SynopsisA Bengaluru software engineer was surprised to discover that his Rapido bike taxi rider was also a software developer working at a multinational company and earning a six-figure salary. The rider revealed that he drives on weekends to earn extra income and provide greater financial security for his family. Shared on X by user Shabaz, the story quickly went viral and sparked discussions about rising living costs.Driver reveals he earns a six-figure salary at an MNC, leaves passenger surprised (Reprsentative Image)For years, a six-figure salary in India's technology industry was considered enough to guarantee a comfortable lifestyle. But as the cost of housing, education, healthcare and everyday living continues to rise in major cities, many professionals are discovering that a good paycheck does not always bring the financial cushion it once did. A recent viral post from Bengaluru has reignited that conversation after a software engineer was surprised to learn that the Rapido bike taxi rider taking him to his destination was also a tech professional working at a multinational company and earning a six-figure salary.The story was shared on X by a user named Shabaz, who described an unexpected conversation during a Rapido ride to Bannerghatta. What began as a routine journey soon turned into a discussion about work, family responsibilities and the growing financial pressures faced by many urban households.According to Shabaz, the rider initially spoke to him in Kannada before switching to English after realising he was not fluent in the language. During the ride, the two began talking about their professions.“I told him I'm a software engineer,” Shabaz wrote.The rider's response caught him off guard. The man revealed that he too worked as a software developer at a multinational company. Despite holding a corporate job and earning a six-figure monthly salary, he spends his weekends driving for Rapido to bring in extra income.The engineer, reportedly 35 years old, explained that he is married, has a young child and wants to improve his family's financial security. Rather than treating weekends as downtime, he uses them as an opportunity to earn additional money.Encounter raises questions about life in big citiesThe interaction stayed with Shabaz long after the ride ended. Reflecting on the conversation, he shared his thoughts online.“It genuinely made me think. If someone with a good tech job and a six-figure salary still feels the need for a weekend side hustle, how expensive has life become in Bangalore and other Tier-1 cities?” he wrote.His post quickly gained attention and sparked a wider discussion about the realities of living in India's largest urban centres. Many users said the story reflected a growing concern among middle-class professionals who feel increasing pressure despite earning what would traditionally be considered a strong salary.With property prices continuing to climb and monthly expenses rising across categories, many argued that household budgets are becoming harder to manage than before.Internet debates side hustles and financial pressureAs the post spread across social media, users offered different perspectives on the engineer's decision.Some people sympathised with his situation, saying that salaries can get stretched quickly once expenses such as home loan EMIs, rent, school fees, childcare, insurance and support for ageing parents are factored in. Several users pointed out that for sole earners supporting an entire family, financial pressure can be significant even with a well-paying job.Others, however, questioned whether driving a bike taxi was the most effective way to increase earnings. Some argued that technology professionals could potentially achieve better long-term financial outcomes by investing their time in learning new skills, earning certifications or preparing for higher-paying roles.One commenter suggested that upskilling would likely deliver greater returns over time than taking up gig work. Another user said software engineers should focus on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced engineering and distributed computing to strengthen their career prospects.Read More News on...morelessRead More News on...moreless