The Realities of Delivering for the Rich: A Driver’s Experience

As an Uber driver, I’ve met all kinds of people from different walks of life, each trip coming with its own story. But one recent experience made me pause and reflect on how some people treat those who work for them and the often-thankless effort it takes just to make a simple delivery. This is a glimpse into one encounter that sheds light on the mistreatment of domestic workers and the reality of dealing with difficult clients.

The Request

It was a typical afternoon, and I was in Ilupeju when a ride request came in from Anthony with a destination in Magodo. The fare was good, so I accepted without a second thought. When I arrived, the client informed me it was actually a cake delivery, not a passenger trip. I hesitated since I’m usually cautious about deliveries. However, I’d already burned fuel, and the fare was promising, so I decided to go through with it.

The seller placed the cake in my car, and I asked who would be paying for the ride. She assured me that the person who made the request would handle payment, so I called to confirm. The requester answered and confirmed that she’d pay. That was, unfortunately, the last time I heard from her.

The Arrival and the Wait

I reached Magodo in less than 15 minutes and began trying to contact the requester, but she wouldn’t pick up. I tried every way to reach her—using both my phone lines, even WhatsApp. This went on for over 45 minutes. Frustrated, I informed the cake seller, who then tried to contact her as well, but with no success.

Eventually, a security guard came out, and I explained my dilemma. To my dismay, he informed me I might be at the wrong address, as he didn’t know anyone named Jennifer in the house. In fact, he said the only people living there were the homeowner, his wife, the guard himself, and a housekeeper. The homeowners had already left, as I saw a car driving out just after I arrived.

At that point, I counted my losses, put the cake in my boot, and resumed working on the app. I quickly got a request to Ikeja and went on my way.

The Return to Magodo

An hour later, the cake seller called, explaining that her phone had gone dead, which is why she couldn’t answer my calls. I listened to her story and informed her that I’d left Magodo. If she wanted me to return, it would cost an additional 7,000 Naira. Surprisingly, she agreed.

When I returned, the security guard seemed incredibly relieved, practically rolling on the floor with gratitude. He revealed that the woman’s sister, who apparently owned the cake and had requested it, had threatened to fire him if the delivery wasn’t completed. She had insulted him and made serious threats over what seemed like a simple miscommunication. The guard explained that he wasn’t even informed about the cake’s delivery and had once been similarly threatened over a prior delivery he hadn’t been told about.

The Encounter and Final Insult

As soon as I arrived, the sister appeared and immediately began hurling insults—at both me and the guard. She demanded the cake, while her sister attempted to calm her down and asked me for forgiveness. Her aggression continued, even threatening to damage my car if I didn’t hand over the cake right away. Standing my ground, I firmly told her that unless I received my full payment, the cake would remain in my car.

In the end, I got my payment and handed over the cake, but it was an encounter I won’t soon forget.

Conclusion

This experience highlighted, for me, the way some people of privilege treat those they believe are “beneath” them. The security guard, who was simply doing his job, faced constant threats for a miscommunication he had no part in. It’s a stark reminder that basic decency should be extended to everyone—regardless of status.