Kumar, who recently relocated from Bengaluru to Mumbai, shared an experience on LinkedIn that resonated with many people online. What caught attention was not a dramatic event, but a simple act of kindness that left a lasting impression.
In his post, Kumar humorously remarked that finding an auto rickshaw in Bengaluru can sometimes feel more challenging than clearing a job interview. For many residents, the process is familiar: spotting an available auto is only the beginning. Questions about destination acceptance, payment methods, meter usage, and fare negotiations often follow.
Mumbai, however, offered him a different experience.
The incident occurred while Kumar was staying at a hotel located some distance from the main road. Reaching the road required walking up a steep incline, making the journey somewhat inconvenient.
One day, after noticing an auto rickshaw that had just dropped off a passenger nearby, Kumar approached the driver and requested a ride to Lokhandwala.
The driver politely declined.
Rather than dismissing him abruptly, the driver explained that he had another commitment and would not be able to complete the trip without being delayed.
Ordinarily, that might have marked the end of the interaction. Instead, the driver surprised Kumar by offering to drop him at the main road, where it would be easier to find another auto.
Having experienced the challenges of securing rides in other cities, Kumar initially assumed there would eventually be a discussion about payment. But no such conversation occurred.
The driver dropped him at the main road free of charge and then went a step further. He reportedly flagged down another auto rickshaw, informed the driver that Kumar was new to the city, and requested that he be taken to Lokhandwala.
The second ride was equally straightforward.
There was no bargaining, no disagreement over the route, and no unnecessary complications. The driver simply turned on the meter and began the journey.
To Kumar's surprise, the final fare was lower than the amount quoted by ride-hailing apps.
Yet, the affordability was not what stayed with him.
What made the greatest impression was the willingness of a complete stranger to spend extra time helping someone he had never met.
Reflecting on the experience, Kumar drew parallels with his own profession in recruitment. He noted that people often remember small gestures — a recruiter who keeps candidates informed, a hiring manager who respects interview schedules, or anyone who makes a stressful process a little easier.
Such actions may appear minor in the moment, but they often leave a lasting impact.
His story soon sparked discussion online, with users sharing and comparing their experiences in Mumbai and Bengaluru. While some agreed wholeheartedly with his observations, others pointed out that every city has its own strengths and challenges.
Kumar himself avoided declaring one city better than the other. He acknowledged that Bengaluru offers the pleasant weather many people dream of, while Mumbai's humidity can be difficult to endure.
Nevertheless, he admitted that his early experiences in Mumbai had left him pleasantly surprised by the helpfulness of its residents.
And if his story is any indication, some of Mumbai's most memorable ambassadors may be the auto rickshaw drivers who quietly go out of their way to help strangers.
