Growing up, we were always told “don’t trust strangers”… don’t talk to them, don’t rely on them, don’t let them get too close. And somehow, that made perfect sense back then.
But now? Our lives are literally powered by strangers. We trust someone from DoorDash to handle our food, someone from Uber to get us safely where we need to go, and store shoppers to pick out the groceries we’re going to feed ourselves and our families. No second thought, no hesitation… just a quiet kind of trust we’ve learned to live with.
It’s kind of wild when you really sit with it. The same thing we were warned about is now part of our everyday routine. Maybe it says something about how the world has changed… or maybe it says something about how we’ve learned that not every stranger is meant to be feared. BUT also proving we were right with all the horror stories with these services . what do you think?
It was always bad advice. Most crime is committed by someone you know.
6
Kind_Home_1038Apr 3, 2026
+3
Very true also
3
tgilland65Apr 3, 2026
+7
Don’t talk to strangers was always directed at children. Adults have always relied on strangers. Before Uber there were taxi and bus drivers. Before shoppers there were grocers. Before DoorDash there were cooks and wait staff.
7
Dependent-Echo1811Apr 3, 2026
+5
I don't use these services. Not because I don't trust people, I'm just c**** as hell.
Also I don't like small talk in person.
5
Kind_Home_1038Apr 3, 2026
+1
True they are really expensive, but when you're really sick or injured they are great to use
1
jibbycanoeApr 3, 2026
+1
I don't use them because I'm c****. I don't use them because they're exploitative as hell and most of the $$ goes to get another souless tech company
1
jackofspades49Apr 3, 2026
+3
Theres a difference when youre 8 and when youre 18. Also using somrone for a service isn't really the same as trusting them. You trust them to do the job well enlugh not to gife themselves consequences. But not like... as a general rule.
3
SqueeTrashPandaApr 3, 2026
+3
I trusted those Instacart people to get my groceries one time and they brought me a bunch of moldy produce. Never again.
3
pinkcosmicdropApr 3, 2026
+2
kinda trust with training wheels now
2
Living_Natural1829Apr 3, 2026
+2
Big difference between what you tell kids and what you do yourself.
I tell the kids to not open the door for anyone when they are home alone. Obviously I’ll answer the door.
2
brittttxApr 3, 2026
+2
Yep. I use all of those services and you're so right lol. Great observation 🤔
2
Wise-Matter9248Apr 3, 2026
+2
I mean, to be fair...you are, theoretically, heavier and harder to pick up and steal now.
A lot of the "don't trust strangers" when we were kids was to prevent small children with questionable safety awareness and logic from being lured away and kidnapped.
Ironically, though, most child abuse is carried out by people children know and trust.
2
barbershoresApr 3, 2026
+1
I don't uber. And I don't have food delivered.
But, up to 3 times per day UPS stops by. The mail man once per day.
Pool guy once per week.
Landscapers between once per week and once per month depending on season.
1
Alarming-Hope-2541Apr 3, 2026
+1
I think about this all the time. My kids user Uber often. Living in a big city. And food delivery service is as common as brushing your teeth. So crazy how stranger danger is no longer a thing.
1
Snoo_31427Apr 3, 2026
+2
It is crazy that it ever was a thing.
2
BlueOceanGalApr 3, 2026
+1
I think your overall, general observation is brilliant! Frankly, I'm surprised I didn't think of it because I think about this kind of thing all the time. Lol
But I will say for the specific that I too have relied on the kindness of strangers. I'm not connected to a lot of people where I live for a lot of reasons so I have to rely on strangers for some things. I've actually asked people I'm acquaintances with and been told no and was told yes by a stranger. My example is a ride to a medical facility where I could not drive myself.
1
UltraChipApr 3, 2026
+1
Service workers have been around for a looooot longer than DoorDash.
1
TracyVegasApr 3, 2026
+1
I don’t do any of those things. I don’t want cold food delivered for a premium. I took an Uber twice and the second time she drove me to the airport when I was trying to go home then she crashed making a left instead of a right and I injured my arm really bad even though I was wearing a seatbelt and I was in the backseat. I don’t have my groceries delivered because I’ve heard they choose the oldest fruit and substitute weird things.
I couldn’t imagine being so fearful that I would isolate myself and rely on everyone to do everything for me. Freedom is exhilarating!
1
pingwingApr 3, 2026
+1
All I am hearing is you don't do anything for yourself.
1
Madi473Apr 3, 2026
+1
Growing up was don't put your pictures online, don't give out your real info or use your real name, etc
1
Perfect_Reply6261Apr 3, 2026
+1
Good observation. I don’t use store shoppers because I don’t trust others to get my order right. I don’t use DoorDash because I am too c****. I do however, take an occasional Uber…at least I used to.
1
helenanightwhisperApr 3, 2026
We grow up being taught to fear strangers, then end up trusting random people with our rides, food, and groceries like it’s no big deal. Makes you realize most strangers aren’t out to get you… until your Uber driver takes a weird route.
0
VeritasAgapeApr 3, 2026
I don't. I never get doordash or anything like that. Never use Uber. Never get groceries delivered. The thought of using these things is absurd and reserved for people like actors living in Beverly Hills. Why do regular people use these things and then complain about finances? To use your wording, "it's kind of wild when you really sit with it" to use these things as "regular routine" and not for rare emergencies. It has nothing to do with strangers.
23 Comments