It’s a Small World (even in Philly)

Of course, it would just be a matter of time driving for Lyft in Philly that I would come across people with whom I share some sort of connection. This has happened a few times already.

• My nephew’s ex-boss – I picked up a gentleman in Northern Liberties and was taking him to Zahav restaurant in Old City. The conversation turned to real estate and I handed him my business card (budding real estate investor). When he saw my (unique) last name, he asked me whether I was related to someone else with the same last name. I said, yes, he’s my nephew! He then told me that my nephew worked for him a number of years ago at a kiosk at Neshaminy Mall. Wow!
• Same nephew’s classmates – A few weeks after I met my nephew’s ex-boss, I was taking two young guys from South Philly to Spring Garden St. Along the way we had a lively discussion and I asked the guys where they were from. One said he was from Feasterville. I replied that I had some family who lived up there for a while, but no longer. When I told him the street, he asked what my last name was. Turns out he went to school with my nephew and was in wrestling class together.
• Childhood home – So, one late night I had just dropped someone off near the Zoo and then had a ride request 1/2 mile away. When I clicked “Arrived” in the Lyft Driver app, I then checked the destination as this guy walked down the long stairs from his house to my car. I couldn’t believe the destination! It was the house I grew up in in Fishtown! As the guy got into my car, I confirmed with him “this is really the destination we’re going to??” He said, “yes, why?” When I told him that I grew up in that house, he said “no way!!” Yes, it’s a small world. Turns out, he didn’t live there, but was visiting his girlfriend who was renting out the house. Along the way, I told him a little bit about growing up in Fishtown and in that house. Afterwards, when I told that story to a few friends, they said that I should have asked to go in to look at the house. I didn’t because I had seen pictures online years ago of the interior when the house was listed for sale. Also, it could have been a bit creepy to ask to go in as they were not the owners and I very well could have made the whole story up. Still, I pass the house from time to time on my many Lyft rides around the city and recall all the great (and, not so great) memories.
• Neighbor in my condo building – A few months ago, I picked up a young woman off South St. who was going to Fishtown. As soon as I picked her up, she said she had seen my car around Old City. When I told her the street I lived on, she said she lived on the same street. Turns out, she lives in my building! I had never met her before. But, when she told me her name, I said “oh, you’re the one that gets all the packages delivered!”. She laughed and said that the packages are still coming in from a wedding registry account. Turns out, she also works for Lyft – not as a driver, but as an employee. She takes Lyft often, but never tells any of the drivers that she works for the company, since she doesn’t want to be bombarded with Lyft driver complaints. haha. But, she revealed it to me. We’re neighbors, after all. But, I did tell her about my first and only experience with Lyft Customer Service after a minor incident regarding a passenger and a cyclist (more on that in a future post!). The feedback was useful insight for her to some of the issues Lyft Customer Service has been experiencing. Hopefully, it helps!

So, it IS a small world after all! And, driving for Lyft has allowed me to make some interesting connections. Who will I meet next?!