vLane Blog

Is Ridesharing the New Online Dating?

From LesleyB, Featured Contributor
Posted on August 20, 2008

You Can Learn a Lot About Someone by What They're Looking for in a Ride

Burning Man starts the last week of August this year, and it turns out there's a lot of coordination required to get 50,000 people plus to the middle of the Nevada desert. Lots of people choose to rideshare, and there's a very organized rideshare board set up by the organizers to help people get to the event.

One look at the message board tells you that there's a lot more to sharing a ride than simply having a compatible travel schedule. In fact, there's nothing like the prospect of several days in the car together to encourage people to cut to the chase about what's important to them. Lots of things come into play, including ability to pay or contribute something else to the trip, the amount of baggage (literal), attitudes towards schedules and sticking to them, and attitudes towards various substances (legal and otherwise). Lots of the postings read like more honest versions of personals ads.

Isn't this a much more honest and efficient system for identifying someone who's compatible with you than an online profile? Going on long road trips with strangers probably isn't realistic, but carpooling and ridesharing are. And, if you can enjoy sitting next to someone in a car for a long stretch of time, that's a good sign. And no spending lots of time filling out a profile and screening dates. Good for the environment AND your love life? It just might be.

From the Burning Man rideshare board: Couldn't you figure out which of these people you'd probably get along with?

"Please, nothing illegal and nothing that might explode. We leave Austin on Friday and plan to be on the playa early Monday morning. All gear making the return trip must be onboard the afternoon BEFORE the man burns."

"Have you a fuel efficient car? I like adventure and don't mind stops along the way. I'd even like to visit the Oregon high country not more than a mile or so off route. I need to shlep minimal gear, food, water, and a bicycle. I'm an excellent driver and even better a navigator. As customary i can share transportation expenses and driving duty."

"We are leaving from an Anthroposophical community near New York City and are viewing our trip out to Burning Man as an opportunity for spiritual research and will be working to complete an interactive art piece combining spiritual science, documentation and life transforming fun. We are looking for just the perfect human being to complete the epic journey we have planned ahead of us:)"

"My original travel partner has bailed on me due to his cheapness and now I, a sweet, young, badass lady, am stuck with no affordable transportation. I've done a lot of road-warrioring this summer so I'm ready for the ride, and I'll be good, relaxed, intelligent company. Please help me in my quest for growth and experience!"

"Need a ride and want to share driving/ gas to Reno or BRC let me know. ABSOLUTELY MUST BE A NON SMOKER. NOT EVEN HAVING ONE WHEN WE STOP FOR BREAKS!! Also, no drugs on board. I would not appreciate getting busted for your dope and having my child taken into custody in a foreign country- Thanks. Otherwise all is well."

"Experienced burner with a well-developed camp seeks travel/camp collaborators. I don't drive, so hopefully you can. I have a sixteen-foot dome and attached shade structure (either 10x20 or 20x20 feet), solar lights, lounge chairs, etc., for a comfortable camp, vegetarian and tobacco-free and queer-friendly in Hushville. Seek someone who's mellow, responsible, and adventurous! Thanks, Marvelous"

"Hi there, I'm starting grad school this year so I can only go for the weekend! :( I really don't want to miss the temple burn but last year when we tried to leave right after it we waited in line for 7, yes, 7 hours to get out, I can't take that risk. I'm a really fun person, and I'm looking for someone who is sane and reliable to safely transport me and my stuff for the weekend."