Super Mario Taxi Driver
I seem to have a lot of stories about taxi drivers… perhaps I catch them too often.
Anyway, today I had Mario as my taxi driver (Thai guy with big Mario-style moustache – I was instantly thinking “It’s-a-me Mario!”) who was very conversational and friendly.
Right before he picked me up I had seen that someone else had flagged him down but he had said no to them, which is his decision of course, but I found out the reason was because there were going to be eight passengers that would squeeze into the taxi (probably uni students).
While this might sound unusual, it’s actually quite common, although eight does seem a little more than I would think a taxi could hold, and I’ve even done it myself with some colleagues – except there were five of us that time.
The conversation eventually got around to where it normally does when I’m talking to a Thai person who doesn’t really know me – having/getting a Thai wife. According to Mario, I need one. I’m young (and some other reasons I couldn’t quite determine) so I need a Thai wife.
Normally in these kinds of situations I would set the record straight with a ‘Sorry but I’m not into the whole women thing’ but since it was just a short taxi trip, I remained quiet.
It really is nice to have a talkative taxi driver sometimes, even if they all do tend to ask the same questions. What would have otherwise been a boring, dreary day at work because I stayed up late/early watching Red vs Blue (courtesy of Him), is now looking much better and livelier thanks to Mario.
That was nice of Mario to perk up the drive with a lively chat. I always get taxi drivers who try to speak Japanese with me. It’s always Konnichiwa this, Konnichiwa that. :X
8 in a taxi isn’t as bad as 5 on a motorcycle…which i saw a few times during my last visit to thailand
The number one topic between me and taxi drivers in Bangkok for the past few years: “Has the underground construction finished?”
I guess I’ll have to think of something else now.
“have they started the BTS / Undergound extensions yet?” :) That’ll do…
I do try to talk the ears off my customers too, glad your driver got yours off.
Do you try and talk to them endlessly even when you are quite aware that you don’t speak the same language? Those are my favourite Thai Taxi Drivers. After ten minutes of chatter, I manage to hear 5 words and some numbers. Smile… smile… soon be there…
The worst taxi drivers are in Kuala Lumpur. I thought they just tried to rip off all the non-Malaysians, but they my friend from KL assured me they try and rip everyone off. I felt better, slightly.
Language can be a problem. I once drove a Japanese gentleman from San Jose to San Francisco. I couldn’t quite make out just where he wanted to be let out. A lot of pointings later he motioned me to pull over. He got out, paid me, took his very large suitcase and began to climb some very steep steps. He would stop every few steps, and turn and bow to me. I hope he was found. Another time a Frenchman was looking for a large hotel. Turned out to be the Los Gatos Lodge. Lodge not large!