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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:

Original poster

donetodeath · 17/08/2018 19:23

For me it’s not about how I view taxi drivers it’s more just the etiquette and I have no idea what the correct way is!!

Like a pp I think I would feel like I was invading their space if I were to sit in the front but like I said I automatically sat in the back then questioned myself as we were driving up the road as I was gazing out the windows!

No black cabs around here in the sticks!

OP posts:

Openup41 · 17/08/2018 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request.

SoleBizzz · 17/08/2018 19:29

Always the back seat.

meadowmeow · 17/08/2018 19:39

For me it’s not about how I view taxi drivers it’s more just the etiquette and I have no idea what the correct way is!!

I know. Some of the comments though of the way people view taxi drivers is really sad. It seems people get in a taxi with the idea that being attacked is a huge possibility.

TwoBlueShoes · 18/08/2018 09:14

It's nothing against taxi drivers. Sometimes if there are a few of us and I have to sit in the front, the taxi driver has put stuff on the passenger seat or they have their personal stuff in the front. I only sit in the front if there is no other choice.

Themerrygoroundoflife · 18/08/2018 09:21

I get taxis a lot and have never sat in the front. I think a taxi driver would be a bit surprised if I jumped in the front.

LassWiADelicateAir · 18/08/2018 09:25

Always in the back. Taxis in my home city are black cabs so a passenger would never sit in the front but if it wasn't a black cab I'd still take the back seat.

There are private hire firms here but I would not book them. Sometimes if you ask a restaurant to call a taxi it is a private hire car. If there is a group of people someone will probably have to take the passenger seat. If i was on my own, I'd take the back seat.

Boglin · 18/08/2018 09:32

I don't use taxis very often these days but if I'm taking one on my own I always get in the front on account of the potential child-lock aspect of the back seats. I'd rather take my chances of being grabbed and being able to open a door and roll/jump/fall out than being trapped in the back of the vehicle. I also always chat to the driver, I've had some great conversations with taxi drivers and learnt some interesting stuff! On the rare occasions I get taxis now I prefer an Uber as I can send a link to DH to show exactly where in the journey I am and all the driver/car details.

UpstartCrow · 18/08/2018 09:35

I have friends who are taxi drivers and they prefer a single customer to sit in the back.

pinktrousers5 · 18/08/2018 09:43

I have friends who are taxi drivers and they prefer a single customer to sit in the back.

That's interesting. How many friends did you ask?

I know hundreds of taxi drivers, What with being one myself, and the majority don't give a shit where people sit, our priority is making sure we get paid.

Before a single traveller gets in if they are at my side of the car I will open the window and ask if they want to sit upfront. If they approach from the other side i actually lean over and open the front door. I much prefer my pax upfront, it's easier to talk that way.

I think the back seat thing stems from black cans who have no front seat, but there are so many different vehicles with hackney licenses these days, if it has a front seat it is designed to be used.

pinktrousers5 · 18/08/2018 09:48

Lots of firms now have apps btw, you don't have to use Uber. They have ruined the taxi trade in many cities.

brieandcrackers · 18/08/2018 09:51

I usually sit in the back on the left side so I'm diagonal to the driver. Easy enough to chat and it's also where I sat as a child in the car and I just do it by habit now!

paintedwingsandgiantrings · 18/08/2018 09:53

Always in the front.

ScreamingValenta · 18/08/2018 09:53

My sister's DP used to be a taxi driver - I will ask him what he preferred the next time I phone my sister. I'm interested now.

As an aside, my local firm sends a text with the model and reg of the car you're getting, which is reassuring as you know you're getting into a genuine taxi.

UpstartCrow · 18/08/2018 09:54

I didn't do a survey. We were just chatting one evening, after one of them was robbed

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