A Reddit post by a user named Your_Friendly_Panda has gone viral, featuring a set of humorous yet insightful guidelines from a cab driver that resonated with many users. The guidelines, shared as a photo in the CarsIndia subreddit, include:
1. You are not the owner of the cab.
2. The person driving the cab is the owner.
3. Speak politely and take respect.
4. Close the door slowly.
5. Put your attitude in your pocket; please don’t show it to us because you are not giving more money to us.
6. Don’t say bhaiya to us.
7. Note: Don’t say to drive fast. Be on time.
Along with the photo, the Reddit user commented, “I have booked a cab and the cab driver mentioned some guidelines on the cab! What do you think about these guidelines?”
The post sparked an engaging debate, especially about the instruction against addressing drivers as “bhaiya,” a Hindi term that conveys camaraderie or respect towards an older male.
In response, users shared various opinions. One user remarked, “Most points are fair, but what’s with – don’t call us bhaiya?” indicating confusion about the driver’s request since “bhaiya” is commonly seen as respectful.
Another user noted, “As long as the driver himself is respectful, I don’t see anything wrong with the guidelines. As for the ‘bhaiya’ part, I understand it comes off as weird, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong in calling them with whatever works in their regional language.” They also mentioned regional alternatives like “Anna” in the South and “dada/bhau” in Maharashtra, which similarly denote respect.
A humorous comment pointed out the oddity of the phrase “put your attitude in your pocket,” questioning its literal translation. “I’ve never understood what it is supposed to mean. I know what it means in Hindi, and maybe it was started by movies, but its literal English translation is so messed up, lol,” they wrote.
The conversation also turned serious, with some users stressing the importance of mutual respect between drivers and passengers. One user commented, “He’s right, and there’s nothing wrong with his guidelines. Our country has this habit of looking down on cab drivers, delivery people, and others in similar professions. In fact, this has to be common sense.”
Another added, “In a country where drivers are not respected, they unfortunately have to demand it. Good move.” This highlights the broader issue of how service workers are treated in India.
The post not only raised serious social concerns but also sparked humor among users. One user joked, “Bhaiya nai toh kya baby bolein?” reflecting the light-hearted nature of the discussion.
Many participants agreed with the guidelines, particularly the emphasis on politeness and respect. However, there remained curiosity and confusion regarding the “bhaiya” ban, with some stating, “100% agreed with his guidelines, but I’m confused with the ‘bhaiya’ one; a lot of cab drivers are just a few years older than me, and I feel bhaiya is a good way to address them.”
