Passenger Request—Can You Buy Me Liquor?
As a rideshare driver, you encounter a myriad of passengers, each with their own quirks and stories. But every once in a while, you get a request that leaves you scratching your head. One of the strangest requests I’ve faced was when a passenger asked me to buy her liquor with my own money. Yes, you read that right. And to think, I was merely there to provide a ride, and now you ask me to buy you something with my own money? A rideshare driver is already underpaid to begin with!
It all started when I pulled into the pickup location at a rehabilitation center. I noticed that her location services were showing that she was in the park behind the building, which meant I had to circle the block to reach her. As I called to confirm her exact location, her voice came through the phone—confused and irritated. “Yeah, I am in a park,” she replied, her annoyance palpable.
As I navigated to her location in the park, I felt an unsettling vibe. This trip had the potential to be a rocky ride, and as I pulled up next to her, my instincts were confirmed. She looked dejected, and I could sense that this wasn’t going to be an easy journey.
“Hello, I’m Charles,” I greeted her, but the response was a lackluster, “hi.” I attempted to break the ice, asking how she was doing, but my efforts were met with silence. The tension in the air was thick, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off with this passenger.
Then came the moment that would take this ride from awkward to downright bizarre. “Can I ask you a huge favor?” she asked, her tone shifting slightly. I braced myself for the worst—maybe a request to stop at a convenience store or a change of destination. But nothing could have prepared me for what she would say next.
“Yeah, what’s up? I asked.
“Do you think you can, um, buy me some liquor?” she asked, her voice turning soft and sweet, as if she were making an innocent request. I was taken aback. “Buy you some liquor?” I repeated, incredulous that she would even ask such a thing. Almost letting out a chuckle as my mind processed her request.
“Like, ugh, yeah,” she admitted, sounding a bit embarrassed. At that moment, I felt a mix of disbelief and concern. I had to firmly decline; “I’m sorry, I can’t. No.” It was a strange request, especially considering I was there to provide a service—not to be her personal wallet and shopper.
“No?” she said, repeating my answer, perhaps surprised or hoping for a different outcome. But I wanted to quickly move past this uncomfortable exchange. I verified her drop-off destination, and she confirmed it with a curt “yes.” The rest of the ride was filled with silence, the kind that feels like an eternity.
As we approached her destination, she broke the silence with an intriguing comment: “I’ll probably be seeing you again soon because I won’t be staying here too long. The night’s about to pop off.” Whatever that meant, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of hope and concern for her well-being.
In the end, I genuinely wished her the best. It’s moments like these that remind me of the unpredictability of rideshare driving. While I’m there to provide rides, the stories and requests from passengers can sometimes leave you with more questions than answers. Life is full of surprises, and as a driver, you never know what you’ll encounter next.
