable but various things might make it less so (late for appointment, bad neibhgourhood, etc.). I'd tell the driver "keep your racist bigotry to yourself, pal". I'd ask him...
Ben's an introvert. Direct confrontation is probably something he loathes. So for him, it's a binary choice: report or don't. For me, the choice would be contront him now and end the ride immediately, or confront him at the end of the ride. The former is preferable but various things might make it less so (late for appointment, bad neibhgourhood, etc.). I'd tell the driver "keep your racist bigotry to yourself, pal". I'd ask him "how do you know I'm not a minority? How do you know I'm not gonna report you to Lyft? Is there something about me that makes me look like a bigot, who welcomes talk like that? How do you know I'm not married to an African American? How do you know my child isn't black? How do you know I'm not a homosexual?" If the guy apologizes, a decent person is obliged to accept the apology. I'd emphasize that I'm not gonna report him, and I wouldn't. I don't trust Lyft or any other third party to handle the situation in a way I'd approve of.
Always amusing how White millennials are so shocked about how socially conservative Hispanics are. And yet they call Boomers racist and we are vilified for loving traditional America.
Which hispanics? Or do you mean all of them?
"traditional America" sure is one hell of a euphemism...
Sorry, @Hank Tarn, but did we all not get the memo where you were named spokesperson for all American Hispanics? Cuz where I live, your blanket statement is completely off base.
Waiting to understand how is this connected to airline business…
Yes, you should note it as part of your review of the person. I don't think this is particularly controversial. This issue speaks to a bigger ambiguity regarding the sharing economy. If this were a cab driver, it would not be question, as the person would be expected to be professional. But in the context of rideshare, we are skirting that line between a public service and entering into someone's private domain. The same is...
Yes, you should note it as part of your review of the person. I don't think this is particularly controversial. This issue speaks to a bigger ambiguity regarding the sharing economy. If this were a cab driver, it would not be question, as the person would be expected to be professional. But in the context of rideshare, we are skirting that line between a public service and entering into someone's private domain. The same is true of AirBNB: it is a public accommodation, but the marketing of the good includes the assumption that you are renting a private residence (there's quite a few AirBNB marketing blog sites that talk about the ways to personalize interaction with "guests" in your home).
Come on Lucky. I enjoy your blog and I appreciate that you are against discrimination. However, as a black bi- person myself, I don't agree with this, nor do I agree with how we easily label ppl be it racism, homophobia etc. For one you can't judge someone's character based off of one incident. When people get angry they generally look for revenge often through verbal abuse, thus I think this person needs anger management...
Come on Lucky. I enjoy your blog and I appreciate that you are against discrimination. However, as a black bi- person myself, I don't agree with this, nor do I agree with how we easily label ppl be it racism, homophobia etc. For one you can't judge someone's character based off of one incident. When people get angry they generally look for revenge often through verbal abuse, thus I think this person needs anger management more than anything. He may have used a slur even if it was his family member in the other car. On a general note I think ppl should stop quickly labeling ppl, at least my definition of racism, homophobia etc is narrower than most and generally has to involve some kind of evil intention
Ah, yes. I had forgotten about the exception for the well-intentioned use of "f****** n*****." Definitely not racist.
@TDA1986
Don’t be a snarky little condescending social justice keyboard warrior….that’s not what Ken said at all.
Sorry, CecilO, but there's no "non-racist" way to say "f****** n*****," which is exactly what Ken was suggesting to be the case.
Nope that’s NOT what Ken suggested….do you have any ability to understand nuance, context and giving people that don’t deserve it a chance for redemption and growth? Or are you as small minded as this racist driver?
Perhaps you should brush up on reading comprehension for your SATs.
The context: Ben reports that his driver referred to another person as a "f****** n*****." Ken defends said driver from charges of racism, noting that his definition of racism requires some kind of evil intention. If one is capable of understanding context, the clear implication here is that Ken believes someone (this driver, in particular) can call another person a " "f****** n*****" without...
Perhaps you should brush up on reading comprehension for your SATs.
The context: Ben reports that his driver referred to another person as a "f****** n*****." Ken defends said driver from charges of racism, noting that his definition of racism requires some kind of evil intention. If one is capable of understanding context, the clear implication here is that Ken believes someone (this driver, in particular) can call another person a " "f****** n*****" without evil intention, thereby suggesting that there is a non-racist way to say "f****** n*****."
He apologized. I would let it go. Clearly, he was emotional and said something that he wouldn't if he was thinking clearly. Everyone make mistakes and has bad days and I would move on. You could have just said, yea lets not use that kind of language when he apologized. Also, next time, please write out the actual words instead of using *
I will never cease to be amused by everybody, everywhere, claiming that the drivers were they live are the worst. Maybe everywhere has bad drivers? And good drivers?
