Thread by @NeelBParekh

How A Random Uber Ride Completely Changed My Perspective -

I met an Uber driver in Mexico City.

He started Ubering because his family's restaurant wasn't doing well.

On a whim, I decided to visit the restaurant.

What followed after blew me away....

Full story + pics below 🧵

I landed in Mexico City at night and ordered a ride. I got picked up by a cheerful guy, looked about my age.

I've talked to hundreds of drivers before (yes, I'm THAT guy)...I just like learning about people.

So in my broken Spanish, I started asking this driver about his life.

David had grown up living above a restaurant. He was my age (32) and had a wife and newborn.

The family restaurant where he grew up wasn't doing well because of COVID, so he picked up work as a Uber driver. He swore they had the best food ever.

I starred the place on my Maps.

Honestly - I had no intention of visiting the restaurant.

It was a bit far from where I was staying (aka inconvenient)

Plus, one thing I love about Mexico is that you get fancy 5-star cuisine for pretty damn cheap, compared to the U.S.

I was dining like a king during my stay.

So, I had David's restaurant starred on my Google Maps, but totally forgot about it.

It was around lunchtime one day and I saw it pop up on my map app close by.

So I thought "what the heck, why not?"

Not the nicest looking spot, but I have a hard stomach so thought I'd try.

I walked into the restaurant...it was clearly a locals-only spot.

The woman cooking the food was curious why a "gringo" was eating at their restaurant.

I told her I met an Uber driver named David. Turns out he was her son.

She got really excited and called him immediately.

The Uber driver showed up shortly after. With his wife and newborn in tow.

They wanted to talk more, welcome me to their restaurant...and take photos together.

I just wanted a meal...this was way more than I signed for.

But, a photoshoot commenced.

The mom then tapped my shoulder and asked if I wanted to learn how to cook their local dish called "Huarache".

Hell to the yes I did.

We went to her large pan grill. I rolled dough with her, learned how to knead in the beans, and sprinkled some cheese on top.

Perfection 🤤

It doesn't end there....

It was Dia De Los Muertos, so they handed me a bowl of their homemade sweet potato dessert for the occasion.

The mom even packed me some to-go food.

David then showed me the room above the restaurant where they grew up...

It was 15 x 15 max and the family all lived there together in 1 room. David had 4 siblings...I have no idea how they could have fit.

David wasn't showing me this bc he wanted me to see his living conditions.

He just wanted to show his new friend the place he grew up.

I paid for the original lunch.

Then I offered to pay more for the food I made with the mom, the homemade dessert, and food they gave me to take home.

They refused my money.

I kept pushing for them to take the money....but they still refused.

So, to clarify, a family that is undoubtedly poorer than you, me, and just about everyone else we know....

Welcomed me into their home, fed me food, taught me to cook, and wanted nothing in exchange.

They even offered to drive me home (which I refused).

I was floored.

As I walked out of the restaurant, belly and hands full, I started to feel incredibly selfish that I had mostly eaten at fancy, corporate-run places for all those weeks.

Here there were good people who could have benefitted a lot more from my business than a high-end diner.

The dollar goes so far for small businesses, whether in the U.S. or not.

And you can end up with some beautiful, authentic experiences like the above.

It made me realize that we as tourists have such an incredible opportunity to help the lives of locals when we travel simply by visiting small mom-and-pop shops and supporting them.

More importantly, it reminded me of human good and how stranger interactions can be so impactful.

I also realized how we can use our knowledge of our OWN country to help locals attract more tourists to their businesses.... 👇

Local businesses abroad don't know a thing about how to market to tourists.

Most don't even have websites.

When traveling, I now always try to do this:

✅ Leave 5-Star Google Reviews
✅ Take some pics to post on their GMB listing
✅ If Yelp exists, post there too

I was in Mexico City for a conference. After I left, I sent a group chat to 30+ entrepreneur friends who were in town.

I told them the story and asked them to support David's restaurant.

I like to think the mom got very busy making money and teaching gringos how to cook 😄

Enjoyed the story? Re-tweet or throw me a follow @NeelBParekh

I've been traveling for 5+ years while building my remote local business.

I post about travel stories, SMB content, and my journey growing MaidThis Franchise (maidthisfranchise.com)

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