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Comment by Fundlab | Hacker News Reader

Previously drivers were not permitted to accept tips and this was mandatory. I dont know if the new tipping arrangement is going to be foisted on the passenger if not I think it is only fair for drivers to be able accept a tip from anyone who generously feels the need to do so

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The issue is that tipping culture in the US means that if tipping is accepted, the vast majority of customers will see it as necessary, leading drivers to see it as a usual part of the transaction, leading to customers who don't want to tip being seen as in the wrong. It would probably work better in nearly every other country.

On the other hand, putting on my "caring about people" hat, if Uber can't/won't pay a living wage for a day's worth of work, and keeps cutting its prices which have a direct impact on people's income, bring on the tipping.

If Uber doesn't pay a living wage, drivers should leave and do something else.

Damnit, that's no good news! :/ Uber was my #1 example of how modern companies are trying to kill the culture of tipping and it looks like I will have to look for #2.

Well, sure, but that makes the assumption that other companies will employ them. Uber has the one upside that it'll employ as many people as want to work for them, just not at a sustainable income.

Which would you rather have - some income, or none?

if Uber can't/won't pay a living wage for a day's worth of work, and keeps cutting its prices which have a direct impact on people's income, bring on the tipping.

So you can cover the cost of their employees while they intentionally run at negative margins, attempting to eliminate competition so they can later charge you monopolistic pricing?

Well, Uber's not going to go away, the practice of paying workers less than they can live on isn't going to go away under capitalism, and welfare is constantly being eaten away at - the best we can make of it is to make sure people can survive.

I wonder how this will affect rider scores if you don't tip.

As long as the driver doesn't see the tip until they've dropped off the user and rated them, I don't see it being so much an issue. I've tipped Uber drivers in cash who have been exceptionally good, but I wouldn't do it as a normal thing.

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