Not everyone sees what e-hailing drivers go through, long hours, low pay, and the pressure to survive rising living costs.
But one Malaysian woman’s encounter with a driver recently shed light on just how hard things can get behind the wheel.
According to her Threads post, she once tipped an e-hailing driver RM50 for a RM20 ride. What she didn’t expect was for the man to break down in tears.
The woman said she was on her way to a church in Kuala Lumpur when she decided to give the driver a bigger tip than usual.
He cried. He said ‘God bless you’ even though he is Muslim.”
He works 2 jobs but still can’t keep up
During the ride, the driver began sharing the struggles he had been carrying alone.
The woman said the driver revealed he works as an admin staff by day and earns RM1,800 monthly, an amount he said isn’t enough to cover rent and living expenses. After work, he drives e-hailing at night to make ends meet.
“He works day and night. He said he’s exhausted with life. He doesn’t know what else to hope for in the future.”
The woman said the meeting reminded her to be grateful for life’s basics — food on the table, a roof overhead, and stability that many riders don’t have.
After that incident, I told myself I will tip every rider I meet.”
‘If you can afford to tip, please do’
Her story quickly gained traction online, with many Malaysians praising her kindness and sharing their own experiences.
Former drivers chimed in, explaining how rides sometimes pay very little after platform cuts, fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Others prayed that the woman would receive blessings in return for her compassion towards someone in need.
