Comments on: Why Did This Cabbie Have to Stop for Me?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:27:34 +0000

Ya know what? I never would have noticed the rate difference, mainly because I don’t take cabs all that often, and I never knew this was a potential pitfall. My eyes are now open.

Isn’t it amazing how people act when they try to cheat you and get caught in the act? I’da still called the cops ’cause the next person he picked up probably got the same treatment and a worse attitude.

Anybody wanna bet how many of the millions of folks coming to town in two weeks will suffer the same fate? I’m guessing the rate will be through the roof.

I have no doubt that a number of drivers will try this scam on the tourists and Obamaniacs who will be visiting soon. I did call the DC Cab Commission to report this particular driver.

By: f.B

f.B — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:12:04 +0000

you made your mistakes here: “the overwhelming majority;” and here: “of taxi cab drivers;” here: “in DC;” and finally, here: “are good people.”

your fleeting line was easily the words of a surprised-to-be-imprisoned-in-a-taxi prisoner. but as to the rest, you performed splendidly. i can’t promise i’d have realized how awesome it would be to be able to tell this story (and in so doing, lived it). but in hindsight of your experience, i would have called the cops myself, while sitting in the car.

f.B., really it is ok to think the glass is half full.

By: freckledk

freckledk — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:12:53 +0000

You sound just like me – if you remove the “sir” bit and add an abundance of profanities.

Oddly, when I get really angry I curse much less.

By: Sara

Sara — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:35:48 +0000

“Sir, I may not know the usual fare between the White House and the Kennedy Center, but let there be no doubt that I know the fare from my bars to my bed.” – Best line ever. I hope you won’t hate me if I drop this into conversation 8-10 times today.

…And it can have so many uses for a woman

By: Vittoria

Vittoria — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:12:30 +0000

Two things strike me in this:
1. You got a free ride! Yay!
2. My post tomorrow morning will be about the BEST CAB RIDE EVER. Which happened in Virginia on Friday night.
In any case, I’m super impressed with the way you handled yourself.

Yes, your cab ride was the best ever.

By: Fearless

Fearless — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:28:08 +0000

I had plenty of strange cab incidents in my previous life (working until the middle of the night) but never one as confrontational as what you described. I’m glad that nothing more came of it.

I’ve heard the cabbies are more docile up north.

By: Essentially Me

Essentially Me — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:11:45 +0000

What a way to start of the year. I think it’s awesome that you did that, by the way. I probably would’ve just sucked it up and paid for it while silently fuming. But then again, I am a girl.

Well, I didn’t just fume and argue – I also reported him to the Cab Commission, not that I expect them to do anything.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:23:37 +0000

Sometimes people just provoke you to the point where you say things that you otherwise wouldn’t – and I feel like a lot of those times are in DC cabs. I wouldn’t want to drive a cab, and I’m glad people do, but there are a tremendous number of assholes driving cabs here.

I truly believe that the assholes are far outnumbered by the really good ones.

By: Arjewtino

Arjewtino — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:03:58 +0000

I have had many arguments with cab drivers about their nefarious and seemingly arbitrary pricing system. I have been proud of some of these arguments and ashamed of others.

I think you handled yourself perfectly. I’ll probably print out this blog post, laminate it, and use it the next time a cabbie tries to screw me over.

That’s what seems to happen with greater frequency when we catch cabs after drinks – I may have killed some brain cells but not that many.