DEAR HARRIETTE: I needed a ride to the airport and did not want to pay the $60 cab fee. So I went on social media and asked those in my area if anyone was willing to drive me for less. I got an anonymous response, and I asked the sender for his Facebook account to see if I was being scammed. This person looked reliable, and I ended up getting a safe and enjoyable ride to the airport for $5. Upon hearing about this, my friends were amazed that I could be so "stupid" and "irresponsible" and get a ride from a stranger. I feel like I did my research and was prepared to walk away if I got to the arranged meeting spot and my driver wasn't who he promised to be.
I think living adventurously is the key to life, and my friends should be more open to different experiences. When asked to explain myself, I said I did not want to pay the high cab rate and wanted to see if the Internet would help me out. I think my friends are being boring and sheltered, and I definitely plan on doing this again. Should I not tell them before I go? I told them before I went previously, just in case, but I want to avoid their judgment. -- Bargain on the Road, Queens, New York
DEAR BARGAIN ON THE ROAD: Sorry, but I skew on the side of your friends. Usually, a deal as low as that does not turn out to be legitimate. Most important is your safety, and that includes that the driver is insured. This is why even when the black cars from private car services offer to pick you up on the street, the police do not condone it. You should ride in a car with an insured driver so that, God forbid, if anything happens, you are covered.
I get the notion of adventure, and have had my fair share of it in my life. I'm not a fan of blind rides. I would say, though, if you continue to do it, do not hide it from your friends. Somebody should know your whereabouts -- especially during risky behavior. Ask them to keep their opinions to themselves.