Taxi driver waves off cleanup offer after 6-month-old vomits all over cab: 'It's just what babies do'

A story about a taxi driver who comforted a flustered mother after her 6-month-old baby vomited heavily inside his cab — and then refused any compensation — has gone viral online.

The story surfaced Thursday on Bobaedream, a popular online community, in a post titled "My baby projectile-vomited in a taxi." The author, identified only as A, wrote that she had taken her infant to the hospital after the baby developed a rash following a formula feeding.

On the way home, the baby suddenly vomited a large amount inside the taxi, instantly soaking the infant, the mother and the cab's interior. As A repeatedly apologized, the driver tried to calm her down. Even while stopped at a red light, he handed her plastic bags and wet wipes and asked first about the baby's condition.

Unable to clean the cab while holding the baby and carrying bags, A told the driver several times that she would come back down to help clean up once they reached her home. The driver simply said, "It's just what babies do — don't worry about it," and drove off the moment she stepped out.

After going inside, A found the baby's condition had worsened and returned to the hospital. About four hours later, she tracked down the driver's contact information through the ride-hailing app and reached out. When she offered to send money if he shared his bank account number, the driver again politely declined, repeating, "It's just what babies do. Please don't worry."

A said she saved his phone number hoping to send him a gift through KakaoTalk, but could not find an account linked to the number.

"If the driver happens to see this post, or if anyone who knows him does, please pass this along," A wrote, addressing a driver surnamed Song in one of Seoul's districts. "I will remember your warm heart for a long time."

Other users flooded the post with supportive comments. "I hope the driver, the mother and the baby all have good things coming their way," one wrote. Others said, "I truly respect that driver," and "I hope he is blessed."

Under Seoul's taxi service regulations, passengers who soil a vehicle through vomiting or other means may be charged up to 150,000 won ($97) to cover cleaning costs and lost fares.