Auto ride turns awkward; driver asks about woman's career, income

Time of India

3 days ago

Gig rides one click away have made our lives easier by helping us commute to and fro, where auto-rickshaws are a vital part of daily travel, and riders often find themselves not just amid the journey but also in awkward situations, and at times, uncomfortable interactions with drivers.
While many drivers are polite and professional, incidents involving overstepping boundaries and disrespectful behavior are increasingly being highlighted on social media platforms.
More and more passengers are opening up about these uncomfortable situations, especially women, who often face unsolicited comments, judgment, or worse. As ridesharing apps and auto services become more common in cities, expectations around basic courtesy, privacy, and professionalism are also evolving.
What exactly happened
A woman recently shared an uncomfortable experience she had during her daily commute in an auto-rickshaw, and the incident has sparked quite a conversation online.
According to a post she shared on LinkedIn, her auto driver agreed to take her to her office, which was about 19 kilometers away. However, during the ride, the driver began questioning her choice of job location and even tried to estimate her salary. Things took a turn when he decided to cut the ride short and dropped her off one kilometer before her actual destination.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Undo
In her post, she wrote, 'My auto driver dropped me off 1 km before my office. Mid-ride. Because 'madam, itna dur nahi jaa sakta.' (Total 19 km, so he drove for 18). He then proceeded to question my life choices (itni door kyun job liya), calculate my salary, rant about how he should have never accepted the ride (even though he agreed to it without any gun involved).'
She went on to add a message for others who may find themselves in similar situations: 'Sometimes, your journey will be inconvenient for others and they will leave you in between.
That's okay. Just rate them 1 star and move on.'
Social media reactions
The post then gained attention and got innumerable reactions on social media. One user commented, '18 km of dedication, and 1 km of unsolicited life advice. Auto rides in India do offer a full-stack experience.' Another joked, 'Mad Auto Fury Road.'
Another person wrote, 'That's so deep. I'm sure you're not talking about the auto driver here, right? I mean, he just gave you a life lesson in 'when things don't go my way, I'll bail on you mid-ride' philosophy.'
Another added, 'When podcasters turn Cab Drivers.'
Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. Another incident happened in Bengaluru previously, another woman shared her experience with a Rapido auto driver who allegedly tried to steal from her bag while she briefly stepped away.
According to her account, the driver had been watching her through the rear-view mirror during the ride, which made her uneasy. When she asked him to stop at a shop for coffee powder, she returned to find him trying to open her handbag.