During a time where bad and/or deeply saddening news dominate our social media feeds, heartfelt stories that bring glimmers of hope are rare gems. So, in the event of such good news, best believe that we’re here to share these with you. Case in point: these stories from Grab drivers and riders, as shared by Cathy Sanchez Babao via Facebook.
This afternoon I had the opportunity to address 700 plus Grab drivers and riders at a mental health forum organized by…
Posted by Cathy Sanchez Babao on Friday, September 18, 2020
Cathy works as a grief coach certified in the Grief Recovery Method, as well as a mental health advocate. In one of her recent webinars, she had the opportunity to address over 700 Grab drivers and riders. Of course, this included knowing about how they’re currently doing, given these especially hectic times.
But the part that stood out most for her was the one towards the end. There, she asked them about the nicest thing a passenger or client has done for them during this pandemic. Clearly, there were the more obvious ones like customers given extraordinarily huge tips. But for Cathy, it was these three answers from Grab drivers and riders that left quite an impact:
- A client ordering extra food for the driver so he could bring it home to his family.
- A passenger giving him advice to strengthen his spirit amidst these trying times.
- All the seemingly small but actually meaningful parting words from passengers and clients, such as “take care” and “may God bless you.”
Also read: Beyond Donating: How To Help COVID-19 Unsung Heroes From Home
What we can learn from these stories from Grab drivers and riders
It’s already a given that Grab drivers and riders ought to be considered frontliners and modern-day heroes. But it’s also best to remember that at the end of the day, they’re also human beings who get tired and can always use a kind word (or two) from passengers and clients.
Cathy ended her post with a quick reflection on what these heartwarming real-life stories tell us. “It takes so little to bring joy, kindness, and light into someone’s day. Most of the time, it’s free. A kind word or deed really goes a long way — pandemic or not,” she said. And we definitely couldn’t agree more!
So, the next time you have an interaction (no matter how brief) with a Grab driver or rider, always choose to be kind. Come on, how hard would it be to give a warm smile and greeting? Or an extra thank you before they go? But hey, if this feels like too much work, the least we can do is to not be rude and not throw insensitive pranks at them. Remember the rule of thumb: How would you want to be treated if you were in their shoes?
Oh, and of course: always put on a face mask before meeting with them!
Also read: Stories from the Frontline: What Bus Drivers Wish People Knew and How You Can Support Them
Do you have any heartfelt stories with delivery men and ride-hailing app drivers that you’d like to share? Let us know about it in the comments!
