This is exactly the response I received from drivers early on as an Uber rider. (Refusing a cash tip) I suspect that these drivers were new, accustomed to drinking the Uber Kool-aid, and not jaded from Uber's rate policies that cause low pay.

Early on, Uber attempted to establish a "no tipping" culture within their domain and drivers have been trained to accept same. In the meantime, Uber has slashed rates to the point where drivers feel that customers should make up the difference because of the low pay. So where we are now is somewhat pivotal - do we accept that we should subsidize Uber's exploitative rates for drivers by tipping, or do we take a stand that Uber drivers should simply not drive for Uber because they are exploitative, and seek alternative means of income, and not tip, since "no tip" has always been part of the product we bought into.

Personally, I am in the "no tip" column here. Firstly because this is what Uber has always sold as their service to both riders and drivers. It is not our responsibility as riders to have to make up for Uber's inability to provide what they have promised - a ride where a tip is not necessary. This is Uber's promise, and it is Uber's responsibility to ensure that drivers are indeed made whole without introducing a tipping system to subsidize inadequate pay. If drivers take it out on me (via crappy service or lower ratings, or whatever), so be it. I will rate accordingly. At the end of the day, it is Uber that needs to change, either by acknowledging tipping in its own app, or raising rates so that it is truly not needed.

What does all of the above mean? There will be many opinions, but from my POV, it means that until Uber makes clear by the positive endorsement of a tip through the app, I strongly urge you to refrain from tipping otherwise. Doing so simply ruins it for the rest of us who would prefer a clearer, more transparent means of knowing what it costs for a commodity service.