Indeed, it is a tiresome trope.
If Ben lived in Houston (or Chicago or wherever) those drivers would be the “worst”.
Chicago drivers are fine. In my experience, no place in the US really compares to Boston, but even there I don't fault the drivers so much as the fact the city was clearly not planned with car traffic in mind.
If you feel the comment was offensive, your obligation is to state as such to the individual. Tell the driver, "while you may not be racist, I feel your comment was racist". And move on...
Standard HR training for offended individuals. In the workplace the offended individual reports the issue to management or HR if the issue continues.
And risk a bad review?
Confronting an apparently volatile Lyft driver and running even the smallest risk of provoking a reaction is not the advice I would give. You may be confusing best practices in a relatively safe corporate environment with common sense vis-a-vis personal safety.
I wish I could say that I'm surprised by the number of people willing to right this off as mere "speech" or something said by a person out of anger/frustration. The fact is, people who aren't racist don't say something like this, no matter how angry or frustrated they get. This sort of "speech" and these moments of anger are perhaps the only window we have into the true views held by people who can...
I wish I could say that I'm surprised by the number of people willing to right this off as mere "speech" or something said by a person out of anger/frustration. The fact is, people who aren't racist don't say something like this, no matter how angry or frustrated they get. This sort of "speech" and these moments of anger are perhaps the only window we have into the true views held by people who can otherwise easily hide/contain their views in most circumstances. They provide insight into what motivates separate conduct that the individuals can otherwise pass off as race neutral, because they're at least smart enough to not say, "I declined that rider because his profile picture shows he's black." Report the asshole.
Oh lord the “but black people use it” crowd is here. Get over it fellas. We know you don’t get it.
Perhaps you should rather focus on the fact that Ben was such a coward for not addressing the behavior in the moment. Instead he feels the need to discuss how best to absolve his guilty inner Karen by reporting the guy, and he’s even second guessing. Maybe try commenting on that!
When you say "report" them, are you referring to a 1-star rating and then explaining what happened in the comment? Or taking a step in addition to that? Obviously this is a one star rating situation, and I would think that was the purpose of the rating system. If it happens frequently, rating drops, driver gets deactivated. If it was a one time occurrence, and he was genuinely sorry when he apologized, he will notice...
When you say "report" them, are you referring to a 1-star rating and then explaining what happened in the comment? Or taking a step in addition to that? Obviously this is a one star rating situation, and I would think that was the purpose of the rating system. If it happens frequently, rating drops, driver gets deactivated. If it was a one time occurrence, and he was genuinely sorry when he apologized, he will notice the dip in his rating tomorrow, he will know why, and understand that it's not ok, if he doesn't already. What would any additional reporting achieve?
Yes. Yes you do need to. Sorry but sometimes people deserve to lose their job.
If the driver was black and used the term then no I don't report. This is how many black people refer to other black people. Personally, I think it's disgusting given the history of this term but if people want to denigrate themselves so be it.
These “what should I do posts” are annoying and come off as an attempt to create more clicks/comments. If that’s not your intent, realize that’s how it comes off.
Just do what you feel is right and if it’s travel/points-related, post what happened and what you did. Are you really asking for advice from a bunch of strangers?! Come on.
Of course his intent is clicks/ comments. That’s his business!
It worked for this post.
I wouldn’t report it. I have enough to take care of with my job, business, family, home, etc., to get wound up in the middle of this.
Lol. I ask the readers/commentators who are saying “you shouldn’t report it” - are any of you African American / black? Or do any of you have close relatives/loved ones/friends that are?
Uber and Lyft drivers are in the customer service business. Someone saying that as an Uber driver has to be aware that riders may be deeply offended by such language even if they aren’t part of the group. Again, what if Lucky had...
Lol. I ask the readers/commentators who are saying “you shouldn’t report it” - are any of you African American / black? Or do any of you have close relatives/loved ones/friends that are?
Uber and Lyft drivers are in the customer service business. Someone saying that as an Uber driver has to be aware that riders may be deeply offended by such language even if they aren’t part of the group. Again, what if Lucky had an adopted child that was black? Should his response be any different in that case?
Report him
Plot twist: Driver was black
The N-word is frequently used by them to refer to each other......because that's somehow okay right?
What if he was a black guy AND wearing a red MAGA hat? You would have self-combusted!
The number of commenters who think this article is a question asked of them, instead of a standard issue engagement opportunity amazes me.
