'Mat le order, mai kha raha hu': Zomato Rider eats customer food after dispute over doorstep delivery

A late-night delivery dispute has gone viral on social media, when a Zomato delivery partner found himself in a heated exchange with a customer, who repeatedly demanded that the food be delivered upstairs and allegedly spoke rudely over the phone when the request was declined.

The Zomato rider had explained that it was past 2:30 am and that he was unwilling to go beyond the standard delivery point.

He went on to record a video describing the phone call and said there is a growing lack of basic courtesy towards delivery workers.

In the video, which was later shared on Instagram by Ankur Thakur, the gig worker disclosed the pressures of working long hours, often late at night, under physically demanding conditions.

He added that delivery agents are not asking for special treatment, but simple, respectful communication from customers.

He further claimed that the customer threatened to cancel the order when he refused to deliver the food parcel upstairs.

In response, the Zomato delivery agent told the customer to proceed with the cancellation. After the order was cancelled, the delivery agent showed the food on camera: a biryani combo with gulab jamun and side dishes.

He remarked that since the order had been cancelled, he would be eating the food himself. The deliveryman ate the food in front of the camera.

View this post on Instagram

Netizens respond

Several viewers sided with him, praising him for refusing to tolerate disrespect; however, some people criticised the act.

One user commented, “Good on you for standing up for yourself. Delivery partners are humans, not servants.”

Another said, “People forget these riders work crazy hours. Basic decency isn’t too much to ask.”

“This is literally what doorstep delivery means. Customers pay extra so they don’t have to come down,” one comment read.

Another added, “Bhai doorstep delivery yehi hoti h aapko usko ghr pe hi dena chiye wo niche kyu aaye , customer handling delivery charges and premium prices convenience k liye hi deta h ! Banda khud se adjust kre toh theek but aap bhi apna job hi kr rhe ho isme uski koi galti nhi"

Also read: “Bakwas bandh karo, sudhar jao aur so jao”: Namita Thapar says going to bed late at night will catch you up after 40s (startuppedia.in)