A cab driver in Bengaluru has ignited a fervent online debate about mutual respect and safety after a passenger discovered a blunt, handwritten list of rules taped to the back of the front seat.
The note, comprising six direct instructions, was shared on Reddit under the title “Found this in my cab yesterday.” The image swiftly went viral, amassing thousands of views and sparking a significant conversation on social media about the often-fraught relationship between ride-hailing drivers and their customers.
The driver’s manifesto laid out a clear expectation of conduct. It began by establishing ownership: “You are not the owner of the cab,” with the second point clarifying, “The person driving the cab is the owner of the cab.” The subsequent rules demanded civil interaction, instructing passengers to “Speak politely and take respect” and to “Close the door slowly.”
The list took a more pointed turn with the fifth rule: “Put your Attitude in your pocket. Please don’t show it to us because you are not giving us more money.” It concluded with specific linguistic and behavioural requests: “Don't call me bhaiya,” and an additional, separate instruction not to tell the driver to “drive fast.”
The post on Reddit triggered a wave of mixed reactions. While some users found the tone overly aggressive, many others defended the driver’s stance. One user questioned the phrasing, asking, “Point 5 is concerning: If we pay more, they'll tolerate bad attitude?”
However, a significant number of commentators framed the note as a justified response to persistent poor treatment. “Have you guys seen how people treat lower-class people?” one user wrote, according to the Reddit thread. “They don't allow maids & delivery partners to use lifts, so I don't think it's a big ask. If someone has disrespected you, why not avoid it in the future by mentioning your rules?”
The directive to close doors gently was also met with understanding, with users noting that drivers frequently bear the cost of repairs from careless passengers. The term “bhaiya,” a Hindi word for ‘brother’ sometimes used condescendingly towards service staff, was highlighted as a particular point of friction.
This public discussion of driver-passenger etiquette comes alongside growing commuter anxiety over road safety. In a separate, recently viral post on the same Bengaluru subreddit titled "New Threat in Bangalore," a commuter detailed feeling “unsafe” during a ride, alleging that cab and auto-rickshaw drivers are increasingly scrolling through Instagram reels and watching YouTube videos while driving.
The user reported that when confronted, drivers often claim they are using their phones for navigation. This complaint underscores a parallel concern that exists alongside the drivers’ own demands for basic respect, painting a complex picture of the challenges within the city’s ride-hailing ecosystem.
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