“Living under the cave” has been my state when it comes with world news. I can give you gazillion excuses why, but that’s just how it is.
Until I met Uber.
Oh the joys of comfort travel instead of manic CTA schedule checking all over Chicago.
The moment you enter the car; social limits of society break off.
The incubated space of the car is filled with potential.
A potential to share something mutually, even if it’s silence. Do you get that often in life, or feel the need to fill in silence with blabber? Yeah, I thought so. For me, 90% of the time small talk turns into a genuine conversation to be had with your close friends or family.
Prime examples of Uber driver wisdom:
Disclamer** all of described conversation actually DID happen in the course of last month while taking Uber.
1) Get my political discussion and debates
“Sir, what language is that on the radio?”
“Young lady, I come from Congo and let me tell you…..…a Civil War is about to break down…”
*10 minutes parked at my destination
“…Congo need no Americans who take our kids and give us GMOed crops. We can feed the nation, we just need a good government...”
*Another 20 minutes discussing dictatorship, cover-up democracy and political despotism.
2) Learn about non-touristy travel suggestions
“Drop the beach, drop the ziggurats and go straight into the rainforest….When you climb atop that tower, you’ll feel you’ve climbed an Everest, a rainforest Everest…”
3) Hear about authentic ways of life
*** Imagine the satisfying way French people say croissant.
“Ah, I miss the French culture of food. Dip a croissant in an expresso for breakfast, get boozy with wine for lunch, yes, especially at work. And dinner. We have such a good relationship with food because it’s symbolic with closeness and social life, unlike Americans finding fuel to keep working!”
4) Learn life stories
“…you can’t just play mommy and daddy, we must take responsibility… we used every type of protection, but here I am with Maximilliano on the way…”
You know the time it takes to type into Google search “Do French people stuff their faces super late once a day and stay healthy” to check my aunt’s exaggerated French craze?
A while. But where to find a real french person? Uber happens to have some.
So yes, for 5 dollars and a ride you can buy yourself a flock of first hand, opinionated, but oh-so-genuine experiences coming from people you would have never talked to in real life.
Experiential learning outside of classroom just got real.
The next time you indulge in the time saving driving luxury, instead of catching pokemon gos on the way, ask away the co-sharer of mutual space, your possibly uber epic driver.
On the flip side, once, Uber made me late. The driver went into labor.
