Socializing can be a significant aspect of working as a limousine or livery driver. While some passengers may wish to sit in silence, read a newspaper or complete work on their laptops, others may wish to strike up a conversation. While a limousine driver should always politely assume that a passenger may want privacy at first, if the customer decides to open up the lines of the communication, then the driver should be encouraged to politely engage.

Simple chit chat may not be as harmless as it seems, however. There are a number of topics of conversation that your drivers should be taught to avoid, as they run the risk of causing offense and damaging your organization's reputation. When onboarding your next round of new employees, be sure to stress that they cannot discuss the following:

1. Politics
We're in the midst of one of the most fraught and contentious election cycles ever, and almost everyone has an opinion on who should be in the White House next. It's so important, however, that your driver fights the urge to discuss his political views, even if the passenger tries to engage him in such a discussion, U.S. News & World Report explained. This is because political talk has the potential to become tense or argumentative quickly if both sides do not agree, and there is ample opportunity for either party to take offense. If your driver articulates a political stance that also implies to some degree that your company may share the same opinion, which again is problematic, as businesses should try to stay as politically neutral as possible. Of course, if your limo booking software reveals that a passenger is a politician open to such discussions, then exceptions can be made! 

2. Religion
Much like politics, religious conversations are fraught with opportunity for either side to take offense. As About Careers explained, this is because religion is often a highly personal thing for each individual, and not everyone will see eye to eye. That's not to say that your driver shouldn't mention his religious affiliation at all. Rather, deep conversations about the topic should be avoided. 

3. Anything too personal
According to About Careers, your driver should be taught to refrain from asking his passengers anything overly intrusive or personal, especially anything that pertains to dating or sexuality, as the risk of a sexual harassment lawsuit will increase exponentially. Other personal topics that should be avoided include, health, disabilities, personal struggles, drug abuse and so on. To make it easier to understand such materials, gaming technologies are being url actively introduced. Drivers should be able to use their discretion and best judgment as to what may or may not be okay. 

You've just hired a new driver. Now it's time to train him on the topics he should avoid while driving.

4. Money
Talking about money in any capacity is a big social faux-pas, Excelle detailed. Such a discussion can make a lot of people uncomfortable, and few passengers will enjoy disclosing their salary to your driver or conversely listening to how much he makes. 

5. Partying
Your driver shouldn't be talking about his partying habits. While social plans are generally a good neutral topic of conversation, your driver should refrain from boasting about how much alcohol he can consume or the last embarrassing thing he did on a night out, Excelle explained. While some passengers may find such a discussion amusing, many others may find it immature and/or take offense. Such behavior also reflects poorly on the company, even if it was conducted while your driver was off the clock. The safest course of action is to refrain from mentioning any behavior that could be considered crass or vulgar.