HOW TO START A DAY: It was 5 am. when I got my first ride, picking up a couple at a bar that had been closed for awhile. The wife got in first and after I handed her a mask, she told me her husband was anti-mask and not to be insulted if he gave me a hard time. (he didn't) They had been celebrating his 32nd birthday. They had been up all night and I'm sure had plenty to drink, but they were thoughtful, pleasant and entertaining. They would have been a great ride in the middle of the day. They did talk a lot and sometimes they were talking to me at the same time, which was pretty funny. They appreciated the ride a lot since two drivers canceled on them. They said they would give me a good tip, however they really gave me a great start to the day. She told me that she had met Chipper Jones, the Hall of Fame Baseball player and said, "I would have had his babies." When I started telling them my Super Bowl ring story, he asked if he could record the story and he did for some reason. He loved the idea that I was keeping track of my my favorite comments and blogging about it and said, "that's fucking genius." They also told me about a vacation they took a few years ago with their two kids. They rented a cabin on a mountain where there was three feet of snow. It was so dangerous that he had them get out of their Cadillac Escalade and walk up the hill. He barely made it up the hill and the neighbors were watching him. The wife got out first and immediately put a $20 tip on the app which was great. The birthday boy was still talking to me when he handed me a $100 bill. I was shocked and actually said, "I can't take that." He insisted and said, "you're the best Uber driver I've ever had. We were just hoping someone would pick us up." It's the best tip I've ever gotten and if they read this-I greatly appreciated the tips and I and hope to drive you again. Below is part of my tip.
MY FAVORITE RIDER OF THE MONTH: I've had a lot of good rides, but when I drop off a "great rider", there's a different feeling. I can't help but grin from to ear to ear and think, "there's someone I'd really enjoy being around." Sometimes I can tell that this is just a terrific person, or someone extremely unique, or someone who can make you laugh or amaze you with what they've done in their life. My 32 year-old male rider was all of the above and more. He used to sell $70,000 cars for three years until he stopped when he, "didn't like what he had become." My guess is that he was very good at it. He's a jack and bore specialist which deals with sewer construction. He loves it, but he calls himself a "certified laborer." He works around 80 hours a week and after 21 straight days working, he gets two days off. He's outspoken, confident and one of a kind. He told me he's afraid of the ocean, but he picked up a gator once by it's tail when he arrived in the south. It's hard to pick what comment he had that was funniest, but, he did tell me, "the women down here are thirsty, that's not what I'm looking for." Just before dropping him off he said, ""I don't have a lot of friends here, but my buddy from work and I get together sometimes to play cards, smoke cigars, and pretend to be old men, do you want to join us sometime?" Me: "I don't smoke cigars, but I got the old man thing down." I didn't tell him I really don't play much cards, but I'd pretend and have a great time.
THE MOLECULAR SCIENTIST: It was unfortunately a short ride, but when do you ever get to talk to a molecular scientist? (it is on her business card) She was visiting Charleston and has never had time to see the town and it wasn't going to happen this time either. I told her she had to come back as a tourist. She was heading to the hospital to train people. She has been in the field for 15 years, but the last two years has been the most challenging. She has worked on PCR Training(nasal swab) for COVID and has global responsibilities. One of her co-workers at one point had to be hospitalized for exhaustion and I thanked her for her efforts. It doesn't take long to be impressed with someone and you can tell she is very committed to her profession.
THE MAN WHO NEEDED HELP: My first rider early in the morning surprised me, because right away he was very open and willing to talk about a serious subject. After spending four years in the Coast Guard, he's had a difficult time dealing with some of the rescues he made and "alcohol has dulled the pain." I was taking him to The Veterans Administration where he was going to ask for help with his drinking, but also to check out his eye. He told me that last night, "I was snookered and walked into a wall." He knew he was doing the right thing to get help for his drinking and he was definitely doing it for his two young kids and wife. I told him that I can't relate to his drinking problems, but I reassured him how important it is for him to be able to be around for his family. I also reminded him of all the things he's overcome in his life and wished him the very best with this. I hope to see him again.
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