Uber drivers do a tough job. They're seen as a necessary evil by the company they work for, and are pretty much hated by the taxi drivers they're putting out of business. So the least we, as passengers, can do is thank them for their efforts. By tipping them? No. By complimenting them.

When you have enjoyed particularly good service it's customary to tip the person who has gone above and beyond to make your experience an enjoyable one. This isn't true in every country around the world, but Americans certainly have a reputation for tipping.

Uber, however, doesn't really want you tipping its drivers. So much so that the company has positively discouraged the practice until now. Uber wants you to thank its drivers for a job well done in other, non-monetary ways. Which is why Uber has launched Compliments.

Give Some Love to Your Uber Driver

Uber's Compliments offers passengers the chance to quickly and easily flag why they're so pleased with their most recent trip. In addition to awarding their driver a rating out of 5, they can add a compliment such as "Excellent Service," "Awesome Music," or "Cool Car".

The idea is to add an extra layer of feedback to the Uber experience. Awarding a driver 5 stars out of 5 means you cannot fault them on anything, but what was the exact reason for that high rating? Essentially, Compliments will allow Uber drivers to discover exactly what they're doing right.

Compliments Don't Pay the Bills

This is a nice idea from Uber, but it's a little troubling when the company seems so strongly against passengers tipping their drivers. It's always nice to receive a compliment, but if you were being paid in compliments, would you really turn up for work week-in, week-out.

If it really wants to keep its drivers happy, Uber should just implement a tipping feature into its app. Everyone already knows to tip their cab driver, and Uber rival Lyft carried this age-old tradition over into its service. So why can't Uber do the same?

Do you tip your Uber driver? If so, how much do you normally give them? If you don't tip your Uber driver, is there a reason why? Do you think Compliments is a positive addition to the app or a bit of a kick in the teeth? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Elliott Brown via Flickr