The Command Performance

 I've been doing this for over 9 years and 40,000 rides now, and for the past few, I've really been making the effort to stay closer to home, even if it costs me a few bucks or takes me a little extra time. The chance of getting into some kind of automotive trouble spikes further away, whether it's a flat tire, missed signal, etc., etc., and I also enjoy being able to give local recommendations for food and such. If your rideshare driver is stressed, that can't be good for tips, either -- and my tips percentage has definitely gone up over the years.

The side effect of this is how, especially when your hours are relatively consistent (i.e., I usually work nights), you are going to run into the same customers from time to time. And when your ride is distinctive, or you insist on consistently quirky amenities, it gets memorable.

Which can be a little awkward, because, well, I've got a go to list of conversational tactics and topics that I'll hit, rather than risk driving while doing Serious Thinking. And as much as you might want me to stick to playing the hits... you probably actually, well, don't.

So, if you get in the car and recognize me, by all means, feel free to start a conversation. But give me something new to work with, because (spoiler alert)... I probably don't remember the last time I took you somewhere, given the, um, 40,000 rides.

Also, this. 

If I *do* remember everything we talked about the last time?

I might not have done so, with, shall we say, perfect kindness and charity...