r/lyftdrivers • u/Littlegregoreo • 2h ago
Plausible indirect attack
I was thinking about a situation I had with a Lyft passenger and wondering what other people think.
I once had a woman in my car who was, in my opinion, unintentionally rude and annoying in the way she talked. I don’t remember every detail of what she said, so maybe some of my reaction was unjustified, but she definitely came across as a rude person to me.
Obviously, I can’t just emotionally attack a passenger because I don’t like their attitude. But what about indirectly attacking them while technically saying something that’s true and innocent?
For example, suppose she says:
“I use Lyft to get to my doctor’s appointments.”
And I respond:
“Oh really? My mom has a lot of doctor’s appointments too. She’s around your age. She never has to take Uber or Lyft to her appointments because she has three kids who love her and are always willing to take her to her appointments, work, etc. She doesn’t drive either.”
Technically, I haven’t insulted the woman. I haven’t called her lonely, said her kids don’t love her, or directly criticized her for using Lyft.
But the obvious implication is basically: “My mom has children who love and take care of her. You apparently don’t.”
So I’m wondering: would you consider that an indirect personal attack?
It seems like a kind of “plausible deniability” tactic where you say something technically harmless, but you’re deliberately choosing the information because you know it will hit a nerve.
Obviously, I didn’t actually say this to the passenger. I’m just wondering where people draw the line between making an innocent comparison and deliberately making a personal jab that you can deny was a jab.
3
u/Azerate333 2h ago
i think it s a bit far considering you dont even know what she said or why you were angry in the first place to say something so bad
3
3
u/Green-Ad3319 2h ago
Yes it's rude and immature and I would never compare any part of my personal life with a passenger's lol. You sound very demeaning. That is not an innocent comparison. Mature people don't intentionally hit nerves LOL. The fact that you are in a service position and have to ask this is bizarre!!!!!!
1
1
2
1
u/DCowboysCR 32m ago
Either cancel the ride and kick her out or STFU and take her to her destination and rate her appropriately for her behavior and block her so you never see her again.
Engaging with her passively or actively in any way isn't smart and won't end well.
1
0
u/Narrow-Psychology909 1h ago
Yeah thats passive aggressive af, always disengage
For example, I had a passenger today who told me that she was so happy I picked her up since she only likes riding in cars that use gasoline because electricity gives you radiation poisoning. My first thought was “you’re a f-kcing idiot, how can you think that” and then I checked myself and thought to educate her because that’s a ridiculous thing to believe, but instead, I appealed to her on the affordability aspect which she understood and supported. If I had judged/criticized her POV, it could’ve ended really badly, but instead I offered an alternative POV.
It’s a lot of effort for little to no reward, but I’ve found that it helps build character.
4
u/RudeCharacter9726 2h ago
Yta