The other Fourth of July I decided to work the evening shift doing Lyft.
Fireworks night usually means people heading downtown, families piling into rides, and everyone trying to beat the traffic before the sky lights up.
Right around sundown I pull up for a pickup.
A woman walks up to the car, looks it over, and immediately says:
“This is an XL? I ordered an XL.”
Now I’m driving a perfectly respectable little car, but it’s definitely not what anyone would call a parade float.
So I said, “Well ma’am, I’m actually listed as Extra Comfort, not XL. That might be the confusion.”
She looks at the car again like it personally offended her.
She was a large woman and clearly skeptical that my ride qualified as an XL.
“We need an XL.”
I said, “You’re welcome to cancel and order another ride if you’d like.”
She thought about it for a second.
Then she waved someone forward.
Out from behind her comes a skinny guy in a cowboy hat carrying a baby in a car seat, with another small kid tagging along behind him.
Next thing I know the whole crew is loading up.
Dad and the kids settle into the back seat.
Mom takes the passenger seat next to me.
Not a word comes from the back seat the entire ride.
But up front…
Well.
Let’s just say she had thoughts about the size of the vehicle.
“I don’t know how they call this an XL.”
“Look at this.”
“Look at my belly.”
Meanwhile I’m doing my best to focus on the road and not accidentally drive us into a fireworks stand.
Eventually we reach downtown and everyone piles out to go watch the show.
Dad thanks me politely.
The kids are excited about the fireworks.
Mom is still evaluating the vehicle situation.
Then the doors close.
And just like that, my Mini Car of Justice is empty again.
Which proves something I’ve learned driving Lyft on the Fourth of July:
No matter what size car you show up in…
Someone will always think they ordered one size bigger.
Well… see you next time.
— Steve
The Wayward Trucker
Roadside Thought
Freedom means choosing your own road.
No extra charge for the traffic.
Behind the Wheel
Lyft categories are suggestions.
Not to be confused with clothing sizes.
Have you ever had someone make you feel awkward?
Just hit reply and tell me about it.
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