3 Haikus to Help You Out

Inspiration comes from the strangest places, including your passenger seat. We’ve translated some of our more unusual ride stories into haiku form. Wondering how to handle passengers like these? Follow the links for helpful resources.

Splash! Plop! On the dash
her goldfish was forgotten.
Contact lost and found.

Dinner on the seat! 
Spilled on newly cleaned carpet?
Lyft will help you out.

Bachelorette party
a little too rowdy? Please 
do rate them wisely.

Lyft passengers and drivers have good intentions at heart, but everyone makes mistakes. Let us know — we’re always here to help.

 Have a Lyft-inspired Haiku? We want to hear it. Send it over to stories@lyft.com 

What Happened to My 5-Star Rating?

You keep your car stocked with Evian water, and always have extra Starbursts. You even keep customized 80s playlists on deck. That unwavering 5-star rating is your pride and joy. Then, it happens: Your daily summary arrives, with a 4.97 driver rating.

Here are five totally understandable reasons why your rating went down:

 1. You played their break-up song.

Destiny’s Child’s ‘Bootylicious’ reminds me of my breakups, too. 

2. Their groceries rated you.

The carrots unlocked their iPhone 6. The onion opened the Lyft app, but it was the unassuming peach that gently selected four stars.

3. A toddler found their phone.

Tap, tap, drool, destroy rating.

 4. The Ghirardelli chocolate that you offered them melted.

Your center console gets hot in the sun. Next time, add cookie dough to the mix to bake that chocolate into a fresh batch of cookies. 

5. Your passenger was abducted by aliens.

“Waaaait! I need to rate my Lyft driver!”

These things happen. We understand. Think a passenger (or a peach) may have rated you unfairly? Here's what you can do.

16 Songs to Turn Driving Into an Adventure

Your tires grip the road, catapulting this thing of iron and rubber and color into space that is not here, nor there, but then and now and will be. The country is slow up ahead — obtainable even — but quick and fleeting to the side. It floods through an open window. You are the thing between the outside's rush of cold speed, and what is calm and warm behind the wheel. This is a place of fusion, of seeming impossibility — the rare mix of excitement and peace. You're on a road trip, and the mountains ahead are bigger than anything you've ever seen. We've all experienced driving like this, driving as a journey, as fulfillment of wanderlust. But for the most part, we drive to get from Point A to Point B, and in the case of a Lyft driver, to make some extra money. So, what's the difference? Why should Lyft driving be any less of an adventure?

This is your official Lyft road trip playlist, guaranteed to make your time spent in Driver Mode a little more epic. Go ahead and belt it out, feel things you've never felt before, find meaning in the mundane! Let's be unabashedly seventeen again.

Press play.

Back again, your hair is wind-blown, and you feel older, wiser — like you've traveled the open road for years. (No one has to know you never left the city.)

What Kind of Lyft Driver are You? Take the Quiz to Find Out

We all spend time cruising around town fistbumping passengers, yet we all do it our own way. Wanna find out what kind of Lyft driver you are? Take the quiz and share your results in the comments.

It takes all kinds of people to form community. Whatever your style, we're glad you're here. See you in a ride!

10 Reasons Your Passenger Isn't Answering Your Phone Calls

You've arrived at the pickup location and tapped to call your passenger, but you're not getting through. What's going on? Here are the most likely reasons why your passenger isn't picking up.

10. They dropped their iPhone 6 in the garbage disposal immediately after requesting.

Get the Kleenex ready. There will be tears.

9. They just met the love of their life in the bar.

They're stuck in a blinding vortex of blushing and giggles.

They ride horses at sunset, now. You wouldn't understand.

8. Their washing machine is belching gallons of water.

It's flooding not only their apartment, but also the apartment of the 80-year-old grandmother who lives below them.

At least you know they will smell like fresh linens when they get in the car.

7. Their corgi had a sudden Heimlich emergency.

Don’t worry he will make a full recovery and the kibble at fault was appropriately dealt with.

6. 'Love Actually' is on ABC.

Can you really blame them?

Sigh.

5. Publishers Clearinghouse showed up before you did.

Prepare to get tipped!

4. Their cat is having kittens. Right now.

It's just the miracle of adorable life. NBD.

3. It’s their birthday and they got surprise-partied on their way out the door.

Guess who’s getting cake!

