A Bengaluru cab driver’s unusual set of “six rules for passengers”, displayed on a signboard inside his vehicle, has gone viral on social media and triggered a debate on courtesy, class behaviour, and etiquette between drivers and riders.
The photo of the sign was shared by a Reddit user on the r/bangalore subreddit and quickly gained traction, garnering thousands of views and over 1,000 upvotes.
The rules that caught everyone’s attention
The signboard listed six instructions for passengers, including a firm request to avoid addressing the driver as bhaiya.
The full list reads:
- 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 us because you are not giving more money to us
- Don’t say bhaiya to us
Additionally, the driver noted that passengers should not ask the driver to speed up, a common complaint among cab operators.
Social media reacts
The post sparked a wide spectrum of responses — from humour to criticism to solidarity.
One user wondered whether the driver prefers other forms of address: “Is he okay with being called Anna or big bro? Or is it just Hon’ble chauffeur exclusively?”
Another Redditor questioned the tone of the note: “Point 5 is concerning — if we pay more, will they tolerate bad attitude? And point 3 contradicts the whole set of instructions.”
However, many defended the driver’s stance, citing the treatment of service workers in urban India.
“Have you guys seen how people treat lower-class staff? They don’t allow maids or delivery partners to use lifts. It’s not a big ask. If someone has disrespected you, why not put up rules to avoid it in future?” one user wrote.
Others agreed that passengers often slam car doors or behave rudely, leading drivers to adopt stricter guidelines.
A growing conversation around dignity of labour
Incidents involving ride-share etiquette have become frequent discussion points in cities like Bengaluru, where cab drivers often report long working hours, demanding customers and stress on the road.
The viral sign has reopened conversations about mutual respect, service expectations and the need for more empathetic behaviour between drivers and passengers.