Rideshare Drivers Share Their Most Memorable Customer Encounters
Ridesharing services have become increasingly popular in recent times, giving Uber and Lyft drivers the opportunity to earn some extra money. It also makes for an interesting way for them to amass their own collection of heartwarming, if bizarre, stories. Some rideshare tales involve picking up a celebrity, or discovering a new food, or even having a very open conversation.
Whatever the case, these stories are a good example of rideshare customers who get high ratings rather than those terrible passengers who end up getting one star. Take a look at these genuine tales from real-life Reddit users.
The Grieving Woman
From Redditor /u/w0nd3rk:
I’ve had a lot of these, but I’m gonna go with the most heartwarming for me. I had picked up an older woman at a grocery store in my hometown and helped her load her groceries in the trunk. She gets in the car and says, “Do you have the address? I hope I did it right. I wasn’t too sure. I just lost my own personal Uber driver a few months ago.”
Now, I had just lost my own grandfather, who practically raised me, less than a year prior to pancreatic cancer, which (to those who don’t know) is generally a swift and painful death. So this little old lady and I talked about our respective losses in the 8 minute ride from the store to her apartment, and by the end of it we were both crying. I got out and gave her a big hug and had to shut off the app and just go home to my husband.
The Great Tipper
From Redditor /u/Smitty_733:
Picked up an older couple to take to a southern suburb of Denver. Had a nice chat about life and kids, the husband tossed me a $20 as he got out, and then the wife handed me a $100 for "my kid's saving account." Needless to say I gave them my number but they haven't reached out to me again.
The Beer Buds
From Redditor /u/Kahlvin:
I picked up a few guys that were planning on going to a friend's hotel room to drink. They brought along a garbage bag full of Bud Light. On the way there, they decided to go straight to the bar instead. When we got to the bar they left without the bag full of beers, and when I pointed that out they told me that I could keep it as a tip.
That was 3 weeks ago. I still have a bunch left.
The Music Fans
From Redditor /u/runjimrun:
Chicago. Picked up two guys from a Billy Corgan concert. They got in and wanted to play their own music. Asked if I like Queen. Yes. Yes, I do. Puts on "Bohemian Rhapsody," turns it up. When that ended he asked what I like. I said Rush. He puts on "Tom Sawyer." We jam. Then he puts on Van Halen. We jam. I pull up to their place and the dude in back was like, "Great ride! We should have filmed that because it would have made an awesome Uber commercial!" It's people like that that make the night fun.
Ivar The Terrible
From Redditor /u/KindledAF:
Some guy that I suspect had not just been drinking told me my name was henceforth Ivar the Terrible and [swore] loyalty to me such that when inevitably all the children would try to overthrow us, we could defend our empire.
I had to explain that I was a pretty “in with the new and out with the old” kinda guy so I didn’t think it was going to work out, but he was passed out by the time I finished.
He cried when I got him home and hugged me. He didn’t think his friend would pay for the ride all the way there. It was my first night doing rideshare and honestly because it was overall such a slow boring and not well-paying experience I probably wouldn’t have done it again if it wasn’t for that one ride. Six months later it’s my full-time job since I graduated.
The Drone Owner
From Redditor /u/Pugcitypugpugcity:
He had a New Zealand guy with a bunch of suitcases/equipment and had to take him to the Jettys in Fremantle (Western Australia) as there was some huge military boat/ship that was docked there and this guy was sent from New Zealand to take some footage of it. The guy dropped him off and he turned to him and said, "How would you like to make some quick cash if you help me out with something while we are here?”
He then asked the driver to fly a drone around the ship for him, while he recorded about 30 secs of footage from the drone of the ship. Apparently the drone was worth about $15,000 and he scored $200 just for flying it around for him.