2. In the wise words of Beyoncé, "The club is jumpin' jumpin'."

But seriously. It’s loud in there.

1. And the top reason why your passenger isn’t outside waiting: Nature called just as you pulled up.

Now, that's a call that takes precedence.

Show Us Your Game Day Faces with #CFPLyft, and Win Big

Who's gonna win the College Football National Championship game? Off the field, it can be you.

You'll be busy giving safe rides to sports fans attending CFP viewing parties today, and we want to see your game-day faces.

Snap photos with the biggest sports fans in your car. Tag @Lyft, and add the hashtag #CFPLyft. The top three winners will be announced Jan. 19 in the Community Digest, and see some free ride credit in their accounts. Score!

Are You Lyft's Next Einstein? Take the Quiz to Find Out

The Help Center knows all. At www.lyft.com/drive/help, you can learn how to update your insurance, switch to a new car, get the lowdown on pricing, and more. Let’s see how close you are to becoming Lyft's next mastermind.

As you master more of the Help Center, try retaking the quiz! Watch yourself progress from Noob to Novice in no time.

’Twas the Night Before Lyftmas

’Twas the night before Lyftmas, when all through the city,Not a creature was stirring, not even a kitty. Pink ’staches were tucked onto dashboards with care, In hopes with a passenger they would soon pair.

My friends were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And John Z. and Logan, each with their thinking cap, Had just settled their brains on their Lyft-changing app.

When out to the curb I ran with a clatter, I didn’t have much time, an overslept nap was the matter! Made way to my phone, a ride requested with a flash, A car soon pulled up, with a brand-new cuddlestache.

With a friendly face and skills like MacGyver, I knew in a moment he must be my Lyft driver. “I might miss my flight,” I told him with shame, And he shook his head and called me by name:

“Now, Allyson! Now, Allyson! Now, it’s late and you’re tired! On tonight! This night! You’ll see why I’m 5-star admired! To the top of the street! To the imaginary snow! Let’s dash away! Dash away! To SFO!”

And then, in a twinkling, I knew this was proof, That Lyft drivers and their magic weren’t just a spoof. I buckled my belt and after looking around, His Prius drove off with hardly a sound.

He was dressed so festive in a holiday sweater, And my clothes, so tarnished, I felt under the weather. A duffel of odd outfits, I had flung on my back, I had lost track of time and forgotten a snack!

His playlist-so lively! My eyes became teary! I couldn’t believe anyone this hour could be so cheery! His candy selection was tied with a bow, And I gasped at the amount his center console could stow.

He sang as he navigated me away from my worry, And I laughed in relief, in spite of my hurry! A fistbump and smile as he looked ahead, Soon made me realize I had nothing to dread.

We sang “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” a fun little quirk, And he handed me a granola bar, a much-needed perk. He had never let a passenger miss their flight, And I wasn’t going to be the first in his sight!

A champ, in a flash, he dropped me off with with a jingle, His soul was so kind, I thought him Kris Kringle And I heard him exclaim, ’ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Lyftmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

What Should Your #LyftCreative Theme Be? [Quiz]

Throughout the history of Lyft, the most passionate and dedicated drivers have transformed themselves into #LyftCreatives. The Creatives do more than give safe, friendly rides — they navigate themed cars that turn each ride into a uniquely memorable experience. #LyftCreatives still exist in the wild today, and it's not too late to grow into one yourself. Let's see what your theme should be.

6 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Lyft Driver in Your Life

So you're married to a Lyft driver. Or dating one. Or your best friend is one. Or perhaps your Secret Santa colleague does a little moonlighting in driver mode. Whatever your connection may be, we've got your guide to the perfect holiday gift for the Lyft driver in your life.

1. Gas gift cards.

Guaranteed to make any driver smile.

2. Homemade coupon for a car wash.

Did you ever make those little handwritten coupon books for mom or dad as a kid? Now's the time to bust out your creative side and offer your time and elbow grease in the form of a redeemable coupon good for one car wash.

Make that ride sparkle!

3. Self-care.

Depending on your relationship, you can definitely go coupon route with this one as well. Or you can purchase a gift certificate for a professional massage. Either way, all those hours behind the wheel leave much desired from the muscles.

