People will confess things to you when anonymity plays a central role.





They'll tell you about their sex lives, how good or bad it is, or once was.

The longest ride I had lasted almost an hour. I had two guys from the South Bay telling me about how the Dodgers won and would be winning the World Series. Both were drunk beyond recognition, putting an emphasis on Ub3r's benefit.

After watching one of them scissor walk his way across his front lawn and onto his porch, we drove off to Long Beach.

Although Ub3r discourages this, I decided not to charge the riders a split fare/multiple destination fee. The guy going to Long Beach told me about his childhood dream of being in the military and then being in law enforcement, both cut short by a horrific accident that ended in him losing a couple inches in height.

He offered me employment at his workplace, but never mentioned the name of the company. 

$23.25.

And a pack of menthol Skoal. By the time I realized he had left it, I was already on my way back up the 405. 

I had a group of three guys mention how most men are gay on the DL (down-low). Most gay men don't care whether another man identifies as gay. All that matters is that the sex is good and the sex is constant. Sexual identity is so diverse and complicated that I didn't say much to them. The only thing more impacting than their confession was the distinct smell of marijuana emanating from all three. 



Anonymity plays a big part in a rider's confession and I believe it's because they are in the back seat and our faces never truly meet. They feel as if the conversation is as personal as a random phone call, except this dial tone ends once the wheels stop turning.

I've had girls tell me about their sex lives, in and outside of bars. Yes, IN and OUTSIDE of bars. One of them told me she arrived at a bar after the 2AM cut off and ordered something a bit more relaxing. The bartender was her friend, whose pelvic thrust couldn't last longer than 2 minutes, but "he was cute and strong so it didn't really matter."

She described her experience in such detail it began to make me feel uncomfortable.

I ended up dropping her off at a mansion at the peak of the Hollywood hills.

Sometimes I wonder if they tell me these things to gauge my reaction or if they truly trust me. Other times I feel they just tell me because they can't tell anyone else these things and speaking to someone who will never see you again is cathartic. 

That's probably why they usually keep talking even after we have arrived at their destination. The best listeners are those who never seem like they are urging to interrupt you, but rather truly taking in everything you have to say.

I've had girls cry in the car, blow their nose so hard I though their lung popped out, and guys carry on about how much they hate this city and wish they never moved here.

Don't get me wrong, everyone is cool and down to earth, but when the only light in the car is the dashboard and the only sound apart from your voice is SiriusXM, the conversation can go places you never dreamed of.

- Crenshaw