’10 stars, would ride with again.’
A woman went viral after posting a video of an unusually lively Uber ride after requesting a quiet ride.
On June 18, @hafinwa posted a TikTok, which has amassed over 110,000 views as of this writing, of herself in an Uber with blaring techno music. The text overlay reads, “Chose ‘quiet preferred’ on way home from a funeral, then this guy picks us up.”
The comments were generally making light of the unfortunate incident. “Not the vibe you wanted, but the vibe you needed,” wrote one commenter.
However, some of the comments questioned what “quiet preferred” entails. “I mean, when I say ‘quiet preferred,’ what I really mean is don’t talk to me,” added another. “So this is perfect.”
Did This Uber Driver Violate Uber’s Guidelines?
Uber first introduced its “Quiet Mode” feature in May 2019. This was introduced within a package of rider preferences for its premium Uber Black and Uber Black SUV services. The feature was designed to allow passengers to communicate their conversation preferences before the ride begins, selecting either “Quiet preferred,” “Happy to chat,” or “No preference.”
Uber said the feature was intended to help riders who wanted to work, rest, take calls, or simply enjoy a quieter trip without the awkwardness of having to explicitly tell a driver they were not interested in conversation. The company later expanded similar preferences to Uber Comfort rides, where riders can also request temperature settings and other accommodations.
“Quiet preferred” does not necessarily mean complete silence. Uber has consistently described the setting as a preference rather than a guarantee of silence in the vehicle. According to Uber, the feature is meant to signal that the rider would prefer minimal conversation. However, the feature was designed to still allow drivers to communicate essential information related to the trip.
How Are These Rules Enforced?
Uber representatives have previously emphasized that drivers remain independent contractors. This means that they are not strictly required to comply with every preference in the same way an employee might be required to follow a company directive.
Some people understand “quiet preferred” to mean no talking. However, others believe it means a generally silent environment with little or no music. This explains why there might easily be misunderstandings like the one depicted in the video.
AllHipHop reached out to @hafinwa via TikTok direct message and the TikTok comment section and to Uber via email. We will update this story if either party responds.
@hafinwa No worries brotha #uber #taxi #uberdriver #taxidriver ♬ original sound – HannahHannahHannah
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