Sorry, but if we're goin' the same way, why am I payin' you money? If you didn't give me a ride, you'd be goin' down the same streets as if I was in the car.

Now, if you gotta make a turn out yo way, than I'd slide you some bucks.

Probably to put up with all your questions.

It's a courtesy. It doesn't matter if you're going the same way or not, they person doesn't OWE you a ride. You're payload, and that drags on gas as well, IF you want to be technical about it. It's like saying "can you just drag my car behind yours? We're going the same direction." Well....NO, thanks.

Give the person a couple of bucks and let it go, if they ask for it. Or even offer it to get the ride if you really need/want it. If a taxi is going your direction, you'd have to pay for it, so.....

The person is giving you a ride.

The least you can do is give some gas money.

Otherwise you are just "using" that person. Use a taxi or a bus.

Coming home from work, I didn't ask for a ride, they asked me (to get on the HOV lane.) When I ride with others, no one has ever asked me for gas money. Apparently, this cat was different. I told him I didn't have it and they said "that's alright."

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I agree with you. Then again, I would never ask anyone I give a ride for money.

Vendetta1 said:

Yeah, me either.

Got a quarter tank of gas
In my new E class

slimhustle said:

It's about offering, as a courtesy, so you're not seen as a leech.

ernestsewell said:

slimhustle said:

ditto

ernestsewell said:

That makes no sense.

Vendetta1 said:

Gas money is on my list of the things you don't do after College. It's up there with crashing on a friend's couch while sober. I make exceptions if you pass out cause that wasn't a conscious decision.

Usually I would agree on offering gas money but in the circumstance you're talking about, I don't think it's necessarily warranted.

Your riding with him allowed him to get on the HOV lane, which saved him a lot of time. Time is money.

Sounds like a fair trade to me.

I drive a carpool each morning with my 3 girls, plus 3 more girls from our neighborhood. The Mom's give me a few dollars here and there..out of courtesy, I do not ask for it, but it is a very nice gesture.
[Edited 12/5/09 8:27am]

Vendetta1 said:

Makes every bit of sense, if you're not a leech, and don't have a sense of entitlement.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

agreed , i find this a strange custom

i thought people only did that here

it's a stingy practice imo
[Edited 12/5/09 9:14am]

well you could come live at my place, I am going to use pretty much the same on electricity and water and rent...so you might as well stay for free.

^ no comparison
[Edited 12/5/09 9:20am]

Dewrede said:

Why not? Both have leaches that expect to get something of value for nothing with the excuse it is not costing me anything extra. I have never been in a car pool situation when I did not at times end up waiting for someone. And the fact is the added 150 pounds does add to my cost. Now the comparison is a ridiculous exaggeration but it stands.
[Edited 12/5/09 9:22am]

^ why call it leech ?
it is not leeching
it's common courtesy to offer people that you know a ride free of charge , when you're going in the same direction
like offering guests food and drinks when they are visiting or offering rounds in a cafe
[Edited 12/5/09 9:38am]

Dewrede said:

Then all public transportation, including taxis and limos, should be free, right?

Dewrede said:

I guess I am assuming it is a regular deal. Like if you give someone a ride a few times a week to work. If it is just an occasional tag along then you are correct.

ernestsewell said:

no , they don't know you

Mars23 said:

I agree in general, but being that I haven't had a car in the last year and a half and I have wonderful friends who drive me around all over (when we hang out, to take me on shopping trips that I need a trunk to get stuff home in, etc.) I try to fill up their tank on occasion as a way to say thanks, and that I realize gas is expensive.

When I had a car I certainly didn't expect it from anyone but the times friends insisted I accepted graciously and moved on.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

in both cases i think it should be free of charge

Dewrede said:

so anyone that KNOWS you should be willing to pay to take you places?

It's being courteous enough to even offer It's the proper thing to do.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

yes , when it's in a 2 mile radius , it's only a measly few cents
[Edited 12/5/09 9:55am]

So y'all are saying I should pay some guy I've never seen in my life some gas money?