What Passengers Don’t Realize About Uber Drivers - A Response to Ryan Clark
ESPN analyst and former NFL player Ryan Clark recently shared a story. He’s tired of being “musically profiled” in Uber rides, drivers switch to rap without asking, assuming that’s his preference.
I’m an Uber driver. And I have thoughts.
I'm not here to defend or dismiss. Instead, I want to clarify what’s probably really happening inside the car: these moments are rarely about conscious profiling, but rather about drivers making quick, imperfect guesses to create a positive experience.
Are Uber Drivers Profiling Passengers?
Maybe. But probably not in the way people think.
Most drivers aren’t making overtly racial judgments. Instead, we’re making split-second decisions based on context, not identity. For example: Where are we picking you up?
What time of day is it?
Is this a party crowd or a quiet airport run?
Is it Friday? Drivers try to figure out what mood passengers might want before they get in, and music is a tool to help set that mood. tools we use to set the tone.
Music Is a Tool, Not a Statement
Think about music in other settings, such as retail stores, coffee shops, and hotels. Music creates ambience. Uber drivers do the same.
For me, that might look like:
Early morning airport ride: soft jazz, very low volume
Business traveler: background instrumental music
College students heading out: pop or upbeat music
Bridal party: whatever gets the energy up
I’m not making a statement. I just want to avoid awkward silence and create a comfortable ride.
Why Ryan Clark’s Example Felt Off
Ryan’s frustration is understandable. Sunday morning. Explicit rap. No conversation or question. That’s not my approach, either.
If the story happened as described, I agree, the driver missed the mark. But here’s the main point: nearly all of these music choices stem from an attempt to improve the passenger experience, not to stereotype or offend.
Sometimes, we get it wrong.
The Thing Passengers Don’t Realize
Uber drivers can’t see you. We don’t see eye rolls. We don’t see discomfort. We don’t see you. There is no non-verbal feedback for us to read. We rely on what passengers say, how they say it, or if they stay silent. We often assume silence means you’re okay with things, even if that’s not true.is often misread as approval.
That’s why communication matters so much.
One Sentence Fixes Almost Everything
Almost any Uber issue can be solved with one sentence:
“Mind if we turn it down?”
“I’m going to take a call. Quiet is great.”
That’s it. Drivers want you to be happy. Happy passengers tip more. It’s not complicated; we just can’t read minds.
This Is Still a Human Experience
For now, Uber rides are still driven by people, not robots. People are trying to get you to a safe place. People are doing 20, 30, 40 rides a day. People make quick judgments with limited information.
Most drivers do their best. If you want something different, just tell us, we’ll almost always say yes.
Final Thought
Music choices aren’t profiling; they’re guesses, usually intended to create comfort, not to offend.
Sometimes it lands. Sometimes it doesn’t.
But if we talk to each other like humans instead of making assumptions, most of these moments disappear before they ever become Instagram posts.