It’s Ben’s business to “ask” such “questions”!
If we don’t start calling out bad behavior, people will continue that negative behavior until there are consequences. Report him…
Would any other racial slur for latino, asian, or even white people set off such an emotional response? I doubt it.
Why don’t you ask the Indians in UK about Paki, or the lower caste folks about ghati. None Latinos, Asians or Whites were for kidnapped from there homes, brought to a new land sold off like commodities and treated inexplicably. So the answer to your stupid question is NO.
Also, some advice to follow your whole life - it is better to stay quite and be thought of a fool, then to open your mouth and prove it
Well yes and no.
I mean I doubt any black person in the USA today was kidnapped and sold as a commodity.
But if you want to go into history, then absolutely. But read up on the colonisation of India and many other foreign lands and you will see similar parallels.
Oke,
You should probably take some of your own advice. Plenty of White, Latinos and especially Asians have been “kidnapped from their homes, brought to a new land sold off like commodities and treated inexplicably” during the same time period. You lack knowledge of history whether by willful ignorance or indoctrination. Stop trying to “win” the “victim Olympics” FFS.
Please guide me when were the whites kidnapped and enslaved in recent times. He k, please remind the last time whites were systematically targeted simply because their color. The Indian slaves that were brought to Africa/Caribbean don’t face the same level of racism blacks still face today. And being an Indian, I don’t need a non-Indian to tell me about my own history. Europeans supposedly the most intelligent and sophisticated race in the world is...
Please guide me when were the whites kidnapped and enslaved in recent times. He k, please remind the last time whites were systematically targeted simply because their color. The Indian slaves that were brought to Africa/Caribbean don’t face the same level of racism blacks still face today. And being an Indian, I don’t need a non-Indian to tell me about my own history. Europeans supposedly the most intelligent and sophisticated race in the world is the root cause of all the issues the world is facing today. Your modern and “rich” societies/economies are built on loot, destruction and crimes against humanity.
Wow looks like Ole has a deep rooted racial animus much more so than Ben’s driver. I’m sure it infects every interaction with Europeans that they have, talk about unconscious bias….I mean how can it not!
Ole
Barbary slave trade would be one, in the same time period of the African slave trade….do you need more?
@Ole
History shows that there was / is both good and bad in all of us ...... disliking a group or a culture is the same style or way of thinking that created the pain you are expressing. Please do not allow that pain to cause you to do the same.
In reading your comments, I wonder if you or someone you cared about, experienced pain. If that is the case, I am truly sorry to hear that. I hope that one day you can find peace.
Unfortunately, human beings all over the world have been taken from their homes and placed into slavery. In Asia, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan conquered and enslaved millions. The same was done by the mighty Persian Empire. In Africa, the Egyptian empire enslaved millions. Tribes in Africa have been conquering and enslaving neighboring tribes for centuries, this included the sale of those they conquered to Europeans and other African tribes. Slavery is continuing today,...
Unfortunately, human beings all over the world have been taken from their homes and placed into slavery. In Asia, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan conquered and enslaved millions. The same was done by the mighty Persian Empire. In Africa, the Egyptian empire enslaved millions. Tribes in Africa have been conquering and enslaving neighboring tribes for centuries, this included the sale of those they conquered to Europeans and other African tribes. Slavery is continuing today, in Sudan and other countries where tribal conflict has been going on for centuries. In the Americas, they Mayan and Aztec nations were warrior nations that held human sacrifices. In North America, Native American tribes would attack kill other tribes because they were a threat and competition for resources. One of the great lakes, Lake Erie, was named after the Erie Indians. You will never meet an Erie Indian because of genocide, they were attacked by their neighbors, the Seneca Nation. In Europe, the Romans and others, enslaved those they conquered.
Slavery is a scar on all of humanity. It has hit every continent where humans have lived. It is not restricted to any race, religion, or ethnicity. So, yes the peoples of Latin America, Asia, and Europe, along with those of North America and Africa have been enslaved and removed from their homes and loved ones.
Thanks for the unsolicited advice. You lack awareness of slavery's widespread use throughout human history - African blacks were not the first nor will be the last enslaved people. You also seem to have a problem with basic spelling.
If he refused to drive someone based on race, sure, report away. If he flipped out, then apologized, just move on. Speech is protected, discrimination of services is not. What is with people's obsession with policing other people's behavior?
"Speech is protected" how so? What are you talking about? His speech is protected by what, exactly?
Is this some vague (incorrect) reference to the constitution?
First amendment (eg, freedom of speech) applies to the government not being able to restrict speech. Private citizens/businesses can restrict free speech all they want. Common misconception.
