When You Catch A Taxi...

A Waiting Taxi - A taxi driver waiting in his yellow taxi, posing for a photograph and waiting for a passenger to drive around the place.
@Malyck (3425)
Australia
May 4, 2008 1:24am CST
Do you try to have a conversation with your driver, or do you tell them where you're going and leave it at that until it's time to pay and leave? I got to thinking about this when I was in a taxi on my way home from the theatre last night, and trying to think of something to talk about with my driver, because I feel tense driving with someone I don't know/know anything about, especially when tacky music is playing on the radio and I feel like my head could explode =P We ended up talking about how our night has been and then about music, including the horrible radio, and it made my journey a lot more comfortable, and I'd like to think it was nice for my driver also. When I was a kid, and my family and I would catch a taxi around, especially in the city, we would talk amongst ourselves, but also have a chat with the driver - they're people too, after all =) So, when you catch a cab, do you talk to the driver? Do you stay silent? Do you do something else to keep occupied (read/talk on the phone etc)? And does it depend on whether you're in the taxi alone or with friends/family? Excited to read everyone's responses =) Mal.
5 people like this
39 responses
@GreenMoo (11833)
4 May 08
I rarely catch a taxi, but whether I speak to the driver or not depends on which sort of cab it is. If it's a black cab, then as I sit in the rear I rarely talk. It's sort of difficult to have a conversation with the back of someone's head through a plastic screen after all! If I have to book a cab in advance though I always get a mini cab, and in those cases I prefer to sit in the front seat with the driver. I guess I feel better about taking a vab that way. If I sit in the back then I feel as if I'm trying to be royalty!! Anyway, in the front it's naturaly to talk, even if it's just rubbish about the weather and where you're going. I figure that life as a taxi driver must be pretty dull unless people chat, but it must get pretty repetetive talking the same small talk over and over all day.
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
I'm fairly certain that we only have one kind of taxi in Australia. Plenty of different taxi companies and looks, and of course there's the minibuses, but we don't have any "black cabs" with dividers. I certainly would imagine it would be hard to talk through such a thing. That would make me quite uncomfortable, actually... I have to admit that I do like to sit in the back seat when I catch a cab, even when it's just me. It's not a matter of feeling like royalty, and it's nothing against the driver, but it makes me feel uncomfortable due to some past experiences. I kind of feel bad that all I can usually offer is small-talk, but I usually go into a bit of detail about my own day/night so far, which is often pretty out there, so it's a little less common than what I imagine they hear all day, but again, I wouldn't know. =D Thanks for the response, Moo, you're always a pleasure =)
2 people like this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
Lol =P I have a kind of Thespian lifestyle, or at least that's usually what I'm up to when I need to catch a cab, so that's usually the kind of stories that I share. The unbelievably soap-like goings on of backstage and onstage =P Let's share a cab all the same. =)
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11833)
4 May 08
Now I'm desperate to share a cab with you, in order to find out about all these 'out there' activities that you get up to :-)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 May 08
I do.:) I think its courteous. And its also a security measure. You gt to talk to the driver, ask his name, where he's from. That stops holduppers posing as drivers from nabbing you.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
I suppose it is a good security measure as well, but more importantly for me, it's just polite and kind. So many people seem to think that "public servants" don't require conversation or interaction beyond payment and that to me just shows some sense of superiority and I don't believe in that. =D My main security measure is kind of subconscious, I always look at the registration picture and confirm that that is indeed my driver =)
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@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
Lol, pretty much, I suppose. Oh well, at least it's a kind of cool movie-plot cliche kind of situation if we ever got in it =P Moo, please send me to bed, remind me that it's midnight and I should be sound asleep =P
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@GreenMoo (11833)
4 May 08
Once you're in the cab, chatting to the driver, hasn't he already got you if he's a 'holderupper'?
1 person likes this
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
7 May 08
The only time I have taken a cab was when we went to mexico. We had a large group with us in the cab so we didn't do much talking with the driver but I guess I would talk to the driver if I would be alone with them. Unless I was busy doing something else.
