Conversational Query Gone Wrong?

[Xanthe_2871]

I started working for Lyft a few days ago and I've already had an awkward situation. I picked up a woman at a college late last night. I like to make conversation so I asked her what degree she was studying for. She responded "That's none of your business" and was rude for the remainder of the trip. 

 

I'd like to know, is there something I'm missing? I don't see anything wrong with my question; I'm at a loss here. Is that not an appropriate question? Is she being oversensitive? Who messed up here?

 

Thanks, Xanthe. 

[Mug]

When asking a question, I'd add a cheeky "If you don't mind me asking" at the end.

 

And of course, tone is key,

[stconquest]

The driver was not wrong.

 

The rider was not wrong.

 

#lyfe

[dalekphalm]

18 minutes ago, Xanthe_2871 said:

I started working for Lyft a few days ago and I've already had an awkward situation. I picked up a woman at a college late last night. I like to make conversation so I asked her what degree she was studying for. She responded "That's none of your business" and was rude for the remainder of the trip. 

 

I'd like to know, is there something I'm missing? I don't see anything wrong with my question; I'm at a loss here. Is that not an appropriate question? Is she being oversensitive? Who messed up here?

 

Thanks, Xanthe. 

I would say that you were not wrong for asking it. But she was also not wrong for telling you it was "none of your business".

 

It was wrong of her to act rude toward you afterwards though.

 

Some people hate small talk. I personally never have small talk with Taxi drivers (and by extension, Uber/lyft, etc). If the driver tries to small-talk with me, I'll respond, but with the most minimal answers, because to be honest, I don't really want to talk to you. Same goes with Hairdressers/hair stylists, etc. It's very common for them to engage in small talk to pass the time.

 

Now, I'm not rude about it. And I don't hate you for small talking to me. I just don't prefer it.

 

Other people love small talk, and will be happy that you engaged them in a discussion. Totally depends on the person.

 

In this case, she might have felt that telling you the degree she was studying might have been "too personal", but then again, some people are just assholes, so it's hard to say.

 

I would also suggest editing the poll to add a third option "neither".

[Mooshi]

Depends on tone. If it was a friendly manner, she was kind of a bitch tbh. If she was having an off day, still not excusable--but kind of more acceptable response. Still rude as heck. 

[Xanthe_2871]

On 2/2/2017 at 4:34 PM, Mug said:

When asking a question, I'd add a cheeky "If you don't mind me asking" at the end.

 

And of course, tone is key,

That's good advice, thank you!

[Xanthe_2871]

On 2/2/2017 at 4:50 PM, dalekphalm said:

I would say that you were not wrong for asking it. But she was also not wrong for telling you it was "none of your business".

 

It was wrong of her to act rude toward you afterwards though.

 

Some people hate small talk. I personally never have small talk with Taxi drivers (and by extension, Uber/lyft, etc). If the driver tries to small-talk with me, I'll respond, but with the most minimal answers, because to be honest, I don't really want to talk to you. Same goes with Hairdressers/hair stylists, etc. It's very common for them to engage in small talk to pass the time.

 

Now, I'm not rude about it. And I don't hate you for small talking to me. I just don't prefer it.

 

Other people love small talk, and will be happy that you engaged them in a discussion. Totally depends on the person.

 

In this case, she might have felt that telling you the degree she was studying might have been "too personal", but then again, some people are just assholes, so it's hard to say.

 

I would also suggest editing the poll to add a third option "neither".

That's understandable, I suppose. Most of my customers are talkative, but maybe that's just where I live. People here usually like to chat. I'm not sure if I asked her something she didn't want to talk about or if she decided in that moment to end the conversation by being rude.