Note - Most of the conversation is translated from Hindi. Also, the name has been changed for privacy purposes. Curiously though, he didn't mind his picture being taken.
The first Uber story I have hit me randomly.
I was on my way to a mates place and got stuck in a massive jam. I usually use this as an opportunity to start chatting with them because nothing gets someone from Delhi going than bitching about the traffic.
Sure enough, as soon as I used the words "fuck this traffic," and "fuck that guy" (a bike just cut ahead of us almost crashing into the driver's door), Somnath opened right up.
He told me that he was from Calcutta, and how moving to Delhi was a change because of the people.
"Most folks here are easy to gauge, but I couldn't really tell much about you." he said to me.
When I asked him why, he was emphatic in his response.
"Because you live in Nehru Place, but you're not an asshole. Most people who live in these areas are flashy and in your face - like most Delhiites."
We chatted a bit more and I told him I was originally from the south. He smiled and nodded.
"That makes sense. Delhi guys are flashy, but you're just wearing a t-shirt and jeans. If you were from Delhi, you would be different."
I tell him how I grew up here, and I still identify with Delhi a lot more than my South Indian roots.
Changing the subject I asked him about his worst ride. He told me about this time he was stuck with one overly demanding customer for almost 3 hours literally driving from one end of the city to the other.
He then went on another rant about how much he hates Delhiites.
"She was a fat bitch who just wouldn't shut up."
As I got off at my stop, I heard him pick up the phone and talk to his friend, amused at the fact that he had someone in the cab with whom he could bitch about the city he now lives in.