When you call taxi, you never know in advance what kind of ride awaits you. Each driver has their own style and approach to the job, which can either make your journey comfortable and enjoyable, or surprise you with unexpected situations. Some drivers are all about comfort and quiet, others are full of energy and joie de vivre.
In this article, we look at five types of taxi drivers you may encounter. You might remember similar experiences you've had, or you might just be amused by the variety of personalities you can meet behind the wheel.
Types of Taxi Drivers
1. Without air conditioning
Imagine you're waiting for your taxi on a hot summer's day and a car arrives that looks like a sauna on wheels. The sweaty driver explains with a smile that the air conditioning has "just" broken down - what a bummer! But if you look closer, you'll see that there shouldn't even be anything wrong with the air conditioning, because the car hasn't even heard of this groundbreaking technology. Instead, it opens the windows, which does get you "fresh air", but that doesn't actually help at all. Suddenly you regret that you didn't take public transport instead.
2. Rear-view mirror controller
This driver spends more time watching his passenger in the back than the actual road ahead. Every time he raises his eyes to the rear-view mirror, you get the feeling that he's watching you for a little longer than necessary. Instead of checking for traffic, he's focused on what you're doing to see if there's anything going on in the back seat. This can be annoying for the passenger, especially if glances meet too often, and you just hope the driver doesn't forget that the road should be his top priority. You feel like a prisoner being escorted by a guard, hoping that the ride will soon be over.
3. 2 minutes later I'm there
This type of driver has a universal answer to the question of when they will arrive, "I'll be there in 2 minutes." He'll say it with complete calm, even if he's just on the other side of town. Regardless of the reality, his guess never fails - it's always that magic two minutes, but it can turn into fifteen or more. And even if you see that he hasn't even set off yet, you still get the feeling that he's trying to keep you in a good mood with this optimistic time figure. But the truth is that two minutes in his world means something completely different than in yours.
4. Rockstar
This type of driver enjoys his driving like a concert. The music is on full blast, and it doesn't matter if it's day or night - he turns the car into his own little club. Some passengers see this as a fun bonus to the journey, but others would rather have peace and quiet. This driver is often energetic and positive, sometimes too much so, and creates an atmosphere in which music is an integral part. However, if you prefer a quieter environment, you may have to kick him in the seat to keep the music down, which he may not always take kindly to.
5. Silent driver
This driver is the complete opposite of all rockstar drivers. In his car you feel as if you have entered the Temple of the Mother of God - absolute silence, no music, no unnecessary talk. Everything takes place in a calm, almost sacred atmosphere. The driver asks no questions, does not force conversation and respects your privacy. The journey is smooth, with no unnecessary noises or disturbances, and you can enjoy a peace you wouldn't find in a regular taxi. For people who prefer peace and quiet, this is the ideal choice.
6. Newbie (Bonus Type):
This newcomer to the world of taxi drivers clearly didn't understand exactly what his job entailed. Taxi drivers are supposed to take people where they need to go. Key word: where they need. We'd still understand if we were heading to some lesser known spot on the outskirts of town. But when a newcomer starts to hitchhike their way to familiar locales, such as the main station or downtown, you start to get the feeling that you're on an adventurous quest. Driving with him often feels like a series of unexpected detours, confused glances at the satnav and even phone calls trying to figure out where to actually go. The result is sometimes quick, abrupt turns and nervous honking from other drivers. By the end of the journey, you feel like you need to rest for a while - and the driver probably needs to study the city map better.