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@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
8 May 08
Well that makes sense, it can be a bit hard to hold one conversation with a whole group =) Did you have fun in Mexico?
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
15 May 08
There's never been a choice for me. I think every taxi driver has been very outgoing and talkative. Even when I give short answers because I'm not feeling well or something it doesn't deter them from chatting up a storm!
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
15 May 08
Lol, in a nice or pushy way?
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
10 May 08
a taxi in the city of Hangzhou, China - This is a taxi in Hangzhou, running on the road close to the West lake.
Hello Malyck. Usually I love to chat with the driver whose taxi I am using. I am usually the one to start with a nice conversation to make the trip more interesting.If I am not in the mood, I will just sit silently all the way to my destination after telling him where I am going. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
10 May 08
I like the thought that my conversation with a driver might have just improved their day, as it usually does mine =) Thank you also, William =)
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@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
11 May 08
Is that a picture that you took, or one off the internet? It's quite nice =)
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@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
13 May 08
I honestly have never taken a taxi. I did however used to drive one. That was interesting to say the least. You would be surprised at how many weird looks I got being that I was a women driving a cab.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
13 May 08
That's interesting that you've driven one, but never caught one =) I can imagine the looks and the amount, actually. Even in Australia there aren't a large number of female "cabbies". I wouldn't mind driving a cab =) Thanks for your comment, Cortney =D
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
6 May 08
I usually don't talk to the driver unless the driver talks to me first. Even then it depends...if the driver gets beyond a comfort level...then I reply in monosyllables so that he understands I'm not interested in talking. Most of the time in a cab, I'm thinking about something and don't like to be disturbed...so I prefer to keep to myself...or just reply to what the driver asks. I don't read or talk on the phone in the cab. My husband usually talks to the driver...so if we are together as a family....my husband is more often than not talking to him and not to us.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
7 May 08
I've found that drivers usually respond better to men, like when I've been with male friends or my dad and they can talk about "manly" things =P I'm usually the one who gets a driver's response in monosyllables and realise that they're not interested, so then it's back to staring out of the window for me =)
1 person likes this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
6 May 08
sometimes i did when the driver initiate the talking coz i think its rude not to respond back and all..but if not then i just sit there and think of other things..
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
7 May 08
That's fair enough, there are times I'm happy not to start talking, but I'll always respond if they do =) Thank you for your comment, and have a lovely day! =)
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
4 May 08
If I get in a taxi with a friend then I talk to that friend. However if I am alone I chat to the taxi driver if he or she is a friendly person. I went for a weekend in the North East part of England. The taxi driver's wife saw I had a baby with me and asked if I wanted to use their daughter's car seat. The taxi driver told me many interesting things about the local area and he waited with me for the train to come because if it didn't come he would drive me onto Newcastle. When I was in Paris I talked French to the taxi driver so he would not overcharge me. I fell down a drain when I was in Malaysia and really hurt my leg. So I didn't feel my leg would get on well going on the local bus. So I found a taxi driver to drive me four hours across the country to the border with Singapore. I got a couple of other backpackers to join me. He was an older taxi driver that still did drive in a fairly dangerous way and he listened to music.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
You always have such great stories. I hope I've travelled and experienced as much as you have by whenever the end of my days is =) The couple in N.E. England sound absolutely lovely =D
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• China
6 May 08
When I am thinking in the cab, I prefer keep silent:) Most of the time I'd like to think in the taxi.
