Ordering food online has become a part of our daily lives.From spicy biryani to warm desserts, everything is just a few taps away.With multiple food delivery apps now offering 10-minute delivery, we’re more likely to choose the fastest option. Waiting is no longer something we’re used to.But behind that quick delivery is a person—someone we often forget.More Than Just a Delivery PartnerThe one delivering your food isn’t a machine or a superhero.He’s a regular person, riding the same kind of bike we do, navigating the same chaotic traffic we complain about.Yet, we expect him to reach our doorstep in just 10 minutes—no delays, no excuses.To meet these unrealistic expectations, delivery workers are pushed to take risks—jumping traffic signals, overspeeding, squeezing through narrow lanes, and often riding in unsafe conditions. It’s not just stressful—it’s dangerous.One delivery partner shared, “We are not doing this job because we love it—we do it just to run our homes.Another added, It is very difficult to deliver goods on time. We have to rush like anything, and still, we are blamed if we’re even a few minutes late.No Time for BasicsIn the rush to deliver back-to-back orders, their own needs get neglected.There’s often no time to eat a proper meal, drink water, or even take a short break.Lunch hours turn into delivery hours. Rain or shine, hunger or exhaustion—they keep going.They work long hours on the road, always under pressure, always in motion.Not because they want to but because they need to.As one partner mentioned, In the rainy season, our vehicles often skid—but we still have to deliver on time.Another said, “In the summer heat, we just expect a glass of water. Some people kindly offer it, while others even scold us for asking.Living on the EdgeMany delivery workers describe their job as a daily gamble.A gamble with time. A gamble with safety.One small mistake on the road, one near-miss, and things can go wrong.And all this—for what?A small payout. A handful of earnings that barely match the risk they take.Ratings, penalties, and delivery targets only add to the burden.Weren’t We Managing Before?Let’s pause and think.Didn’t we manage fine before food delivery apps became a part of our lives?Didn’t we wait at restaurants? Step out to buy food from the local shop?Today, everything has become a race.Faster food, quicker service, more apps trying to deliver at record speed.But while we enjoy this comfort, someone else is paying the price for it.Time to Slow Down and Show KindnessIt’s time we start seeing the person behind the helmet.The one who’s riding through traffic so we don’t have to.The one who’s skipping meals so ours arrive on time.The next time your order is running late by 5 or 10 minutes, breathe.Be patient. Be kind. Remember that a few extra minutes for us could mean a safer journey for someone else.Conclusion:The food delivery industry has changed our lives for the better, but it has also created a silent crisis for those on the other end.Speed should never come at the cost of someone’s well-being.Let’s stop demanding faster service and start appreciating the real people who make it happen.Because a meal delivered with care will always taste better than one delivered in a rush.
By Ayush Gandewar
Reporting for,TRUE TO LIFE News Media