I don't think anyone should be reported for their personal beliefs per se, however hateful or bigoted. Someone should be reported for their service, conduct towards passengers, etc. If his comment made you uncomfortable, then report him. Also this seemed like an outburst he probably regretted. I wouldn't report him. The problem here is that there is a fine line between getting him fired for his beliefs and getting him fired for how he treats...
I don't think anyone should be reported for their personal beliefs per se, however hateful or bigoted. Someone should be reported for their service, conduct towards passengers, etc. If his comment made you uncomfortable, then report him. Also this seemed like an outburst he probably regretted. I wouldn't report him. The problem here is that there is a fine line between getting him fired for his beliefs and getting him fired for how he treats his passengers. While we all hate bigotry (at least I hope), getting people fired for it is certainly not the best way to combat it. In the short term, it might shield vulnerable groups from bad treatment but animosity will remain.
I don't really think it is appropriate to snitch on other people in a situation where they can lose their jobs just because they said something inappropriate. In a better world, a complaint like that would lead to some course where the offending driver could learn why what they did was wrong and be improved. But in reality, you are more likely to get him sacked.
Is your 'snitching' going to make him a...
I don't really think it is appropriate to snitch on other people in a situation where they can lose their jobs just because they said something inappropriate. In a better world, a complaint like that would lead to some course where the offending driver could learn why what they did was wrong and be improved. But in reality, you are more likely to get him sacked.
Is your 'snitching' going to make him a better person or help the world? Do you think he will learn the error of his ways? I would say it is more likely he would be more likely to resent 'woke' and 'PC' and potentially other races, believing them to have caused his job loss.
But if you think it is your duty to destroy the lives of people who make a split-second emotional mistake, then by all means, go for it, one just hopes you never say anything you regret in front of another person...
+1
If a customer said that to my staff, I would tell them it was unacceptable and ask them to leave.
If a member of my staff said it, I would carpet them.
But a split-second emotional burst not heard by the target, in a driving situation which you describe as tense, gets from me a little leeway - have none of those advocating snitching ever muttered while driving "I could kill him" and yet be indignant if they were prosecuted for conspiracy to murder?
You really need to ask the audience this?
Of course you should.
Report for sure - it's people with these conservative racial views who do mass shootings like the Dollar Store one
I vote no. You’re in the 305, and you and I know it’s just buck wild down there. If he got you where you wanted to go without physical harm, he did well. The fact he spoke intelligible english already places him in the upper echelon of uber/lyft drivers in the area. Expecting human decency on top of this is honestly just going too far. It’s the 305, yo!!!
Also I dont know if this...
I vote no. You’re in the 305, and you and I know it’s just buck wild down there. If he got you where you wanted to go without physical harm, he did well. The fact he spoke intelligible english already places him in the upper echelon of uber/lyft drivers in the area. Expecting human decency on top of this is honestly just going too far. It’s the 305, yo!!!
Also I dont know if this makes it better but odds are that your driver wasn’t a straight up regular ol’ white dude. There statistically almost had to be something else going on there, like at least a little hispanic heritage or something. So maybe that makes it a little better?
I've had drivers who try to proselytize me, drivers who play weird religious music the entire trip, drivers who spend the entire trip on their phones, drivers who won't stop talking, drivers who refuse to say anything at all, even hello... but never someone making such an overtly racist and nasty comment. I put up with all the other stuff without complaining about it because hey, it's a short trip and life is too short...
I've had drivers who try to proselytize me, drivers who play weird religious music the entire trip, drivers who spend the entire trip on their phones, drivers who won't stop talking, drivers who refuse to say anything at all, even hello... but never someone making such an overtly racist and nasty comment. I put up with all the other stuff without complaining about it because hey, it's a short trip and life is too short to worry about small stuff. I think this crosses a line, though, and I would definitely report it. There must be consequences otherwise this kind of behavior becomes normalized.
Absolutely report the guy. Why would you even hesitate or need anyone to confirm? I get why you were hesitant to confront him during the ride especially if you want to get where you're going and not ditch the ride or possibly get into an altercation- but if it bothers you enough to blog about it then of course you should follow up. And if he gets banned, great. He shouldn't be driving for a...
Absolutely report the guy. Why would you even hesitate or need anyone to confirm? I get why you were hesitant to confront him during the ride especially if you want to get where you're going and not ditch the ride or possibly get into an altercation- but if it bothers you enough to blog about it then of course you should follow up. And if he gets banned, great. He shouldn't be driving for a carshare service. Not (just) because he's a racist but because obviously he has anger management, aggressive driving and judgement issues. I wouldn't want a ride from anyone with road rage issues.
