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Original poster

Where do you sit in a taxi?

65 replies

donetodeath · 17/08/2018 12:59

I’ve jst been to Tesco, as a rare treat I went minus children, I don’t drive so I got a taxi home and automatically got in the back as that was what my mum always did when I was younger, as I’m sat in the back on the way home it occurred to me that I probably look like a massive twat, as if I think I’m in a chauffeur driven limo as opposed to a silver Yaris!
Normally if I’m in a taxi there would be a couple of people so it’s never occurred to me before so am I a twat for sitting in the back on my own, where would you sit if you were on your own?

OP posts:

TwoBlueShoes · 17/08/2018 15:10

Always in the back. I would feel like I was invading the taxi drivers space sitting in the front.

DN4GeekinDerby · 17/08/2018 15:38

Always in the back. I use taxis regularly and I would never think to do otherwise. To me, it's like standing right by the bus driver - maybe if it was really full or I was struggling but it's not where I'd think to be otherwise, but I know some who prefer to be right up front chatting away. Not my thing, but fine for others.

Also, with shopping bags, they often fall over while travelling and I sometimes sort through my own bags which I think would be rather annoying to a driver. I try to be as non-obtrusive as I possible can.

ChipsAndKetchup · 17/08/2018 16:05

@soupforbrains because in case the driver is a filthy perv. They can't see you in the mirror if you are behind them. Plus it's less easy for them to grab you. And easier for you to escape or inflict pain onto them!! I used this while travelling many years ago and it felt much safer.

I'm not suggesting taxi drivers are all rapists but personal safety is so important. Just in case.

Pavlova31 · 17/08/2018 16:20

Yes always in the back and behind the Driver.

AvoidingDM · 17/08/2018 16:26

Always in the back. Never pay attention to which side though.

HemanOrSheRa · 17/08/2018 16:32

Oh! I always sit in the back. If we are travelling by taxi as a family, I always sit in the back with DS. However, next week I am taking DS and his friend away for a few days. I've booked a taxi to collect us at the airport and have been pondering over the fact I'm going to have to sit in the front . I do like something to worry about at all times .

ScreamingValenta · 17/08/2018 16:33

I always get in the back - I see the front as the driver's personal space.

Apologies for my ignorance, but why is it safer to sit behind the driver?

theluggageslegs · 17/08/2018 16:45

In the back, behind the driver, always.

It’s safer to sit behind the driver because it’s far more difficult for them to reach right around their seat to grab you than it is for them to reach diagonally across to the other rear seat.

politicalcorrectnessisgreat · 17/08/2018 16:47

Always the front, never considered sitting in the back. Seems rude but now think I'm in the minority!

ScreamingValenta · 17/08/2018 16:50

Ah, thank you theluggageslegs. I'll do that in future if I'm on my own in the taxi.

Pinkywoo · 17/08/2018 16:51

Always in the front, I'd feel weird in the back on my own, and also sometimes I get travel sick in the back.

whattimeislove · 17/08/2018 16:53

On my own - in the front mostly

With others - in the back with them

YouCantBeSirius · 17/08/2018 16:56

I always get in the back even if I'm traveling alone. It's become a habit because DH always gets in the front for the leg room.

Happyhippy45 · 17/08/2018 16:57

I check with the driver if it's ok to sit in the front. It's easier for me to get in and out with my crutches. Also I live in a small town and it seems to be the norm to sit in the front.
If it's a black cab or I'm in the city it's always the back.

MeanTangerine · 17/08/2018 16:59

If I'm with others, I sit on the back and chat to them. If I'm on my own, I get in the front and chat to the driver. I thought everyone did now wondering if I have been doing taxis wrong.

I'm not sure how sitting behind the driver helps. Surely they have the ability to child-lock the doors anyway? I do always WhatsApp the number of the cab to DH as soon as I get in it though.

InterstellarSleepingElla · 17/08/2018 17:05

If I'm on my own I generally sit in the front.

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 17/08/2018 17:06

If you are a woman on your own I believe it is much safer to sit in the front.
The front passenger door does not have an in-built safety feature that could mean you can't get out (child locks).

A front passenger could grab the hand break and jump out of the car. Reach the steering wheel and draw attention to the vehicle.

However, if I am with other people I chose my seat based on their physique in comparison to mine. Man? You sit in the front then - you can do everything I can but you're probably stronger.

Older woman - I will go in the front, because I can do all those things and I haven't been socialised to remain polite and doubt myself for a long time before acting.
Children - I'm in front.
Friends of same age - whoever is best to give directions sits in front.

It's sad that I've sat and thought about all this, and make this judgement call every time I get into a vehicle that someone else drives. But I do.

mollyblack · 17/08/2018 17:07

I only get black taxis so there is none of this worry, you just get i the back.

It would never cross my mind to get a private hire, they're so dodge!

umpteennamechanges · 17/08/2018 17:09

Always in the back. I only ever got in the front once and got attacked by the driver!

ThinkOfAWittyNameLater · 17/08/2018 17:10

@mollyblack totally agree with you when I'm in London

Where I live black cabs are rare

amusedbush · 17/08/2018 17:17

I always sit in the back. It would be so weird and awkward to get in the front.

I get in the back and will the driver not to talk to me

CircleofWillis · 17/08/2018 17:46

I always get in the front when on my own. It has never occurred to me to do otherwise.

The child lock thing for the back seats would bother me now that someone has pointed it out.

JellySlice · 17/08/2018 18:14

I would prefer to sit in the back. (Nothing wrong with pretending the can is a limo . I would, anyway, if it was a black cab in London.) But I generally end up in the front because I get carsick easily and it's much worse in the back.

WinterBabyIsComing · 17/08/2018 18:34

For a night out probably the back. In the day usually the front l. I have no idea why.

meadowmeow · 17/08/2018 18:54

This thread has made me feel so sad.

Is that how people really view taxi drivers?

Sit in the front and talk to the human who is just doing their job.

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