When is the last time you held a five minute conversation with a total stranger? Probably not so recently. More often than not, one will hop into an Uber or Lyft vehicle, politely say "Hello" to the driver, and resume staring at his or her phone screen. It is not too difficult to imagine why any dialogue is necessary for the short ride. Social skills may not be one of your strong suits, maybe you are fixated on a news article or another conversation, or perhaps you just do not feel like wasting your time. Well I am here to tell you today that a conversation with your Uber driver is not a waste of your time, and here's why.
It is standard to assume that one learn's something new every day. In fact, it is more likely that you learn several new things a day, and conversational dialogue with your Uber driver, or with any random individual for that matter, is simply another outlet for such opportunity.
I was fortunate enough to spend a month in the great City of Angels over the summer. There were quite a few times that I needed to Uber to places, and with my first few experiences, I was a mute. On some occasions, I found myself completely occupied by the windowsill, adoring Sunset Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, until one day, a rather affable fellow was more conversational than I could have ever anticipated. Immediately, I learned about my driver's history, how he had immigrated to this country from Mexico to thrive in the land of opportunity. I learned about his son and his passion for film, and so much more, all in the course of 20 minutes.
But what good does this serve? For one, it develops the essential skill of communication. You must know how to hold lively conversation, no if's or but's. Second, do not forget that your Uber driver is local. I would argue that Uber conversation is one of the best ways to learn about an unfamiliar culture or community. And third, listening to and sharing stories is a healthy method of inspiring thoughtfulness and creativity. Over the course of my stay in Los Angeles, I was humbled by the amount of actors trying to make it in Hollywood, just as I was equally motivated to learn from these amazing stories.
So I urge you, dear reader, to put down your phone, and strike up a conversation with your Uber driver. You have nothing to lose!
