Notre Dame students share their most outrageous Uber rides

“Don’t chase the money, chase the happy,” said one South Bend Uber driver to Notre Dame student Sara Chesser and friends back in September.

The context of this inspiration, no one could remember. The value of its meaning: priceless.

Senior Sarah Chesser, Finance major, feeling enlightened after a heart-to-heart with her Uber driver

Uber drivers are more than just a means of getting somewhere. They have known to teach, inspire, and often uplift the spirits of passengers everywhere around the world.

…whether it be by providing sustenance for the journey.

Caitlin Bequette, Senior, Finance

“I got one Uber driver to take me to McDonalds.” Worth a 2.5x surge charge, amirite?

Meg Mannix, Senior, Political Science

Or whether it be through their own unique star power.

“In Paris, the guy had a microphone and a list of songs and did karaoke as he drove us.”

Rohan Andresen, Senior, IT Management and Political Science

With that being said, they have also been known to sometimes catch their passengers off guard.

“I had an Uber driver that didn’t speak English, so he brought a woman to sit in the front seat and translate for him. But then they got mad at us for having four people and having to all squeeze in the back.”

Skye Mooney, Senior, Accounting

Another South Bend Uber driver went for more of a guidance route with his passengers.

“My middle-aged dad Uber driver repeatedly told me to never worry about a boy you’re not actually dating, and called them ‘friend boys’ and gave other general love advice.”

Megan Ryan, Senior, Accounting

Love advice seems to be a popular topic of conversation among the South Bend Uber drivers. Student Megan Ryan has actually received love advice on multiple rides.

“There was a driver that told me to listen to my heart and trust in what I hear.”

I asked Megan what she thinks sparked this advice, and she told me that taking Ubers alone late at night “paints a female in a certain light” that tends to lead the driver to drawing his or her own conclusions.

She added: “But I didn’t feel judged. The driver seemed pretty wise actually, and I thought it was a thoughtful thing to say even if it was a little weird.”

Erica Tabor, Junior, Accounting

Notre Dame students truly are blessed to have the Uber drivers who are capable of helping to aid them in making the tough game time decisions.

“My friends and I were discussing which teletubbies we’d each be and he told me ‘you’re definitely a poe.’ ”

Jina Na, Senior, Political Science

Frequently, a mutually giving relationship between driver and passenger can develop.

“One night I was ordering a pizza on the way home, and the driver asked me to text her the Dominos number.”

Patrick Deasey, Senior, Accounting

On most occasions, students are just glad to have an Uber driver who is okay to go with the flow.

“It was pretty awesome when a guy in the car puked and the driver didn’t notice.”

Anneliese Rinaldi, Senior, Finance

“I was in a car that smelled like straight vomit.”

Although many things remain remembered, many students can relate to the times when one might just forget the experience altogether.

David Schneider, Senior, Pre-Med 

“I normally Uber at the end of the night when my memory is bad.”