4. Snacks!

Your driver friend is probably always stocked up on throwback treats for passengers, but you can make sure your friend remains fueled by gifting a healthy snack basket. Think things like trail mix, granola bars, dried fruits, popcorn, and gum to stay minty fresh.

5. Car accessories.

If the driver in your life is the creative type, chances are they want to get a little fancy and fun with their Lyft experiences. Hook them up with a fun steering wheel cover, some LED lights, a journal for passengers to doodle in, air fresheners, or a mason jar full of fun candies.

Even a small whiteboard and some dry erase markers can create a world of fun in someone's Lyft ride.

6. A handwritten letter thanking them for being awesome.

Last, but not least, give the Lyft driver in your life a handwritten letter thanking them for all their hard work. They go above and beyond. They spread kindness and joy to strangers. They get people home safely. They're your friend with a car.

What's your most memorable holiday moment? Share it with us at stories@lyft.com.

What To Do If Your Lyft Line Passengers Want to Get Married

If you’re in a city with Lyft Line, you’re picking up passengers who might become new friends along the way. But what if they become more than friends? What if they want to get married right then and there? It's good to be prepared for any scenario, so here’s how to facilitate a marriage in a single Lyft Line ride:

Let's make this happen!

1. Display your ordination certificate prominently in your car.

(You do have your ordination certificate, right?)

2. Kindly suggest both passengers sit in the backseat.

Because “the view of the city is better.”

3. Create a “fall in love or bust” playlist for the ride.

Songs should include but not be limited to:

• "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" - Elton John
• "We Belong Together" - Mariah Carey
• "I’ll Make Love To You" - Boyz II Men
• "Marry Me" - Train

4. Stock your vehicle with Ring Pops of various colors.

Perfect for a sweet proposal.

5. Invest in a roll of toilet paper for a makeshift dress and a Cuddlestache as a stylish bow tie.

Proper wedding attire is a must!

This piece of satirical advice brought to you by Writtalin writer Allyson Darling.

8 Signs You're Ready for Holiday Driving

'Tis the season where we swap out pumpkins for poinsettias and hunker down in the snow (or rain) for some cheer, spiced cider, and yuletide fun. Whether you're driving in the blustery North or sunny South, here are the 8 signs you're ready for the holidays. 1. You've replaced the Starbursts in your glove compartment with a box of those irresistible mini candy canes.

2. Your in-car playlist consists of Nat King Cole and Mariah Carey holiday albums. Extra points for Bing Crosby.

Holidays

3. You’re secretly hoping the mistletoe hung in your backseat will make for some interesting Lyft Line rides.

4. Your morning ritual now includes a Gingerbread or Eggnog latte. Either works — we’re agnostic.

5. You’re seriously contemplating putting a shelf elf on the back of your seat.

There's no such thing as too many in-car decorations.

6. You've found the sweet spot on your dashboard for optimal dreidel spinning.

7. Pumpkin spice air freshener out, Wintergreen and Pine in.

8. Three words: Ugly Christmas sweaters. You buy them in bulk.

Nice sweater, Santa!

Whether you're offering festive fistbumps or transforming your ride into the Polar Express, spice up your Lyft experience with a little holiday cheer. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

6 People You'll Meet in a Lyft Line Ride

I often choose Lyft Line over Lyft classic for the exciting opportunity to get to meet another stranger in my ride. You never know who you're going to get. Here are some potential people you may meet in your next Lyft Line ride. Note: Each scenario here is based on real-life Lyft Line rides I've taken.

1. Professional hula-hooper 

The back of the car is loaded up with neon-colored hula-hoops to match her multi-colored hair. You hear the beads shifting around the rings of plastic as they bump you in the head whenever the car hits a pothole. She asks if you've ever been to Burning Man. You feel way less interesting.

2. Start-up software engineer

This one's especially true if you live in San Francisco. ’Nuff said.

3. Musician in the opera

It's your lucky day, because this guy sometimes gets last minute free tickets to the opera, and he wants to exchange emails with you to let you know when they're available. How convenient that you've always wanted to go to an opera.

shutterstock_81333859

4. Two dolled-up gals who only want to talk to each other

You and your Lyft driver sit in awkward silence while your carpooling companions chat about the latest gossip before their night out on the town. They have no interest in engaging you in their conversation. And you're kind of ok with that.

