I'm a bit concerned about the recent developments related to tipping. For those who haven't heard yet, part of Uber's settlement with drivers in a couple U.S. states is that they're changing their language on their website regarding tipping. This would theoretically have a worldwide effect, not limited to just riders in the two states where the lawsuits were. (The media is covering it this way, anyway. I haven't seen details about whether the verbiage change is being implemented in all languages and all countries or not.)

The current message is (paraphrasing) "you do not need to tip." The new messaging will be "Tip is not included." Today's message didn't ban tips, and the new message won't mandate them, but everybody expects that the shift will go back to "tipping is customary, like with a taxi" vs. today's model where tipping an Uber driver is rarely done.

My concern is this: I fear Uber will do this *before* they update their app to enable tips. Drivers will begin to expect tips using physical local currency, something I almost never have whether I'm at home or abroad. (That is, little coins/notes in tipping denominations.) If they think it's now customary, they'll give poor rider ratings when people don't tip.

My preference would have been the old model. It seems like the market is already doing its work without the tips. If Uber isn't paying drivers enough, they won't log in and make their cars available. Uber has to raise the rates until enough drivers log in to match demand. This should work *without* tips.

But if we are being dragged to this new (sadly, old) model, then Uber had better quickly upgrade its app to match Lyft's, where the tip is a simple selection in the app anytime after the ride has concluded.

I'm not giving cash to drivers. That's an asinine 20th-century expectation. Even a halfway decent taxi lets me handle tips on-screen in the back seat. Update the app, and I will tip solely because I know I'm being bullied into it with the rider rating hanging over my head. (Assuming that the total fare and value prop for using Uber is still worthwhile, of course.)