All of us have experienced taxi ridewhich turned into an unforgettable experience. Whether we encountered an overly friendly passenger, an informant or the navigator from hell, these moments will remain in our memories. In this article, we take a look at 10 types of taxi passengers we may encounter in a taxi.
Table of Contents
Type 1: Silent radio
This type of passenger acts as if the taxi is his personal temple of silence. He doesn't even blink from the moment he gets in to the moment he gets out.
Characteristics
Silent radio does not use common courtesy phrases such as "Hello", "Thank you" or "Goodbye". To the driver, the passenger is like a ghost that doesn't even breathe. This type of passenger does not want conversation and prefers silence throughout the journey.
Taxi Drivers Experience
Paradoxically, drivers often like this type of passenger because it gives them peace of mind while driving. "It's one of those moments when we can enjoy our own thoughts," many drivers remark. Silent passengers make driving less challenging, as there is no conversation or requests for music playlists or navigation instructions.
Type 2: Navigator from Hell
The Navigator from Hell brings challenging experiences to our taxis. This kind of passenger really knows how to change a quiet day as a taxi driver.
Characteristics
Here we have the opposite extreme - this person is like a human GPS. Although he sits in the back, he feels that he is the main driver. "Do you know this abbreviation? Go right... And actually, no, I'd rather go left." The cab driver tries to suppress thoughts of dropping him off in the middle of the intersection and letting him drive on his own.
This type of passenger often criticises the driver's every choice when his instructions are not followed, because he thinks he knows better.
Type 3: Tiny backpack, big purchase
Some travelers have a knack for minimalism until it comes to shopping. They pretend to have only a small backpack, but in reality they reveal a huge purchase that they desperately need to transport.
Characteristics
This type of passenger starts with assuring the driver that he or she has only a "small backpack" with them. However, he then turns up with huge shopping bags from Kaufland. By the time he loads everything into the car, the car is a small warehouse. "It'll fit in there, Mr. Driver, don't worry," he says with a smile. The driver is already considering turning into a mover instead of a chauffeur.
Type 4: Professional telephonist
These passengers start the conversation as soon as the door is opened and talk on the phone throughout the journey. Often we feel that we are part of their private conversation.
Characteristics
A professional telephone operator acts as if riding in a taxi is the perfect opportunity to deal with all of life's situations over the phone. From the moment they get in the car, they update us on what they cooked for dinner, why they had a fight with their partner, and what problems they're having at work. By the time we reach our destination, we are already privy to all their secrets, among other things.
Taxi Drivers Experience
We've had some amazing stories because of these telephone operators. Sometimes they surprise us with their plans and other times they inspire us with their ideas. At times, however, we have felt like unpaid therapists listening to their problems and dramatic life events. This type of passenger reminds us that riding in a taxi can be an extraordinary experience full of information we didn't even ask for.
Type 5: Sleeper
Characteristics
This passenger gets into a taxi and is asleep within three seconds. It doesn't matter whether the journey takes five minutes or half an hour, the sleeper is uncompromisingly out of it. Most of the time, they accompany us on our journeys to nightclubs. With this type of passenger in a taxi, amusing stories of drivers come to life, from a broken nose during hard braking, to waking up in shock and disorientation asking "Where am I?!" Sleepers often wake up more than once during the ride, imagine the frightened expression when a passenger asks you "Where are you taking me and where am I?" even 5 times in one ride.
Type 6: He doesn't know where he's going
Sometimes we come across a passenger who has absolutely no idea where they want to go. This type can unexpectedly prolong the journey and complicate it considerably.
Characteristics
This passenger does not know where he is going. Literally. He doesn't even know where he's going, so he'll tell you something like: "I think it was somewhere near that big building... or maybe not... probably more like behind that restaurant." The cab driver drives through town, hoping it doesn't take him all the way to a neighboring county.
Taxi Drivers Experience
Taxi drivers often experience curious situations with this type of passenger. For example, crossing the same streets several times in a row. Sometimes these passengers lead us to a dead end, literally and figuratively, and their ignorance can lead to interesting and unexpected situations.
Taxi drivers have to be very patient and able to improvise in order to manage these rides.
Type 7: Too friendly
This type of traveller can be extremely sociable and often tries to strike up a conversation from the very first moment.
Characteristics
An overly friendly passenger tends to be open and relaxed. Usually smiling, always ready for small talk. He expects the taxi driver to be equally communicative. Such a passenger often asks personal questions, is interested in the work, life and all the incidents of the taxi driver. Although some may find this type pleasant, others may find his approach a little intrusive.
Type 8: Outwardly Skúpy, Inwardly Generous
This type of passenger seems like a cheapskate at first glance, but surprises you with a generous tip when you get out of the taxi.
Characteristics
"Passengers Outwardly Scoopy, Inwardly Generous" has a quiet and reserved speech throughout the ride. He doesn't communicate much, doesn't share personal stories and often doesn't even notice the driver. His interest in the ride seems minimal. He's the kind of person we automatically assume doesn't plan to tip, but ends up pleasantly surprising us.
Taxi Drivers Experience
Easily the favourite passenger of all taxi drivers.
Type 9: Panicky Swordsman
Characteristics
The Panicky Teddy Bear is the type of passenger who feels extreme stress at every red light. He is constantly checking the time and worries about missing a flight or meeting, even if he still has an hour and a half to spare. He often thinks that because he is "late" the driver is obliged to cross all traffic restrictions and fly through the traffic jam like an airplane.
Taxi Drivers Experience
Taxi drivers often mention that the Panic Maniac is one of the most stressful types of passengers. He constantly demands a faster ride and criticizes every stop.
Type 10: No principles of good behaviour
This passenger, judging by its name, carries many problems and risks.
Characteristics
An irresponsible passenger is a risk to everyone in the car. This passenger often fails to observe basic rules of courtesy and safety. He or she opens the windows regardless of the weather, shouts out of the car, fails to wear a seatbelt, demands a stop at the gas station and sometimes even tries to smoke in the car.
Taxi Drivers Experience
Taxi drivers have a lot of trouble with these passengers. Sometimes unpaid rides, damaged interiors and conflicts. With several such passengers, it has culminated in police intervention.
Bonus tip at the end: pump diver
This passenger is the arch enemy of all taxi drivers. It usually stretches from a 5-minute ride to 30 minutes. On a route that doesn't happen to go past any gas stations, he asks in all seriousness, "Would you be able to stop at a gas station for me during my trip? I just need to buy cigarettes".
After this question, every taxi driver has a moment of dismay and wondering what to do with this passenger. To refuse may mean an unexpected conflict, but if he gives in, he knows that for the next half hour he will have a passenger on his hands who "only" needs cigarettes. Of course, the traditional pump hotdog, coffee, and other snacks are usually thrown in at this stop as well. And since few people understand the need to pay extra for this special service, the taxi driver is already mentally preparing himself for the inevitable discussion of extra charges that the passenger can't understand.
Summary
Each ride is unique and brings with it new opportunities to enrich our experience. Let's be prepared for whatever the roads bring and enjoy the diversity of passengers that make every ride memorable.