Stuck in Mumbai traffic, Uber driver brings kebabs and soft drink for Australian passenger: 'So kind'

In the caption accompanying her video, she reflected on several such encounters she had experienced while travelling in the city.

An Australian woman, Bree Steele, went viral on social media after sharing her experience with a cab driver in Mumbai who bought her refreshments while they were stuck in traffic during the Chhath Puja festivities.

Steele, a podcaster and influencer who has been travelling across India since 2023, posted a video on Instagram titled “Uber drivers in India are next level icons.” In the clip, she described how what was supposed to be a short ride turned into a two-hour delay, yet the driver’s thoughtful gesture made the experience memorable.

"Uber drivers in India, or maybe just Mumbai, are icons! I was stuck in traffic for 2 hours because of Chhath Puja (the journey usually takes 15 minutes). My Uber driver was so kind!" she said in the video. "He stopped and bought us water, kebabs and a can of soft drink."

According to Steele, the driver declined to accept any payment for the food and ensured she was looked after until she reached her destination safely.

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A post shared by Bree Steele | Podcast producer & host (@breesteele.mp3)

In the caption accompanying her video, she reflected on several such encounters she had experienced while travelling in the city. "I've had so many Uber drivers in Mumbai look after me and help me, and it's so great!" she wrote. "I had one driver famously get me through flood waters to the airport on time. One driver stopped to retrieve my shoe which fell out of the auto. And now this!"

The video quickly drew attention online, amassing hundreds of comments from Indian users praising the driver’s act of kindness and the culture of hospitality he represented.

One user commented, “I'm afraid next Bollywood may be ‘Uber ne bana di jodi’.” Another wrote, “We Indians respect guests. You can see the same kind of hospitality across India.”

A third added, “Thanks to the Uber driver for keeping Indians’ pride up. And thank you for spreading positivity. In India, we say ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’, which means ‘Our guests are like god to us.’”

Another user noted, “Nice to commend when due, always nice to praise these guys who often get criticised and overlooked. These are our true ambassadors and make our journeys memorable.”