Yesterday I spent a looonnnngggg day out with the kids and opted for a NT300 cab ride over the bus/MRT. I knew I didn’t have enough cash on me for the fare so I asked the taxi driver to wait for just a minute while I ran upstairs to get him the NT$35 I was short, and I planned to give him another 50 for being nice enough to wait. Well, just as I was insisting I’d be right back, he kept insisting No problem, No problem, and drove off.
I feel a little guilty, “taking” the guy’s NT35, you know? Anyway, thought I’d share a positive story for a change considering some of the negative experiences I’ve had recently.
I have to say (grudgingly) that I think Taipei taxi drivers are quite professional and polite - their service being very good.
It’s how they behave to people outside their car that’s the real problem.
There was this one time…I pulled brain dead move and got back on the Hsin Dien bound train after just coming from Kungguan (instead of heading to Chong Ho). When I realized the error of my ways I got off at taipower and climbed out, figuring I deserved a cab ride.
I came out the wrong exit and hailed a cab…completely twisted around (still FOB days)…
I got into the a/c comfort and gave the guy my directions, he understood and off we went. I closed my eyes for a few minutes and the next thing I know, we are trying to pull a u-turn on a very busy Shida Lu. I realize I have had another brain fart and exhale and swear a little at my own stupidity.
The poor driver thought I was upset with him and by the time he got me home, he refused to take any money. I tried dropping it on the seat and leaving but he got out and thrust it back into my hands.
I felt like such a Popo.
I agree with Dangermouse to a certain degree…but still think he needs to chill his driving habits…at least he is aware of the problem…now maybe he can realize paisay is the better way.
[quote=“Dangermouse”]I have to say (grudgingly) that I think Taipei taxi drivers are quite professional and polite - their service being very good.
It’s how they behave to people outside their car that’s the real problem.[/quote]
Agree 100 percent! Taking a taxi is always a pleasure! And by now I can have the mandatory ‘how long have you been here? - are you an English teacher? - what country do you come from? - did you learn your Chinese in Taiwan?’ conversation in my sleep!
But as to people outside the taxi! Well I discovered the precise monetary value of a human life to be NT$70 since coming to Taiwan! :s
I don’t entirely blame the individual taxi drivers. There are far too many taxis in Taipei anyway and it’s getting harder and harder for these guys to make a living. It’s part of the sad fact that as Taiwan has become more politically democratic, it’s become more and more unequal economically.
In defense of the hardworking taxi drivers in Taiwan, I’d like to say, yes, they often drive like bike messengers, but most of them are professional drivers and much less likely to hit you than the idiot driving the Volvo.
I’ve noticed that people driving Volvos in Taiwan are really lacking in driving skills. Is that why they buy what they presume to be the safest care avaliable?
[quote=“hoedad”]In defense of the hardworking taxi drivers in Taiwan, I’d like to say, yes, they often drive like bike messengers, but most of them are professional drivers and much less likely to hit you than the idiot driving the Volvo.
I’ve noticed that people driving Volvos in Taiwan are really lacking in driving skills. Is that why they buy what they presume to be the safest care avaliable?[/quote]
Hoedad, as a - until recently - owner of a Volvo then i take this as a highly abusive and insulting remark. Mods please reprimand him
[quote=“hoedad”]In defense of the hardworking taxi drivers in Taiwan, I’d like to say, yes, they often drive like bike messengers, but most of them are professional drivers and much less likely to hit you than the idiot driving the Volvo.
[/quote]
Hmmm… I haven’t been hit by a Volvo driver but I have been hit by a taxi twice… not the same taxi, I believe!
I’m sticking with the line that these guys (and gals) are usually charming and kind to customers but generally couldn’t give a s$%t for other road users.
