Embracing the Inner-UBER

Whenever I fall into conversation with a passenger regarding how this new industry is affecting previously existing (taxi-cab) infrastructure, I like to remark that the slow death-rattle of an older-trend is simply the result of basic, old-fashioned, American capitalism.  Someone came up with a much better idea, and while it's unfortunate that people are losing work ... in the end, the idea itself is infinitely more important than the people it leaves behind in the proverbial dust.

It's worth mentioning that many of these drivers are simply shifting into the on-demand world, not just to make better money and better lives for their families, but also because it's a product of the rampant popularity that quite naturally has come with the territory.  So while I'm not yet at a point where I feel sorry for these current and former taxi-drivers, I have noticed that these people just have the worst occupational reputation.  I don't possess the sociological insight (or the desire to stir up controversy) to comment as to why exactly taxi-drivers seem to be viewed as the dregs of the earth. But what I find remarkable is that a similar stigma has not been placed on myself or other drivers of my ilk, who were not previously associated with the cab industry.

Perhaps this endeavor is still trendy enough that we're considered cool before we're considered poor, lazy, or simply lacking in ambition?  Perhaps what we're doing is  ... dare I say ... somehow sexy?

To me this is an odd concept when I think about how much of society views traditional taxi-driving as a distasteful, lower-class method of making a living.  But somehow we've distinguished ourselves as a new genre of socially-acceptable, occupationally-respectable workers.

As I've started to slowly reimmerse myself into the world of dating, I've been terrified that every interesting, attractive woman I meet will quickly call for the check just as soon as they find out what I do to pay the bills.  However, to my great surprise, there seems to be something intriguing about this new occupation and it actually has the exact opposite effect when it comes to how people react.  Now I won't go so far as to say that my driving has excited a romantic interest to the point of me getting lucky, but I guess my point is that it hasn't driven anyone away either.

It extends beyond dating as well.  Coming out of my old relationship, I've not only had to seek out new friends and other forms of companionship, but I've also had to find a new place to live.  One of the first thoughts that crossed my mind when I started to consider this challenge, was "oh shit ... who the hell is going to trust a cab-driver to pay the rent on time?"  And yet again ... I've been blown away by how accepting people have been to the idea of welcoming someone into their home despite what I thought would surely be viewed as an unreliable and unsteady form of employment.  It's also been incredibly remarkable to see how many of my potential roommates are also driving on-demand for a living ... really it's staggering how many of us are out there nowadays.

I would love to credit these phenomena to the simple fact that women and society at large are growing more and more open-minded (we're definitely making huge strides), but I actually think there's something more, something truly UBER at work here.  My theory is that this idea has been so ground-breaking and pervasive that it's already taken it's place as a vital component of modern, socio-cultural dynamics.  

Throughout this entire experience I've always worried that I'm trapping myself in a situation in which I'm not living up to my potential or fulfilling the societal expectations placed on a person of my background/education/upbringing/age.  But I've slowly come to a point where all of that anxiety is really just becoming noise that I can filter out if I want to.  I'm starting to embrace the scenario as part of who I am right now, and thanks to a more accepting and supportive world, I don't really feel any sense of shame or disappointment that I might not be doing what I'm supposed to do or contributing as much as I can to humanity.  The truth is, no matter who you are or where you come from ...

There's nothing wrong with being UBER.

I can't anticipate everything that's going to happen to me in the future, but I know that I don't see myself doing this forever.  As exciting as this business can be, it's also hard work that can be financially straining, physically and emotionally draining, and oftentimes immensely lonely. There's really no two ways about it: on-demand driving is a grind, and it can take quite a bit out of you.  But for what it's worth, I like to think that the experience has taken out far less than it has added to the richness and depth of my character.  My life is completely upside down right now, but I know that I'm a far better person today than I was when I started driving 6 months ago.  I don't have much of anything these days ... but I do have this really cool, extremely UBER part of myself that I'm fortunate enough to share with all of you.

And if I can be so bold as to offer advice ... no matter what you do with your life, if you want to be the best version of yourself ... always, and I mean always ... embrace your inner-UBER!

UBER ON!!!