Rides That Talk Back
In an age where mobile screens have hijacked relationships, where keypad sounds buzz louder than face-to-face conversations, where deadlines have more chance of meeting than your dear friend from Kajang — Uber is a blessing in disguise to my otherwise cheap commute (monorail) to work.
Sometimes my excuse is “I don’t know the way,” or “I don’t trust Waze.” Other times the driver wants me to sit in front, out of fear of getting badgered by other cab drivers. In either case, I enter the car with the intention of going from point A to point B — but almost always end up meeting and having long conversations with different types of Uber drivers.
Some drivers are funny, some are serious — but they all have some story to tell.
Here are some of those different drivers I have met:
The ex oil and gas employee now a driver
“I earned a high salary in my previous job, but guess what — Uber doesn’t pay that bad too.”
The struggling job seeker driver
“You know sir, the economy of Malaysia is not all that good. I am finding it tough to find the job I really like. Till then, Uber helps me sustain.”
The fund-my-fees student driver
“Earlier I used to work in a café. Now I drive. I like Uber as I can earn more and also get to meet different types of people.”
The soccer mom driver
“I took up Uber driving as I have to send my children to school every day. I use my in-between free time to drive and earn a little extra income.”
The once-a-businessman driver
“I incurred big losses in my real estate business. I’m a contractor by profession. Uber is helping me sustain some of my losses.”
The never-became-salesman-of-the-year driver
“I am a salesman, but the fixed income is so low that I have to find alternate ways to make more money.”
The ‘I’m a millionaire but still like to drive’ driver
“I am a geologist working in China. Every time I come back to Malaysia on holiday, I drive Uber. It’s so boring to be at home doing nothing.”
The recovering-from-mental-illness driver
“I am a doctor by profession, but due to my mental illness, I am not practicing medicine anymore. Uber lets me meet new people, and it’s helping me cope with my issues.”
The ‘My GF won’t marry me because I’m a driver’ driver
“I’ve had relationships in the past, but no girl takes me seriously as I am an Uber driver.”
The aspiring Bollywood actor part-time driver
“I am doing a course in acting and art direction. All my friends are married and doing stable jobs. I’m 28 and still haven’t finished my course. I know my passion won’t give me stable income soon — but that doesn’t dissuade me from pursuing my childhood dream.”
The ‘My boss doesn’t know I drive’ driver
“Well, I have so much free time that I can drive Uber and still finish my daily sales calls on time. Shhh… my boss is calling me. I have to pretend I’m still at home.”
So, the next time you’re calling an Uber…
Remember, there’s more to your ride than just commuting from point A to point B — only if you have an open mind.
If you’re stereotyping your Uber driver as boring, less cool, or kitschy, then you might want to rethink. There are all kinds of people out there, and a little dollop of conversation won’t harm your ride.
So, do share with me an interesting conversation or story you had with your GrabCar or Uber driver. I would love to hear them.