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@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
7 May 08
Thinking is good - and it seems to be what a lot of people enjoy doing in taxis if they're not talking, from the responses that I've had so far. Thank you for your response! =)
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@zuyoji (82)
• Singapore
6 May 08
Hello~ To me, if the taxi driver talk to me, I will reply it back and we will get into discussion on a lot of topics. It is quite fun to find myself talking to a totally strangers about school work, politics, government, kids, adult world, and many other topics. If the taxi driver just keep quiet and drive his taxi car, i will remain silent and do my own things like listening to my IPOD, reading my SMSes, read my book or even look outside of the cab. However, normally taxi driver tends to talk a lot and chatty, which is totally fine for me. I will chat with them, talk about my opinion on the subject. This is when i am alone in the cab with the driver. Same goes to if i having cab together with my friends. However, normally for friends, we talk to each other without the driver adding in. We will talk and talk till our destination arrive and we pay up and off we go. Or even, too tire to talk to the cabby and we just remain silent. Come to think of that, it is quite a amazing system where strangers are under a car roof.Sometimes i wonder is there any taxi motorbikes where only 1 person is behind the rider. i think it is faster and maybe cheaper.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 May 08
yes, cab drivers are humans as well and its important for them to also be entertained. imagine sitting in a cab 8 or i dont know how many more hours in a day inside a car driving around and with no one to talk to that much. so they really need to have conversations sometimes with other people. and once you talk to them, some of the cab drivers really have nice things to say, or a lot of topics that are interesting to talk about. when i ride in a cab it really depends on my mood that day. there are times that i dont want to talk to the driver because i have to read and study my notes. but there are times that i just dont feel like talking that day. and there are times that i start up a conversation with them by asking 1 question. from that question leads to an interaction between 2 or more individuals in the cab. it makes the trip a more pleasant trip dont you thing?! sometimes when i have conversations with a vab driver it doesnt even end when we reach my destination. hehehe
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
I've found that they can have some really interesting stories as well, and I love it when I'm somewhere unfamiliar and they can get me acquainted with the area/it's history, places to see etc. I usually start a conversation with some kind of question, or a statement that can be easily responded to. It usually all starts as small talk, but it can grow into a "proper" conversation =) I've had that happen too, on short and long rides, where we're still talking once it's time for me to hop out =P
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 May 08
yes, just to kill the boredom of riding the taxi...besides it will be good for them...because its pretty sure that most of the time customers doesn't talk to them at all..
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
I feel the same way. I assume (Although I don't know) that not all that many customers would be striking up conversation, because many seem to think of cabbies as some sort of second class person who is there just to serve them. But from the responses so far, it seems most people on MyLot like to have a chat to their drivers =)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 May 08
well for me that will depend on th esituation, i'm not a very chatty person specially if i don't know anything about him/her.if the driver will start the conversation that the time that i'll chat or answer him but normally i don't talk or start the conversation. it also depend on the topic cause i don't want to open up any personal topics.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
I agree with you, I don't go divulging anything too personal or irrelevant, I usually just like a light banter with my driver who's the one keeping me company and getting me from place to place =)
1 person likes this
@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
5 May 08
I always talk to the taxi driver as they are on thier own most of the time. I used to be a taxi driver myself and was always happier if the passengers made conversation to pass the time away. Have a great day from Deeeky.
@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
5 May 08
Taxi driving had its good and bad points as there are nice people and some very ignorant ones. Thankfully the good people outweigh the bad ones. I drove for twenty years and only advantage was the time waiting for passengers.
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
I'm glad that the good outweighs the bad; it doesn't always seem that way in some instances, but it's good to know it is =D Thank you again, Deeeky =D
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
Did you enjoy being a taxi driver? How many years did you drive for? I think it would be fascinating =) Thanks for your response Deeeky! And have a wonderful day =D
• United States
4 May 08
I am a chatty person, so it really depends on the vibe that I get from the driver. If I feel that this person is friendly and good to talk to, I will strike up a conversation about just anything. Not often do I get this, but if the person seems preoccupied, disturbed about something, or just plain closed off, I will not try to pry in their business. There was one time that I wasn't as talkative to the driver, but he was determined to get a conversation out of me. I was getting a cab from the hospital with my daughter, she had been touched, so understandably I was upset. However, he kept prying into a conversation with me, and I gave short answers because even though I was upset, I didn't want to be outright rude. It did help a little, because it took my mind that much off of what was going on. He did ask what was going on with my daughter, and I told him I didn't want to talk about it. It all became clear to him when he pulled up to the house, and saw the police car in front. He made sure to say "Prosecute to the full extent of the law!!!" before bidding me farewell.