In my opinion, just leave it alone. In chaotic traffic situations, people naturally get emotionally charged and say things they don't mean. If you ever watch Formula One, you be astonished at what the drivers say on the radio to their engineers sometimes. Whether it be a traffic stop or a F1 race, it's the raw adrenaline.
At most, just give the driver a bad rating.
Homeboy uses that language in his car all of the time I bet.
If it was me I would not have been silent. I would have immediately said 'what you just said is totally inappropriate and racist'.
It may be his car but he is providing a service to you as a customer.
Don't be a bystander, be an Upstander. One of his (white) service users calling him out in the moment would have much more personal impact than some complaint to LYFT that he will probably receive in three weeks time.
Agree 100%. I personally would have just ignored it but if you had a problem with it then it's better to speak up than be a snitch. You'll probably catch a one-star rating for it, but you can get that for being 1 minute late or closing a door too hard.
Agree with if anything, doing it at the time.
Even better to effectively give him a chance to withdraw it, E.g. "You didn't really mean to say that did you?" which would hopefully get "No, you're right", or "No, sorry".
Standard set; no rancour created.
You are a pretty distinct looking guy, and most Lyft drivers also drive for uber/door dash etc. Miami is a small city. If you really want to risk running into this guy again- by all means.
Who cares though? I've had a uber driver get out of the car on someone at DFW airport's exit gate. I didn't say a thing because it's none of my business.
I would rate 1 star due to "bad service" or something, so they'd get the impact of a bad rating, but not lose their driver account which would happen if you'd explain the situation in detail.
Yes, I would vote 1 star. In all my Uber/Lyft rides, I’ve rated a driver 1 star only once. Other times, if I can’t rate a 5, I don’t rate at all.
Hell yeah you should report him! So what if you affect his livelihood?
And also there’s lots of great public transport in Miami you can take including the Metro, which can take you from say Miami Airport to Brickell in 20 minutes for $2.25, the Brightline train which now stops in Boca Raton and Aventura in addition to W. Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale (and soon to Orlando), Metro Mover, TriRail etc. There’s also a...
Hell yeah you should report him! So what if you affect his livelihood?
And also there’s lots of great public transport in Miami you can take including the Metro, which can take you from say Miami Airport to Brickell in 20 minutes for $2.25, the Brightline train which now stops in Boca Raton and Aventura in addition to W. Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale (and soon to Orlando), Metro Mover, TriRail etc. There’s also a perfectly good bus from the airport to South Beach.
I’m going to be there for the winter and no way you’ll catch me sitting in traffic on I-95.
Do you think you’re educating Ben on his local transport options?
Fascinating.
He didn't mention any of them. I've noticed that some people in the elite flying community wouldn't be caught dead on public transport.
Yep, using slurs like that probably goes against Lyft policies too. I'd be cited by my boss for doing that at my non-public facing job too
Dude, who cares.
@ Samuel -- Apparently you care enough to comment?
Touché!
And a lot of people care.
I mean this with respect to the comment, not the post. Just leave it alone. People say stupid stuff and when he uses that word directly to someone at the wrong time, he'll certainly pay the price. Maybe his mom died last night, who really knows. You want to destroy someone's livelihood over a word?
And this happened in Miami so good chance the driver was Hispanic right? Black people and Hispanics use stupid...
I mean this with respect to the comment, not the post. Just leave it alone. People say stupid stuff and when he uses that word directly to someone at the wrong time, he'll certainly pay the price. Maybe his mom died last night, who really knows. You want to destroy someone's livelihood over a word?
And this happened in Miami so good chance the driver was Hispanic right? Black people and Hispanics use stupid racial epithets all the dam time towards each other, especially in Miami. Let it go.
Not speaking up is why people have deemed it ok to say these sort of horrible things.
Do not be silent.
I've been angry, I've been the throes of grief, and I've never felt compelled to say what that driver said. It says a lot about you and your character if you think that's normal.
"...when he uses that word directly to someone at the wrong time, he'll certainly pay the price."
Samuel, I'm curious when you think it's the "right" time to use that word?
(pause)
Answer. None.
Absolutely report this driver.
I think Samuel is more dismissing your self conflicted inter monologue specifically meant to drive heated commentary. I personally think you should report your driver, however I don’t think you need to engage in second guessing especially in a write-up here to come to your ultimate decision. Do what your gonna do!
@Sosongblue,
Conflicted inner monologue or content for site engagement?
Welcome to blogging!
@NID
Both….sadly this is on the level of Gary, not Ben!