Don’t call us bhaiya, and 5 other rules: Cab driver’s guidelines go viral, spark online debate

A Reddit post has recently gone viral, featuring a photo of behavioural guidelines shared by a cab driver. The post, which quickly caught the attention of internet users, shows the guidelines attached to one of the seats in the car. The user who posted the photo commented, “I have booked a cab, and the cab driver has mentioned some guidelines on the cab! What do you think about these guidelines?”

The Guidelines

The instructions provided by the driver were clear and direct. The message read: "You are not the owner of the cab. The person driving the cab is the owner of the cab. Speak politely and show respect. Close the door slowly. Put your attitude in your pocket, please don’t show it to us because you are not giving us extra money. Don’t call us 'bhaiya.' Note: Don’t ask us to drive fast, be on time."

Reactions

The post sparked a debate, with various users sharing their opinions. One commenter said, “As long as it’s about mutual respect, it’s perfectly fine. Basic manners like closing the door softly and not distracting the driver are important.” Another user added, “If the driver himself is respectful, I don’t see an issue with the guidelines.”

Regarding the “bhaiya” part of the guidelines, one user explained, “I get that it might sound strange, but I don’t see anything wrong with calling drivers what’s commonly used in the local language. It’s just a cultural term. Down south, I used 'Anna,' and in Maharashtra, it’s 'dada' or 'bhau.' It’s just a sign of respect that goes a long way.”

Criticism

Not all users were supportive, however. One commenter said, “I’ve never really understood the whole ‘bhaiya’ thing. I know what it means in Hindi, but its literal English translation sounds odd.” Another user joked, “I mean, how much money do you have to give to justify showing an attitude?”