Taxi driver shouted at me - was I in the wrong?

[shouldnthavesaid]

Had an emergency GP appointment this morning for chronic ongoing pelvic pain. GP was very dismissive, said no chance of seeing a gynaecologist until I lose weight , despite having seen them regularly since I was 16 - she said to take codeine and put up with it.

I am very, very sore so got in a taxi outside surgery. Its less than 10 minutes walk home but I am exhausted having been up all night and dizzy with painkillers.

Taxi driver shouted at me when I asked if he could take card payment as I'd run out of cash and said I must be joking him. I suggested maybe it was best I just walked and he shouted that I certainly wasnt doing that as he'd been stuck half hour in a queue.

I feel so stupid but ended up shaking and in floods of tears. I'm supposed to be going out in 20 minutes and can't calm down.

Was I in the wrong, what should I have done better?

[ConciseandNice]

You didn't do anything wrong. I am sorry that not only are you feeling so physically awful, but that a mean taxi driver made it worse. He was having a bad day and took it out on you. I'm sorry.

[Sofabitch]

I didnt think taxis take card?

But he shouldn't have shouted at you.

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

Oh god was it a black cab? They can be proper shitty about having to take card payments now.

[MrsSkeletor]

Ignore him. I'm disabled and taxi drivers can often be horrible about short fares. It is not your fault if you need a short ride, and I refuse to be made to feel bad about it. Be careful to always carry cash though - many drivers don't have card facilities so might require you to stop at a cash point to collect money to pay.

[shouldnthavesaid]

They all say on the outside that they do, I thought it would be OK as they still get the money. I think maybe it was because of the short distance he wouldn't get much money. I feel so stupid.

[MrsEricBana]

Oh poor you. I haven't taken a taxi in ages so no idea if they had to take cards but all he had to say was no sorry but I can stop at a cash point. He was very rude. If you are really in pain do go and see another GP. Hope you feel better soon.

[mamanw3]

That's awful, I'd be shaky and in tears too. Next time get uber? Always paid by card no money exchange in the car. Try to shake it off and just forget what happened even though it seems difficult xxx

[Osolea]

He shouldn't have shouted at you, but if he had to wait a long time to get a job then he was probably frustrated that not only was it such a short journey that would earn him very little, but that he'd have to pay a card transaction fee for it as well. I think they have to pay a pound or two for every card payment they take, so having the card facility doesn't always work out for the, even though they like to be able to offer it to customers for bigger payments.

You did nothing wrong, but it might just be worth bearing in mind that it's best to have cash for short taxi journeys. I hope you feel better soon.

[jaseyraex]

I always pay by card in taxis. Never had any of them have an issue with it! I very very rarely carry cash. He was proper shitty to you for no reason, you were definitely not in the wrong. Perhaps maybe assume he has had a bad day himself and wrongly took it out on you

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

They do often take card now, unless you live rurally; but the etiquette is only for fares over £10.

He was still a knob. Please don’t worry.

[ChessieFL]

Did you ask about paying by card when you got in the taxi, or only when you arrived at your destination? If it was the latter, it might have been better to check when you got in. If what those above are saying is right about how much money they get, I can understand taxi driver being a bit annoyed if he didn't realise it was a card payment - had you checked when you got in he could have explained the implications and potentially stopped at a cash machine. Having said that, he still should not have shouted at you, especially if he advertises that card payments are accepted! Especially knowing he picked you up from the doctors so knew you were ill. I would complain about his attitude.

[Sayyouwill]

I exclusively pay by card for taxi.
I don't carry cash. Ever. Not for any reason other than there are no cash machines where I work or within walking distance to where I live.
I always get an eye roll when I say I'm paying by card. You're supposed to tell then in advance as they sometimes have to phone it in or alter the fare as there is often a charge for using your card and the taxi driver can't pocket the money

[Glumglowworm]

I've never heard of card taking taxis but if it's an advertised service that they offer than yanbu to want to use that service!

It's probably frustrating that he only has a short fare yes. But we all have things about our job that we don't like. it's no excuse for shouting at anyone!

He was being very unreasonable to shout at you, you did nothing wrong

[PianoThirty]

taxi drivers can often be horrible about short fares

This. I can understand their frustation. They've queued for half an hour in the taxi rank, they'd rather get a £30 fare to the airport than a £6 fare for a few minutes away. But that's the system: they shouldn't take it out on their customers.

[PoisonousSmurf]

Taxi drivers are rude full stop. I live out in the sticks and they won't come out unless I pay the 'fare' for them to even get to me!
So a 5 mile trip can end up costing over £30 as they have to drive 10 miles to get to my place!

[SolemnlySwear2010]

99% of taxis where i live take card payments now.

I was 'told off' for using card by an ex taxi driver - apparently they hate it as people then don't tip/round up.

[LottieDoubtie]

You weren't in the wrong at all OP. Doesn't matter if the driver would 'prefer' cash if he advertises that he takes cards he should.

And even if he didnt take cards there was no reason for him to rude to you.

[shouldnthavesaid]

They usually charge a surcharge when I'm at home (Aberdeen) to cover it so thought be the same here. I've calmed down a bit and heading out ad planned - phoned my mum abd howled at her for ten minutes . I'm suspected ASD so that makes everything much harder! Hopefully I just look like I have a dreadful cold rather than anything else . Thank you

[PetitFilous123]

think it's probably because they have to pay a fee for the card transaction, so if it was just for a few quid he was probably feeling a bit irritable.

Hope you feel better soon

[carameldecaflatte]

Forget that nasty taxi driver. More importantly, get a new GP. Chronic pain is not a punishment for being overweight. You need to be helped. In fact I would put in a complaint.

I hope you feel better soon

[Mummyoflittledragon]

So only thin people get to see a gynaecologist. That’s disgusting. Get a second opinion.

[5rivers7hills]

London black cab?

They are meant to take cards but loads say the machine is broken or get proper shitty with you... report to TfL

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

They do often take card now, unless you live rurally; but the etiquette is only for fares over £10

No it’s not. It’s a preference of some drivers and some customers but it certainly isn’t ‘the etiquette’