We in Singapore we like to complain about, well, just about everything, I think I want to take time out to thank an intergral part of our transport system. The ubiquitous "taxi uncle", as we call cabbies on this island.
Of course it takes an encounter with a really bad one to help me realise how good our cabbies actually are, and I had one such cause for comparision recently.
I hailed him in Yishun, and told him to take me to Woodlands - what under normal cicumstances is a 7 minute ride. This one took 20. He never went more than 40km/h at third gear, made sure all the cars at an intersection moved off before he started moving and finally asked me at least 12 times during that ride if he was to "go straight" which I already him to at the beginning.
I asked, "Are you a new cabbie?"
He said, "Yes, I have only been driving for two days."
And then volunteered, "I haven't driven a car since I got my driver's license more than 10 years ago."
!!!
So you can see why I am grateful for the majority of cabbies in Singapore who are polite, know the roads well, drive like pros and get me to my location in the prescribed amount of time.
I am extra grateful for those who engage in conversation rather than fall asleep at the wheel, share their life stories and ask for mine and considerately wait till I get into the lift before driving off to make sure my safety isn't compromised.
Taxi Uncles, you rock! Most of ya!
Showing posts with label taxi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taxi. Show all posts
Monday, August 18
Tuesday, February 5
Taxi Woes
Ok, I am just tired of hearing cabbies gripe about the recent fare hikes have rendered them fare-less, income-less and whatever the hell else-less. I get it. The fare hike means more people don't want to take taxis when buses and trains will do them fine.
But you know, I have hard days at work too. I also work up 12 hours a day, and I also feel like I am underpaid and overworked. At the end of the day, I am so tired that I feel like I can treat myself to a taxiride and the LAST THING I want to hear is how bad YOUR life is.
Forgive me if I sound churlish and you are a taxi driver and are affronted by my tirade. (Or you know a taxi driver or... I digress). But there are only so many ways a passenger can hint that they would rather just be queit and sunk into their own thoughts while still maintaining tact and being diplomatic. Please take our cues and leave us alone if we are doing any of these things:
1) Plugging in our headphones
2) Calling, smsing or generally fiddling with our phone.
3) Not making eye contact
4) Going "mm" , "ah" or "ya" to your impassioned statements of injustice
5) Not answering at all
6) Sitting back wth our eyes closed
7) Snoring
8) Reading a book or magazine or the "surcharges" sticker
9) Trying to open the door while the cab is moving
10) Writing "help me" signs and showing them to passing drivers
But you know, I have hard days at work too. I also work up 12 hours a day, and I also feel like I am underpaid and overworked. At the end of the day, I am so tired that I feel like I can treat myself to a taxiride and the LAST THING I want to hear is how bad YOUR life is.
Forgive me if I sound churlish and you are a taxi driver and are affronted by my tirade. (Or you know a taxi driver or... I digress). But there are only so many ways a passenger can hint that they would rather just be queit and sunk into their own thoughts while still maintaining tact and being diplomatic. Please take our cues and leave us alone if we are doing any of these things:
1) Plugging in our headphones
2) Calling, smsing or generally fiddling with our phone.
3) Not making eye contact
4) Going "mm" , "ah" or "ya" to your impassioned statements of injustice
5) Not answering at all
6) Sitting back wth our eyes closed
7) Snoring
8) Reading a book or magazine or the "surcharges" sticker
9) Trying to open the door while the cab is moving
10) Writing "help me" signs and showing them to passing drivers
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