Gambit Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I hate it when taxi drivers strike up a conversation. From the usual 'where are you from', 'where are you going', 'why are you going' to the bizzare 'so I have this computer problem', 'how can I make my son listen to me' I've been subjected to all sorts of questions. :-O I love it when I meet a taxi driver who only opens his mouth to tell me how much fare I owe him.
The Outsider Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Not only taxi drivers, I generally don't like random people striking up a conversation with me anywhere except Indian Railways. It was one of the few things I did not like about California. You go to a grocery store with your stuff, specially the smaller ones, and the lady at the register would talk about how wonderful the weather is, how you are buying the right/wrong stuff, how I wasn't seen around there for the last month blah blah blah. Just take the damn money and give me my damn stuff. Just love this about New York, no one is interested in having a conversation beyond what is necessary.
Dhondy Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 You folks are clearly sociopaths.:-D I had a cabbie recently who was a failed business startup, and told me his sad life story in gory detail. He still owed £40 K from a failed venture. By the end of the 45 minute journey, I had given him so much psycho-boost, he was ready to go again. I tipped him handsomely, shook his hand, and in general restored his faith in humanity. Before shouting at my wife for getting the wrong platform.
Guest dada_rocks Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I otoh bugger taxi drivers with all sorts of questions ranging from their nationality to culture to their family life to everything.... I take it as cultural knowledge exchange endevaour.... My wife goes nuts.. Shw dould go "Why do you have to ask everybody all these questions." She has good reason for that since couple of times american taxi driver didn't like being questioned and I guess they don't know to show their annoyance in gentle manner:haha: So try not to bug these samples.. rest are getting some education in india culture and they better be ready to volunteer the same about their own culture..
Desi Cartman Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 the worst is when the guy peeing next to u says "hey whats up .. " I hate it when someone talks when Im busy in the toilet ... :angry_smile:
Guest dada_rocks Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 the worst is when the guy peeing next to u says "hey whats up .. " I hate it when someone talks when Im busy in the toilet ... :angry_smile: That's ewwwwwwwwwwwwwk
Aditi Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I like talking to random people, and that includes taxi drivers! You learn a lot about different walks of life.
Ram Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I absolutely love talking to the cabbies, especially if they're of Non-Asian, non-American descent. I have this fascination of people of other races and dont miss an oppurtunity to learn more about their way of life. Recently, I boarded a taxi and the driver had a distinct middle-eastern look to him. His name tag also said 'Walid', so I figured out that he's definitely from a Muslim part of the world. So, the conversation started with a gentle 'Where are you from' and just flowed there after. The guy was from Morroco... What was very evident from the conversation was his distinct hatred for Americans and American culture. He openly dissed them for their lack of family values and said.. ' I have had a women passenger, along with her bf come in my taxi... The women's husband called her in her cellphone and she openly lied to him that she was in a meeting, while the other guy was fondling her p****...'.. :D.. He also said how some people get really drunk in the night and call him up and treat him like a rag dog sometimes... ' People here dont respect taxi drivers... Whats the difference between me and an airplane pilot? Both of us take people from point A to B.. But I get to spend the night with my family, while the pilot has to stay in hotels.. Who do you think is better?' Another occasion, there was this black dude.. I could guess he was African from his accent and asked him if he was.. He told me he was Nigerian and the conversation meandered into everything and anything thats African, starting from Robert Mugabe, to oil corruption in Nigeria... When I reached my destination, the man gave me a generous smile and told me.. 'You seem to be very educated, it was good talking to you..'... That compliment essentially made my day.. :D
vadodaravictor Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 the worst is when the guy peeing next to u says "hey whats up .. " I hate it when someone talks when Im busy in the toilet ... :angry_smile: I couldn't agree more. Once I was peeing at University restroom and I had my professor come for peeing next to me. Suddenly prof asks me "So are you done with that paper write up ? When can I expect draft ?":(( Giving explanation for slacking and that too while peeing can be most challenging situation in life:--D
Guest dada_rocks Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Moroccan guys drive a lot of Taxis I guess.. I too have bumped into them on several occassions..... One poor guy was so worried about his kids treating him rudely like american black kids......
Cricketics Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 well the last time i hired a cab was during my graduation, which was yearz back.. that guy was from Ghana, and congratulated me for my graduation about 15 times. and taught me how to say "how are you" in his ghanian language.
Rajiv Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Oh Man, love talking to cabbies but only for a certain time. It wasa interesting coz most the cabbies in Toronto were doctors and engineers and make lotta money driving cabs I totally enjoy talking to a stranger, don't see whats wrong in that. I hate snobbish behavior
ludhianvi Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I was planning to be a cabbie some time ago. And would have loved to bump into one of you guys. :D I am more of an introvert but dont mind talking to strangers if there's not many people around. I can do one on one with no problem whatsoever.
Guest dada_rocks Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Cabby/vegetable-vendor these are in my list of must-be-done-once sometime
Lurker Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Love talking to cabbies, well most of the time anyway. Sometimes I am too stressed for a variety of reasons and then I just dont want to make conversation but broadly yes it is always fun to talk to a stranger and make some nice conversation.
Colin Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Chatting with taxi drivers is a must do where i live, some of them are hilarious. Chinese taxi drivers are great, they pretend to understand and just keep nodding.:haha:
Holysmoke Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I dont care. Somehow I can have a regular conversation and still be in deep thought in my own head. But i love talking to cab drivers in mumbai.. they are a different breed.. always laughing and joking around.
Lurker Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I dont care. Somehow I can have a regular conversation and still be in deep thought in my own head. Thats because you have a split personality :giggle:
SachDan Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I dont care. Somehow I can have a regular conversation and still be in deep thought in my own head. But i love talking to cab drivers in mumbai.. they are a different breed.. always laughing and joking around. Exactly..I too always liked riding in a taxi in Mumbai. Here its filled with Pakis and I hate the conversation with them...even if you stay dumb,they won't leave you
Rajiv Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I had a Pakistani cabbie once, he was taling on his cellphone - didnt wait for stop signs and almost ran over a couple who looked all shocked as the cab was driving towards them and the guy never cared Thankfully, I had to stop soon else it was all over with that one
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