Australian Woman Stuck in Mumbai Traffic Lauds Uber Driver Who Bought Her Water and Kebabs: “Next-Level Icons”
Australian Woman Stuck in Mumbai Traffic Lauds Uber Driver Who Bought Her Water and Kebabs: “Next-Level Icons”
An Uber driver in Mumbai has won hearts online after an Australian passenger shared her touching experience of his kindness during a long traffic jam in the city.
Bree Steele, an Australian podcaster and content creator who has been living in Mumbai since 2023, took to Instagram to recount how a short 15-minute trip turned into nearly two hours due to heavy traffic during Chhath Puja. Despite the delay, her driver’s thoughtful actions made the ordeal memorable.
According to Steele, when the car was stuck for nearly half an hour, the driver stepped out and returned with bottled water for her. When she tried to pay, he refused, saying, “You are our guest.” Later, as the jam continued, he went out again—this time returning with kebabs and canned drinks so she wouldn’t stay hungry.
Calling it a “next-level” gesture, Steele praised the driver’s warmth and said such experiences capture the spirit of Mumbai’s people. She shared her story in a video captioned “Uber drivers in India are next-level icons”, where she also spoke about other kind acts she has witnessed from local drivers — including one who helped her wade through floodwaters to reach the airport and another who retrieved her lost shoe.
She also humorously admitted being unprepared for the chaotic traffic during Chhath Puja, adding, “Why do all my best stories in India involve an Uber driver?”
The video quickly went viral, drawing hundreds of comments appreciating the driver’s gesture. “Luck favours the kind-hearted,” wrote one user, while another commented, “It’s wonderful to see kindness being celebrated — these drivers are the real ambassadors of India.”
Many users said the incident perfectly reflected India’s culture of hospitality. “In India, we say Atithi Devo Bhavah — our guests are like gods. Thank you to the Uber driver for keeping our pride alive,” wrote another user.
