Cab Drivers are Natural Psychiatrists

Js Cabdriver yesterday was talkertive and in many ways an interesting 30 year old Man. He told her stories about his native country, Uganda and his dreams of one
day returning with his family to live in a house he plans to build with the U.S dollars he earns. J herself was talkertive which made the conversation flow more easily
She told him her version of life as an American and all the good things. In the course of the 20 minute drive from Columbia to BWI trainstation, They had discussed at least four different topics,
mostly exchanging ideas about the World as they saw it in the eyes of their different backgrounds.J was more passionate when discussing her lovelife and family.
She felt comfortable enough to tell him about the darkest parts of her up bringing. Just before arriving at her destination, she changed her mind. She now wanted the Cabbie
to drive her all the way to New Jersey.A Two and a half hour journey.She was willing to pay him 300 dollars for the ride,which was very unusuall to the Cabdriver.
The long out of state Taxi ride from Columbia Maryland is mostly taken by gamblers heading to Atlantic City New Jersey, and even with them it is still rare.
For J this drive was a therapy. In the presence of a total stranger she was now ready to reveal the hidden pains and despair that had kept her chest heavy.
A Cab drivers sense of social concern comes from having a job that requires you to be so exposed. They talk to more people on average than most people; they see more
of what's happening around. The chance to chat with so many strangers on a daily basis in a way makes them good Psychiatrist. Only they dont give pharmacy prescriptions.
People freely talk to cab drivers because they are likable, st least most are.I cant think of any other profession with uniformly likable people. Cabbies are rich enough
and informed enough to talk about Hightech, economy, Movies, Brittany Spears, Kofi Annan or even Barrack Obama.They are poor enough and simple enough to feel
someone elses pain, to share stories of life trials, to ponder with about mysteries of life.
J got into the cab feeling depressed, she was sipping on wine she had poured in her mystic juice bottle, at 1 pm in the afternoon.She talked in lengths about
her boyfriend who had left her just hours earlier and was now in the presence of another female. She wondered out aloud why she could never find a man who was
all about her.She talked of not being able to sleep at night and experiencing frequent nightmares.She started crying when talking about her family.Her parents came from
Eastern Europe almost 70 years ago.Her abusive father was alcoholic and all her siblings were strung out drug addicts. At 42 years old,she stilled looked very beautiful
but she was all alone.Her 19 year old son
didn't want nothing to do with her and she was no longer in touch with her parents or siblings. Life for her had turned into tears and alcohol.somehow the Cabbie found ways to
comfort her at least for the time being.He also talked about his own difficulties with life, the trials of growing up is a third world country with no money.
The sorrow he had witnessed, the loved ones he lost to Aids and how all that had influence who he was today.
J paid the 300 dollar cab fare for the ride to New Jersey but she had no regrets.Her chest felt lighter and her heart was relaxed again even if it was just for the
moment.In todays individualistic society, when she needed someone to talk to, the Cabbie was there.

Oduor Abong is the head of Taxi services in Columbia Maryland.