Taxi Adventures

Somehow, my previous posting did not get published. Hope this won't turn out to be a double-post! This is not a grumpy post. Rather, it's quite funny, though it is potentially worrying at the same time.

A kind colleague who drives alighted me near my place after work today. Thank God that I am spared the enduring wait of public (and crowded) buses. I proceeded to take a taxi from my alighting point but no taxis stopped. I “detoured” for 20 minutes to buy some essentials at the mall. Still, when I returned to the mall taxi stand, the queue was still equally long. I decided to wait, since my earlier wait elsewhere was fruitless.

When my turn finally came, I was thankfully pleased that this driver was very polite, friendly and spoke good English (easier to communicate). Again, I was mistaken as a Korean, if not, Japanese. Hmm… that means I am still pretty fair in complexion after almost 6 months in Dubai…

5 minutes into the journey, the first adventure occurred. A sudden hit! I thought the taxi was hit at the side by oncoming vehicles (the driver was turning out from a small road). Or did it hit the curb? The driver excused himself and exited the vehicle to inspect his damage. It was only when I turned around then I realised we were hit at the back by another car.

Oh… Why am I so “lucky”? I thought my journey would be even further delayed.

It was not so, thank God. Though the taxi driver did not manage to get any compensation (the other party refused to pay, he said), he proudly declared that his taxi was still in good condition, unlike the other driver’s car.

So, the journey continued. Only a few minutes of interruption.

I am thankful that this driver has a good temperament. I told him that it would be wonderful if most taxi drivers here are like him, since I had encountered quite a number of rude drivers. He agreed and added that he had learnt about customer service back in his country of origin.

Good – I thought.

In Dubai, it is common that taxi drivers asked questions, like where you come from, etc. I do likewise, in order to be build rapport and communication, so that I can give directions easier.

Towards the end of the journey, this driver asked me a common question: Is my family also here? I replied yes. I can’t believe what he said next! He actually said that if I were single, he “would not let me go”. Good grief!! My heart almost stopped. Was I hearing things???

The last gesture confirmed that I was not hallucinating. (No, I wasn’t molested – just in case your mind drifted). When I arrived at the villa and was due to pay the fare, I deliberately asked the driver to turn on the lights so that I can see my notes clearly. How else can I stop him from asking or saying crazy stuff?!

As I was short of smaller change, I told him to return me just 10 dirhams and keep the balance 4 dirhams. It is not uncommon here to leave the change for taxi drivers. My reason to let this driver keep the change was not just to quickly “get away” but I genuinely felt he deserved the “tips” since the journey was overall pleasant (minus the car bump and his unexpected expressions towards the end). The driver expressed his thanks for the tips. However, I tried really hard to suppress my laughter when he kissed the 10 dirhams note and gave me a big grin as he returned me the note.

What am I to make sense of that? Tell me! Hubby said I should sue him.