5. The one who asks you on a date

Maybe you're on your way to the same bar. Maybe you will bond over your mutual love for live music. If the vibe is right, someone's getting a date tonight.

6. An old acquaintance you haven't seen in a year

You see this person's photo on the Lyft app and think, "Can it be?" You hear his familiar British accent and know instantly he's that client from when you were a receptionist at a hair salon.

You'll laugh over the coincidence of it all and feel thankful for the small world moments that can only happen in a Lyft Line ride.

Halloween Costume Contest: And the Winner Is...

We're thoroughly psyched for Halloween over here at HQ! Thanks to all who brought their a-game for our costume contest — we loved seeing your different ensembles throughout the years. Our hall of fame included the best of the best. Our two runners-up are Thiago as 8-year-old Russell from the movie Up, and Christopher as Toy Story's Stinky Pete.

Thiago Emiliano, Miami.

Christopher Power, Los Angeles.

However, the grand prize winner is Brittny from Salt Lake City, whose sock monkey costume earned the most votes from our driver community nationwide.

Brittny Baldwin Betts from Salt Lake City.

She has a box from HQ to deck out her car for Halloween on the way to her mailbox! Our two runners-up both received a little Lyft love, too, with their next Lyft rides on us.

Even if you weren't a winner this time, keep an eye out for our next contest, and remember these Halloween tips:

• A costume always delights your passengers.
• No one turns down a piece of candy.
• This is the time to break out “Monster Mash” for some karaoke.
• If you’re alone in a house and you hear a noise outside, do NOT go investigate!

Happy (almost) Halloween from all of us at HQ.

Offer a Sweet Ride With These Edible ’Staches [Recipe]

You’re waiting for your Lyft ride to arrive — the air is crisp, a breeze whips by, and you realize it’s undeniably fall. Your driver pulls up, and you're greeted with both a warm welcome and a sugar cookie. One bite, and you're reminded of being home for the holidays. Delightful! Turns out drivers everywhere are inviting passengers to step into their mobile pastry shops.

Whether you’re polishing up old recipes or whipping up tasty trials, your passengers are sure to enjoy being your guest to taste test. Bonus points if you coordinate with the season! We made these classic ’staches with a fall twist.

Here’s a foolproof recipe for sugar cookie success:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened but cool
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon whole milk

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Cream the butter and sugar until the texture is smooth and consistent. Add the egg, and mix until fully incorporated. Add the dry ingredients, and mix until the flour is just incorporated. Add the milk, and mix until smooth. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. Then roll to ¼” thickness, and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes.

For the icing:

• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 egg whites

Mix until smooth, and add more whites or sugar for desired thickness. Use your favorite food coloring to tint the icing to match your concept.

Stay sweet out there!

It's a Halloween Costume Contest! Win a Bag O' Swag

’Tis the season for spooky disguises! We love a good contest — especially if it comes with a healthy chance of embarrassment. Dig up those boxes of old photos, and find your best (or most cringe-worthy) Halloween costumes. Upload them in the comments, or email us at thehub@lyft.com. We'll post our top photo from each region for you guys to vote on. The ultimate winner will receive a bag of Halloween swag to hand out to your passengers!

To set the mood, we collected the best Halloween photos from Lyft HQers.

We can’t wait to see you all dressed up, whether it's 1983 or 2013 (we're not picky). Spook us, delight us, or tug on our nostalgic heartstrings. Just send your photo in by Oct. 22!

9 Reasons Your Mom Would Be a 5-Star Lyft Driver

You already know your mom is great. But does she have what it takes to be a Lyft driver? We'd say she's born for the role! Here's why. 1. She talks to everyone — and has no shortage of stories and life advice.

mom-socializing-kids-crafts-photo-450x400-jford-2010_03dmikeann3061

2. No one gets left behind. Her wheels can accommodate even the largest carpool.

Why Your Mom Would Make a Great Lyft Driver

3. Her front passenger seat comes with an extra seatbelt, just in case.

14-90s-mom-seat-belt

4. She's used to dealing with people who fall asleep in her car.

alseep in car

5) She's always handing out baked goods.

cookies

6. Her car is always immaculately clean — even after soccer practice, the beach, and snack time.

clean car

7. She keeps a road map of every state, so she'd never be flagged for navigation.

maps

8. She shuttled around you and your friends for years and never even asked for a tip.

ca

9. MomLyfts are legendary.

caption

If you think your mom has the qualities of a great Lyft driver, have her download the app and apply!

