Ever wondered what your food delivery driver really thinks about you? If you’re like most of us, you probably hope you’re seen as a friendly, easy-going customer—maybe even one of the ‘good ones’.
But according to those on the front lines of Australia’s booming gig economy, the reality is a little more complicated.
And, as one former paramedic-turned-DoorDash driver recently revealed, the way we treat the people bringing our pad Thai and pizzas says a lot about us as a society.
From paramedic to pizza delivery: A tale of two uniforms
Cody Scholes, a former paramedic and political candidate, has seen both ends of the respect spectrum.
When he wore the paramedic uniform, he says, people would ‘bend over backwards’ to be courteous and grateful—even when he was just grabbing a sandwich at the servo.
But after a stint as a DoorDash driver, Cody’s experience took a sharp turn. Suddenly, he found himself ignored, dismissed, and sometimes outright disrespected.
‘Since I’ve been doordashing, I realise now that people will only be nice to you or treat you with respect if they think that it benefits them or if they can get something out of it,’ Cody shared in a candid video.
‘It’s kind of been disappointing… the more I engage with people in customer service roles, the more I’m let down by the general public.’
The invisible workforce
Cody’s not alone. The gig economy—think DoorDash, Uber Eats, Menulog—relies on a huge workforce, many of whom are migrants and among the lowest paid in the country.
These workers are the backbone of our modern convenience, yet they often feel invisible, ignored, and undervalued.
‘I am used to being ignored, staff turning their backs on me, staff criticising me for things that aren’t even my fault,’ Cody says. ‘They see people who work in jobs like this as being far below them. Not worthy of their time.’
It’s a sentiment echoed by many in the industry. One woman in her 40s, with a university degree and years of management experience, said she’s ‘never been treated so badly’ as when she started delivering for DoorDash.
‘They make me wait 15 minutes purposely ignoring me, then the customers get cold food and I get a bad review,’ she wrote.
‘I have also seen poverty that I never knew existed in Australia. Like horror living conditions.’
Who’s really tipping? The surprising truth
If you think the wealthiest customers are the most generous, think again. Many drivers report that the biggest tippers are often those with the least to spare.
‘The wealthiest customers don’t tip and don’t leave positive reviews. The poorest customers hand me a tip in cash to show that they are grateful for my delivery,’ one driver shared.
It’s a reminder that kindness and gratitude aren’t tied to your bank balance—they’re a choice we make every day.
The broader problem: Disrespect for ‘lowly’ jobs
The issue goes beyond food delivery. Many Australians in customer-facing roles—waitstaff, cleaners, retail workers—report similar experiences. ‘Disrespect for “lowly” jobs is absolutely a thing,’ one commenter said.
‘I’ve worked in customer service, waitressing, washing dishes, cleaning, bar work, secretary in law offices, lots of various jobs through the years to keep food on the table & put our kids through school.’
It’s a sobering thought: the people who keep our lives running smoothly are often the ones treated with the least respect.
Why does this happen?
There’s no single answer, but a few factors are at play:
Social status: Some people see certain jobs as ‘beneath them’ and treat workers accordingly.
Stress and frustration: Life’s pressures can make us short-tempered, and unfortunately, customer service workers often bear the brunt.
Anonymity: When you order online, it’s easy to forget there’s a real person on the other end.
Cody himself acknowledges that many people are struggling with their own pressures, but he urges us all to remember that delivery drivers and customer service workers are just trying to do their jobs—and maybe make someone’s day a little easier.
A simple solution: The golden rule
It doesn’t take much to turn things around. As one commenter put it: ‘Lowest paid or highest paid, whether you’re a king or a servant, refugee or citizen, no one is better than anyone. We are all equal and deserve to be respected equally.’
So next time you order a meal, pick up a parcel, or interact with anyone in a customer service role, remember: a smile, a thank you, or even just a moment of patience can make a world of difference.
Your turn: Have your say
Have you worked in a customer service or delivery role? Or have you had a memorable experience—good or bad—with a delivery driver?
We’d love to hear your stories and tips for making these everyday interactions a little kinder. Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s start a conversation about respect, gratitude, and the small ways we can all make Australia a friendlier place.
Also read: Robot delivery, anyone? The future of food delivery in Australia
I don’t have a food delivery driver! If I want to do any shopping, I do it myself, including take-aways. I ALWAYS PAY CASH for these purchases.
I don’t want a 10 page bank statement to reconcile each month, so paying by card is not on my radar. I have a bank account which doesn’t charge any fees, so why should I pay surcharges when purchasing anything and paying by card?
I have had bad delivery drivers, like the last time I ordered KFC, the driver just dropped my order on the ground under the doorbell button and didn’t even bother to ring the bell, just left it there it was only because I went back to the online tracking that knew it had been delivered.