Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Making Etiquette Easy: Sharing a Ride

Image from www.thedailygreen.com

Every once in a while, we’re going to have to ask for a ride. Whether it’s car trouble, a close-call departing flight, a sprained ankle or the dealership doesn't have a loaner while your car is being repaired. And since we’ve all been called to help someone out by playing chauffeur for the day, we should all feel comfortable following a few guidelines for sharing a ride on a friend or coworkers’ wheels:

  • Be Prompt: If you ask to be picked up at a certain time, you should be ready at that time. No one likes to burn fumes outside of your house waiting to take you where you need to go. Remember, they are doing you a favor.
  • Have Directions: Always be over-prepared and bring directions. Even though you think the driver surely knows your destination, it’s better to be on the safe side and not cause any misdirected frustrations.
  • Offer to pay for Gas/Snacks: If your ride is extensive, you should certainly offer to pay the driver gas money, offer to buy them Starbucks, or take them to lunch on another day. The price you are paying is much less than if you had taken a cab.
  • Make Polite Conversation: It is very uncomfortable to ride in a car with a silent partner. If you know the person well, this likely won’t be an issue.
  • Let the Driver be in Control: Even if you loathe the music that is playing on the stereo, do your best to ignore it. The person behind the wheel is doing you a favor and you are obliged to follow their lead. This includes biting your tongue if you dislike the way they drive. If it becomes a persistent problem, you might consider asking someone else for a ride in the future.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina

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