What does a giant donut have to do with community? [Editorial]

It's amazing how powerful a photo can be. The other day I received an email from Kory, a driver and Mentor in LA and member of the Creative Collective. I'm always excited when drivers send me photos of iconic landmarks in their city, but I was speechless when I opened this attachment in Kory's email:

randys donuts

For the unfamiliar, that's Randy's Donuts, LA's quintessential 24-hour drive-through pastry experience. This massive and delicious-looking obelisk can be found near LAX where the 10 and 405 freeways intersect (if you're an LA resident, you probably already knew that).

Why did this photo take my breath away? Well, besides being a lifelong donut enthusiast, I also have a strong connection to Randy's Donuts via this album cover. Check out the resemblance:

donuts cover

J Dilla's instrumental hip-hop masterpiece Donuts is without a doubt my favorite record of all time. You've tasted Dilla's musical flavor if you've heard Slum Village, De La Soul, The Pharcyde, or Common, but nothing compares to the raw emotion and auditory precision Jay Dee achieved with Donuts.

Still, this is more than just a great record – it's a story of passion and perseverance. Dilla produced 29 of the record's 31 tracks from his hospital bed while battling the incurable blood disease TTP as well as lupus. He poured his heart and soul into every song, and on his 32nd birthday, Donuts was released to universal acclaim. Just three days later, James "J Dilla" Yancey passed away.

When you turn on the radio, you're hearing the legacy of J Dilla and his game-changing approach to music production. His influence today remains as relevant as ever. Earlier this month, Dilla's mother "Ma Dukes" announced that her son's sampler and custom synthesizer would be added to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

ma dukes dilla smapler moog

By now you must be wondering what any of this has to do with Lyft. Remember: All of this started with a photo shared by a driver. Kory simply wanted to give me a glimpse of his city, but in doing so, he incited a flood of memories, emotions, and music.

In short, Kory's photo forged a connection between us. It created a sense of community.

Lyft was founded on the belief that community can change the world. If we can get strangers to treat each other like friends – if we see a car ride as an opportunity to meet someone new and share a piece of ourselves – we can make cities smaller, safer, and better connected.

Community simply means human connection, and human connection can take many forms: It can be a group fistbump at a local meetup, a "Like" on a Facebook post, or in this case, an emailed photo of a 32-foot tall donut.

Tune in to that feeling of community. Look for opportunities to connect with others. Open your heart, and community will come to you.

Crank up the J Dilla next time you're in the car, and tell us your favorite record in the comments.

#LyftCreatives Presents: Give Your Ride Some Patriotic Pride

It’s a sure bet that on Friday, passengers will be feelin' pretty patriotic. Keep the vibe going with these tips for giving your ride some American flair fit for Uncle Sam.

Glasses

Star-spangled sunnies are lookin' like the way to go this this Fourth of July. Buy them in bulk and hand them to passengers, or keep a just a few in the car as Lyftstagram props. Either way you choose to go, they'll be a surefire hit.

Candy

Give your normal arrangement of sweets a patriotic pick-me-up. Brands like Double Bubble, Charms, Tootsie Pops, and Blow Pops make special 4th of July candy. Be sure to stay on the look out for melt-free candy!

 Water

Normally hydrate passengers with bottles of H2O?  Take it a step further by sprucing them up with some festive labels.

Glow Sticks

When the sun goes down, there's no doubt that red, white, and blue glow sticks will be the hottest commodity.

Temporary Tattoos 

Temporary tattoos are a great way to add a little fun to your ride. There's a bunch of Fourth-inspired choices to — even red, white, and blue finger ’staches! Plus, they make for great Lyftstagrams.

How are you planning to deck out your ride for the holiday?

Fistbump Fails: 5 Greetings Gone Wrong

If you get around with a pink 'stache on your car, chances are you've mastered the art of bumping fists. But it's not so easy for everyone! Check out these cringeworthy moments of fistbumps gone wrong.

 1. The wrist grab

2.  The palm smack

3. The missed fist

4. The "I don't know what to call this because it's so awkward"

5. The recoil

Moral of the story: Fistbumps are apparently harder than they look.