What’s your stance?
I’m assuming the passenger is not to far off your way home. And in case it’s not clear the 3rd poll option is the pay to play option.
I voted “other” because it depends. Is this someone who lives on my way and won’t ask me to stop for lottery tickets and is waiting for me to pick him up? If so, he gets dropped off an picked up. SG got free rides because I think that ridesharing is a good thing and I’d be going that way anyhow.
Is it a friend who suddenly needs a ride to the airport? Friends do that sort of things for friends. If I had to stop for gas on the way, I’d expect my friend to offer to pay.
I’d never think of accepting gas money for a one-off favour. If it’s a recurring arrangement. like car pooling to work, then yeah.
I chose other. If I’m giving you a ride every once in a while, then no. If it’s more than that, but not a regular thing, then buy me some gas or lunch or a beer, when it feels like you start to owe me. If we have a scheduled every day ride share agreement then we should have agreed to fair compensation.
Yeah, it’s an “it depends” for me as well. If I’m giving someone regular rides, that person should at least offer to fill up the tank now and then. Cars cost money to buy, and they cost money to maintain, as well as needing gas. If it’s just an occasional thing, and I don’t have to go much out of my way, then keep the money. If I know that the person is dead broke with few chances to get money in the future, then giving a ride now and then, or even giving a ride on a regular basis, might be my way of trying to ease their life a bit.
One of those things my dad taught me:
“You should never worry about who pays for gas, lunch, or drinks with your friends. If it continues to be really uneven, you need a different friend, not different accounting methods.”
So I voted “Keep it”.
I also said “Other.”
If it’s a one-time thing nearby and I don’t have anything better to do, no problem.
If we’re carpooling and you’re not seriously struggling financially, I’d expect you to pay your share, but if you can barely keep a roof over your head, don’t sweat it.
If you’re going to be using up a lot of my time and a lot of miles on my car for your convenience, you durn well better be kicking in for gas, and maybe lunch, too. I’d do the same for you.
Other.
Depends on the person. I have given many a ride to work (car problems, whatever) and usually no big deal as it is at least sort of on the way and I am driving there anyway and it wasn’t a long term thing.
I was once burned by a co-worker - she had me pick her up (a bit out of the way) and would be late showing up downstairs, then she started having me stop by dry cleaners and shops on the way home, and then she started working late some nights and wanted me to hang around to wait for her, and and and…I started to feel like her personal chauffeur and made up an excuse not to pick her up anymore. And not ONCE did she ever offer to give me a nickel for gas - not that it would have made me continue, but would have been at least a nice gesture.
If it is a favor for a friend, they can keep their money. If it is a favor for an acquaintance or a coworker, it depends on how much it inconvenienced me. If they were ready to go, didn’t make a mess in my car, and were polite about asking, they’ll probably keep it.
Long story short, if I didn’t mind doing it, they keep their money. If I want to discourage it, I may take the money.