Carpooling ettiquite question
 

Ok, I'm taking a weekend trip to another college...I think it's like two hours away from us. Since this is going to take some gas, my mom said I ought to offer the driver some gas money. However, I've been out of town many times and NONE of the passengers offered gas money. I don't think it's fair that I should have to pick up all of the slack if other passengers don't pay, yet I agree w/ my mom, it's rude not to offer any. How I should I handle this if no other passengers offer gas money?

offer what proportionately is yours...so if there is 3 others, pay a quarter....or I'd say for a 2 hour drive maybe just $10 bucks or so.

and maybe do it in front of the other passengers so they see how rude they are.

Just because the other passengers don't offer money doesn't mean that you should let the driver pick up all the slack. Why don't you suggest to the other passengers that they chip in a few bucks?

I once took a trip to Atlanta (a six-hour drive from where I live) with 2 of my friends. Everytime we purchased something we put all of the silver change from the purchase in a bag in my car. By the end of our stay in ATL (we were only there for 2 days) we had enough silver change for gas the whole way back to Lexington!

Both posts are right.

Sometimes it's easy for people to think-Oh she's going anyway...

If they see you make the offer, it may teach the others a thing or two.

My son's friend has his father's gas card, and didn't like taking money. I just give him a $20.00 and tell them to get something to eat when they get back to Baton Rouge.

I agree with JAM.

Hopefully giving the driver $10 will inspire the others to throw in some $$$. Even if everyone donates something and you guys end up with too much money, it's still a nice "thank you" gesture for the driver for using the car at least.

When we took road trips, we would divide the price of the gas and the tolls by the number of people in the car. $10 should cover the costs with three other people.

Dionysus, when you are the driver in the future ask people to kick in some money for the gas and tolls. They won't mind. I remember I was just glad to have a ride in a car. It was much cheaper than Greyhound.

i think it depends on the road trip.
if the trip was a mutal idea, yeah you should pay.

but like last weekend, i invited my friend to come to NYC with my to get an MRI (and then shop, go to bars, etc). i paid for gas, her metrocard and her fare on the LRII. I wouldn't want her to pay for things if I invited her.

Just like if someone said, 'i'm going XYZ College, want to come for a ride?" i wouldn't pay either.

Re: Carpooling ettiquite question
 

Don't ever let the lack of common courtesy on the part of others determine YOUR behavior. You should always do what your mamma taught you to be the right thing to do :)

Re: Re: Carpooling ettiquite question
 

Yes what Thetalady said. I would give a genorous contribution because it was the right thing to do. Silly to be petty over money.

The only time I don't have a problem with people not paying for gas is if they have been driving me around a lot... like my roommate and I will just switch off who drives places.. so I don't usually offer to split anything besides like parking fees or whatever with her... BUT
I agree NOTHING pisses me off more than having a carful of people and having to pay tolls and gas (and most of the time around here PARKING ) when I'm driving.. because it means 1) if there's drinking involved, I can't and 2) I'm putting miles on my car... the burden isn't THAT much when you split it so it makes it easier on everyone.... especially with gas prices the way they are at the moment we should all be counsious of the people who drive us around..

I always had my parents' gas card in college, so I didn't accept money. However, I always offered to spot a driver a couple of bucks or buy them lunch on the road or whatever. You should do something to show that you are thankful and that you appreciate them. If everyone else decides not to pitch in, that sucks, but you can still feel better knowing you contributed :)

I would definitely offer up something in leiu of the ride because how gas prices are it isn't cheap right now

Re: Carpooling ettiquite question
 

You mom said some gas money, not all of it. Just offer your share. I think $10. When you throw the driver some money the others will prolly follow. It will still be cheaper than driving yourself plus you can sit in the back and drink.

You should tell the other passengers that you're going to chip in on gas. If you put em on the spot, they might be unprepared and look inconsiderate. Maybe it hasn't occurred to them.

DD is a TOTALLY different thing. I offer to contribute gas money if we go far, pay for parking, AND buy the DD all the non-alcoholic drinks they want...sometimes even bar food, depending on the time we go out.
The DD is sacraficing ALOT...i know how much it sucks to go to a mixer or a bar, and NOT be able to drink. sometimes you need that drink to tolarate the place!!! So i treat my DDs like gold.

but we usually take a cab anyway.