As much as I don't tip professional sexworkers, I reluctantly do tip at restaurants and Uber, even though I detest the idea.Slightly off topic but I find the tipping culture out of control. Sometimes I go places and the terminal for payment asks if I want to tip and it makes absolutely no sense. Why would I want to tip in a store? Why would I want to tip the Airbnb host?
I’ve only a handful of times tipped the Uber drivers. I do if they go above and beyond. The ones I’ve tipped had water bottles in a mini fridge, had an iPad behind the headrests so that you could play during a long car ride, they opened my door once arrived at destination. You could tell they made you their priority during the car ride as opposed to making money their priority. So for that I tipped them.
Like restaurant workers, many Uber drivers don't make much money after costs for their car, etc. Further, their app rates the customer, including whether he is a good tipper, as discussed on an Uber driver forum. Many Uber drivers also will not pick up the program where you can call to get a ride for those who don't have an app. There are mostly elderly in poor health who have lots of help needs and don't usually tip well.
I use Uber a lot - including in Toronto if I have to go DT (I stay in Mississauga) to meet friends and go fed up with the traffic mess, parking etc. I even used Uber in Germany instead of their excellent train system. So I want to have a good grade with Uber and tip even detecting it and justify it since they are not earning high hourly rates of sexwork professionals that do not need tips, and I have never had any raise an issue.