I have had great conversations with taxi drivers including the rather cute who gave me one of the sweetest bits of flattery when he missed my turn by saying that it was hard for him to concentrate in the presence of a beautiful woman. I have heard many of their stories about families in France, New York, Texas, California, and even Nigeria. I have gotten lessons in Mandarin and Taiwanese. When one tried to say “bonjour” in an impromptu French lesson, I told him, “hao bang a!” and we both laughed because of our reversed roles. Another time, I had a driver make a U-turn, just to bring me back a little plastic bag of books. One complimented my mother by saying she looked as if she were my older sister and talked to me about how great it was for me to be in Taiwan helping to educate people about race and showing them that color doesn’t make the person. Actually, that was my most favorite taxi ride, with him and my mother. When I took my cat in to the vet to have him neutered after he turned 3 months, and was in tears about leaving him to be cut up, the taxi driver waited outside for me and had a tissue and a cold bottle of water (duo he shui, sealed) that he picked up at a nearby convenience store for me. I only wish I would have kept up a journal of taxi drivers and their license plate numbers. I think it would make a nice book. I cannot begin to list all of the nice taxi drivers I have encountered…these just happen to be the ones who really stood out to me.
[quote=“kategelan”][quote=“hoedad”]In defense of the hardworking taxi drivers in Taiwan, I’d like to say, yes, they often drive like bike messengers, but most of them are professional drivers and much less likely to hit you than the idiot driving the Volvo.
[/quote]
Hmmm… I haven’t been hit by a Volvo driver but I have been hit by a taxi twice… not the same taxi, I believe!
I’m sticking with the line that these guys (and gals) are usually charming and kind to customers but generally couldn’t give a s$%t for other road users.[/quote]
My guess is that they used to own a Volvo but lost it to failed investments and are now some of the few unprofessional taxi drivers on the road, with a chip on their shoulders to boot.
I thought it was a published fact that volvo drivers are to be steered clear of?! In fact theres a phrase we used to say back in Oz - “BLOODY VOLVO DRIVERS!”
I dunno if this fits, but here goes. I was in Alishan and I had missed the train to Chiayi. So the hotel manager helped me hitch with a truck driver from the mainland. We agreed on a price of 300 NT and got down the mountain in 1.5 hours (yes, it was terrifying, thanks for asking ). When we arrived in Chiayi, the guy didn’t accept any of my money, which was nice, seeing as how he was obviously on the clock ; besides, who knows how far out of his way he was?
In the “not sure if it counts” category (I am completely mortified of being banned for being stewpid), my first time in Taipei, 2 weeks off the boat and living in Science Park, we go into a bank on what would have had to have been Hsing Hseng Nan Lu and Renai, asking for directions to the MRT. After much cackling on behalf of 9 (yes 9) bank employees trying vainly to speak English, this one guy, kinda sidling off to the left of the hen party, sporting a a certain ‘ask me’ confidence, chimes in and gives us the turn right at ChungXiao data we so touristly needed and off we go. We cross the street, walk a block and a half and hear a horn tooting insistently and proximal enough to be possible directed right at us. Sure enough, its buddy from the bank. He has gone and gotten his car, out of what I am sure is pretty expensive parking, and come to give us a lift the what, 2 blocks(?) to Fuxing…
That was nice…and my first experience of Taipei hospitality…seriously, come to think of it…its the first time I tried to communicate on my own. Our school had us pretty penned up, u know, veal-like.
Taiwan Taxi - 21926688. Their drivers are dressed in black sweater vests and ties. Very professional. They’re always parked in front of Far East Plaza Hotel.
). When we arrived in Chiayi, the guy didn’t accept any of my money, which was nice, seeing as how he was obviously on the clock ; besides, who knows how far out of his way he was?
After much cackling on behalf of 9 (yes 9) bank employees trying vainly to speak English, this one guy, kinda sidling off to the left of the hen party, sporting a a certain ‘ask me’ confidence, chimes in and gives us the turn right at ChungXiao data we so touristly needed and off we go. We cross the street, walk a block and a half and hear a horn tooting insistently and proximal enough to be possible directed right at us. Sure enough, its buddy from the bank. He has gone and gotten his car, out of what I am sure is pretty expensive parking, and come to give us a lift the what, 2 blocks(?) to Fuxing…