• United States
5 May 08
Yes it was nice, and I probably would have had a good time with him under different circumstances. I didn't get mad at him, just a little irritated, especially when I told him that I usually would be talkative, just there was something bothering me right now that I didn't want to talk about. I still wasn't rude to the man, because I am the same way that he is.
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
I actually can't imagine you being mad =D All the same, well done for keeping composed in that situation, I know many people (including myself) probably would have let their emotions and the issues get in the way. Have a wonderful day!
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
5 May 08
That was lovely of him to be concerned, without prying too much. I know what you mean about people being determined, against all odds, to talk to you and get a conversation going. I guess it's not too bad when they mean well, like he obviously did. I am known to yell at people on occasion when they insist and I'm in a bad mood though =P Never a cabby, so far *fingers crossed*
1 person likes this
@rexiemay (401)
• Philippines
4 May 08
i have this habit of engaging into conversations with taxi drivers. some get rude but others rae really nice. its nice talking to them because i get a lot of insights about their lives. i also give advices from them regarding erligion, politics,government, poverty and even relationships. i dont see anything wrong with talking to them because they are aslo human being and they are no different from us.
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
I agree, they're no different, and just like everyone else, probably get lonely and tired when they're at work. I'd like to know that I gave them a happy memory for that day by not just being some faceless, voiceless passenger who treated them like a robot or slave. I agree that some of them can get a bit rude in what they say or by not responding at all, but I'd rather try and have a bad response than not try at all =D
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
4 May 08
I drove a taxi when I was younger so I can tell you that it's pleasant for passengers to make conversation. The only thing not pleasant is when they go on and on about how bad their romantic partner is or what brats their kids are. Drivers, like everyone else, enjoy uplifting and friendly conversation. I've had some people pour their hearts out and it really upset me that I couldn't help them. I enjoyed it most when people spoke about what great days they had or bragged on their kids or something else nice.
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@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
I know what you mean - some people think you have nothing better to do than listen to their problems, but they'd never have that sort of conversation with some other stranger. That's very cool that you used to drive cabs, I was hoping that I'd find some mylotters who do/did to get their insight, so thank you =D I'll make sure to always keep my conversations enjoyable, uplifting and friendly =D
1 person likes this
@jesbellaine (4139)
• Philippines
6 May 08
Hi There. Most of the time, I don't have a conversation with the driver. It is not because I don't want too but I am just really quiet when I am in the cab. I Just tell him where I want to go then that's it. Sometimes, the driver will talk to me if it is really traffic and that is the time that I will talk to him as well. Cheers!
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
7 May 08
=D I love being in cabs in traffic. I don't know why, but I think it might have something to do with feeling really anonymous and just like one more random person in a sea of cars. They're usually the times that I get all quiet and reflective. Lol. Thanks for your response, Jes =)
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
8 May 08
I'm often daydreaming - it surprises me each and every day that I don't get into more accidents =P
• Philippines
8 May 08
yes, that is true. I often like "daydream" when I am in the cab. hahaha.
• China
4 May 08
most of time, i have no words to talk with driver when i catch a taxi to somewhere. i know if i could have a conversation with my driver, my journey would be more comfortable and the time would pass more quickly. So i have tried to get some common subjects that we are interested in, and sometimes it works well, while sometimes not. but talkint with driver would affect his driving, so i think i should keep silence till the end or just talk with friends by cellphone. my trip would be safer
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
4 May 08
I agree that it can be difficult and we often don't have anything to say, or any idea of what we might have in common. I usually just ask how their night/day has been etc, and show my interest in a discussion with them. Some respond, some don't, but I like to know that I made the effort. I kind of agree that it might affect their driving, but when I'm driving with friends and family we always have conversations, naturally, so I'm no more worried about my safety when I'm talking to my cab driver. =D Thanks for responding!
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