Comments on: How to Hail a Taxi Cab…Like a Man!

By: tony

tony — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:17:53 +0000

A guaranteed method is to take along an empty carry on bag. The cabbie thinks you’re going to the airport, which guarantees a return fare, and will stop every time.

By: Brent Lightfoot

Brent Lightfoot — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:47:37 +0000

If you are ever in Singapore you should refer to the driver as “Taxi Uncle” or merely “Uncle” if the man seems to be older than yourself. This will also be true in food stalls and walking on the street. Older women are also referred to as “Auntie”

By: Naim

Naim — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:18:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

What about the seat you should take?
Next to the driver or in the back?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:05:09 +0000

If you’re with your lady, offer to enter first — in case she doesn’t want to slide across the seat. This counterintuitive protocol applies to revolving doors as well.

By: Dean Gadda

Dean Gadda — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:04:38 +0000

In Tokyo:
1. Sit in the back seat! If not already full, jumping in the front with the driver is both uncomfortable and wierd.
2. The back door opens automatically. It will close automatically. Don’t touch it! Pulling the door shut will damage the automatic mechanism and piss off the driver.
3. Do not tip. Not necessary, not done, embarasses driver, makes you look like a dope.
4. Unless you speak Japanese have your target address written (in Japanese if possible) and hand it to the driver. Fortunately, all cabs have sophisticated GPS systems now making life much easier for all.
5. Let the driver handle the luggage.

By: BonzoGal

BonzoGal — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:57:27 +0000

My husband can do a two-fingers-in-the-mouth whistle that will bust your eardrums. He uses it to gets taxis in the San Francisco area all the time. Cabs will stop and do u-turns when they hear that whistle, I’m tellin’ ya.

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:25:51 +0000

Hailing a cab with your hand up in a “C” shape indicates you are taking a short trip, the most profitable kind for a cabbie. This may help you attract a cab faster than that jerk who just cut in front of you half a block down.

By: Yorkshire Lad

Yorkshire Lad — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 09:57:26 +0000

An interesting article, and certainly some of the points apply over here in the UK too. Specifically:
1) ALWAYS look out for taxi licence plates. These are to be found on the front *and* rear of the taxi, giving a number and usually the local authority’s logo (sometimes a coat of arms). If a taxi doesn’t feature these, AVOID!
2) It’s best to stand in such a way that sets you apart from other people on the pavement. This usually means finding a place relatively free of other people, and having an arm in the air, waving slightly when a taxi comes into view.
3) NEVER shout “Taxi!!” – this will get you a stare down from passing cabbies, and no transport. However, a *friendly* shout of “Hello!” with your wave as a taxi comes into view is generally acceptable, especially when accompanied by a smile.

Otherwise, here are a few other tips I’ve gleaned from sporradic use of taxis here:
- NEVER give the exact address (departing or arriving) – this is for your safety! Although 99.9% of taxi operators are legitimate business people, there are some that will try to part you from your home/belongings, and also keep track of where you’re going! As such, if prebooking a taxi, get them to pick you up at the end of the street and not where you’re staying. Also tell them you want dropping off at the end of the street you’re going to, or at least 500yds away, so they don’t know exactly where you’re going.
- Black taxis (the typical “Hackney Carriage” seen on films) are only to be found in town/city centres, although they *can* take you to the suburbs. Oddly, I’ve found this to be cheaper than taking a Private Hire taxi sometimes…?
- Black taxi drivers are typically friendly folk, so treat them as such. If you’re wanting to get somewhere that you’re not sure of, state that on entry, and see if they know where it is. Sometimes they might not know, and will need to refer to an AtoZ atlas, which costs you money on the fare.
- Private Hire taxis cannot be hailed, so don’t try! They can be differentiated by the fact that they can be any vehicle, any colour, and have their company’s name and telephone number on door stickers. Fares are attracted either by going to a taxi rank and booking at the time of travel, or by telephoning in advance. The latter is the preferred method, as the operator will be able to tell you immediately if they’ll have a vehicle available or not.
-ONLY tip when absolutely necessary. Most cabbies get paid a fair wage, and think that large tips for what is essentially their normal duty a smack in the face. Use common sense (e.g. small local journey = couple of £ tip, long cross-city journey maybe £5-10).

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:40:00 +0000

Native New Yorkers don’t take cabs. You walked three miles to Katz’s for a reason…we have good food here and in order to enjoy it you have to walk. Otherwise you will be overweight in a hurry.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:43:05 +0000

As a twelve year resident of NYC, I must disagree with two points. First, street corners are actually not the best place to get a cab because other people are also there hailing a cab. The sneaky and effective way is to stand between parked cars between traffic lights. Cabs will stop for the first hand they see and you’ll cut off the good folks waiting on their street corner. Of course, if it’s a pretty girl hailing, you can get the cab for her. That’s actually a way to meet one, especially a tourist.

Secondly, yelling “taxi” is often the only way to get a cab’s attention and is perfectly okay, especially a cab headed in the opposite direction.

I will add that giving cross streets (to 77th and 3rd) is better than giving addresses.

But really, take the subway before midnight if you’re alone and not in a hurry. I work on Wall Street and take the subway everyday. I reserve cabs for dates or late night returns home!