I must admit that until this past weekend I was unfamiliar with Uber (Lyft too).

We went to Ann Arbor to visit our grandson Jackson and to see the Michigan-Penn State game in The Big House and were advised not to rent a car on such a hectic weekend due to parking problems.

Joanne had the Uber app on her phone and was therefore in charge of hooking us up for the ride and the drivers.

My experience was mostly devoted to being along for the ride and chatting up the drivers.

Well let me tell you, it was quite an experience as each driver (all male) was quite an individual slice of 21st century middle America.

They each had a story and it poured out of them.  I learned that they earn 75% of the cost of the ride and that riders rarely tip.

Each in his own way was fiercely independent as they drove to earn a living.

One was an older man keeping himself busy.  Another was a young man hoping to become a teacher, but short of the tuition to earn the requisite degree.  Another was an “entrepreneur” who said we did not have enough time to discuss his ideas, but asked my opinion as to whether he should sell bottled water in the car.  Another was a retired Postal worker who lost his home in a bankruptcy after a near death experience who drove up from Grand Rapids to get in on the college weekend Uber ride opportunities, but didn’t know his way around and got lost.  Another had an ominous air about him and we couldn’t wait to get out of his car.

Many were talking on the phone in a different language as we got into the car.

Our last driver was a 28 year old Palestinian with a near perfect Uber rating who is studying to be an accountant. He complained to us in perfect English that Uber had a $50 bonus going for 28 rides in a certain time period and ours was the 27th and he just missed.  He told us he was engaged and that his future father in law had already complained that he had not shown respect.

He then showed his entrepreneurial wares by asking to take us to the airport off the books and we agreed.  When we got to the room Joanne realized she left her precious Michigan scarf in the car and because we had agreed to the morning ride I had his cell number and I texted him.  He quickly responded “Yes she did leave it.  We are meant to see each other again.”