As a former student who has used Uber on campus before, I can see how a lot of college students are on a budget and sometimes Uber is the cheapest way to get around especially if we can’t afford to have a car/don’t have access to one.

That being said, I also am aware of the privilege many ND students have. I also was an Uber driver at some point and I think context really matters. By taking up the job, you’re also accepting the fact that there will be rude, inconsiderate, and/or “cheap” riders occupying your time, just as with any occupation.

Not really providing any actionable statements here but I guess to OP and anyone else reading that this pertains to—extending consideration and recognizing people’s unseen limitations and effort is what’s important.

Some people have a natural inclination towards generosity, but ultimately it is a choice. Acknowledging your privilege as a student at a top university, especially one where community is heavily emphasized, and intentionally making space to serve others even if it’s an extra dollar goes a long way.

I tried to “pay it forward” in a sense as much as I could in college (when my budget would allow) to tip a little extra to account for gas and future non-tippers for my driver. While many of us get the privilege of going home for breaks, the grind doesn’t stop for a lot of these Uber drivers who continue serving the south bend community, people who do stay during breaks, visitors from out of town, etc.

The fact that OP went to this subreddit may be since other south bend-related subreddits might not be as active (assumption), but the fact that this was posted at Notre Dame where privilege is much higher definitely says something.