If you think dating apps are the pinnacle of modern romance, think again. New York City’s unlikeliest matchmaker might just be a yellow cab driver named Mohammad Malik, who, over his 30-year career, reportedly played Cupid to over 100 passengers. According to interviews and news reports from 2018, Malik’s backseat matchmaking began organically. He’d strike up conversations with single riders, jot down their interests in a notebook, and later connect them with other passengers who shared similar hobbies, life goals, or even dietary preferences. His secret? A mix of intuition, charm, and a dash of New York bluntness.
Malik’s reputation as the “Taxi Cupid” grew after he successfully paired several couples who went on to marry. One couple, matched over their mutual love of jazz and Thai food, even invited him to their wedding. “I’m just a driver,” Malik modestly told reporters, though his notebook—filled with scribbled names, phone numbers, and quirks like “hates cilantro” or “obsessed with penguins”—suggests otherwise. His system was simple but effective: ask questions, listen carefully, and never force a connection. “Chemistry is like traffic,” he once quipped. “You can’t rush it, but you can steer it.”
The story, while heartwarming, also highlights a fading slice of New York’s cultural fabric. Before algorithms took over dating, cab drivers like Malik served as unofficial therapists, tour guides, and yes, romantic intermediaries. His efforts weren’t just about love; they were about human connection in a city often criticized for its anonymity. Riders trusted him with their vulnerabilities, and he repaid that trust by playing gatekeeper to his “dating Rolodex,” refusing to share numbers without mutual consent.
Critics might dismiss Malik’s 100-date claim as urban legend, but multiple passengers and local journalists have corroborated his matchmaking feats. Even skeptics admit the math adds up: over three decades, arranging a few dates a year isn’t just plausible—it’s practically a public service in a city where finding “the one” can feel like hailing a cab in a rainstorm.
Malik retired in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of love stories that predate swiping and profile prompts. His cab may no longer cruise Manhattan’s streets, but his tale endures as a reminder that romance doesn’t always need a high-tech fix. Sometimes, all it takes is a chatty driver, a 20-minute ride, and the courage to say, “Hey, I know someone you should meet.” After all, in a city of 8 million, love might just be one fare away.
