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David Streitfeld reports at the New York Times that people routinely use the Internet to review services from plumbers to hairdressers but now the tables are turned as companies like Uber are rating their customers, and shunning those who do not make the grade.
"An Uber trip should be a good experience for drivers too," says an Uber blog post. "Drivers shouldn’t have to deal with aggressive, violent, or disrespectful riders. If a rider exhibits disrespectful, threatening, or unsafe behavior, they, too, may no longer be able to use the service." It does not seem to take much to annoy some Uber drivers. On one online forum, an anonymous driver said he gave poor reviews to “people who are generally negative and would tend to bring down my mood (or anyone around them).” Another was cavalier about the process: “1 star for passengers does not do them any harm. Sensible drivers won’t pick them up, but so what?”
In response, some consumers are becoming more polite and prompt. "The knowledge that they may be rated is also encouraging people to submit more upbeat reviews themselves, even if the experience was less than stellar," writes Streitfeld. "When services choose whom to serve, no one wants to be labeled difficult." The result may be a Barney world says Michael Fertik referring to the purple dinosaur who sings, “With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you/ Won’t you say you love me too.”
(Score: 2) by jdccdevel on Wednesday February 04 2015, @04:35PM
One of the worst things about small towns is a single "bad rating" can also mess things up for someone for a very, very long time, and be really hard to overcome. This helps make small towns the playground of bullies and gossips much more so than big cities, where some level of anonymity can be had.
One of the nicest things about small towns is that they're small. You can find another one if you really want to (or need to escape the bullying), or go to the "big city" and discover yourself.
If cities become like small towns, that sort of escape and self discovery is going to become that much harder.
This is especially true as rating apps like this become more common, since the rating will be available to anyone with a internet connection; regardless of where they're at. We're already starting to see the beginning of this with social media, where online rumors, bullying, and gossip are proving impossible to escape.
(Score: 2) by tathra on Wednesday February 04 2015, @06:24PM
it doesn't even need to be an actual 'rating', just a vindictive asshole with more charisma than you. if the lies they spread prevent people from getting close, you never get the chance to demonstrate the truth.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Wednesday February 04 2015, @08:52PM
One of the nicest things about small towns is that they're small. You can find another one if you really want to (or need to escape the bullying), or go to the "big city" and discover yourself.
If cities become like small towns, that sort of escape and self discovery is going to become that much harder.
Look if you've exhausted all the small towns, and are close to eliminating all the available cities, and people STILL gossip and bully you, maybe it really IS just YOU.
I suppose I still have to allow for the fact that you might be just an unfortunate Joe Btfsplk sort of person.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.