Problems with taxi drivers!

[Wisteriabloom]

For various reasons, i use taxis fairly regularly, about twice a week i suppose, and much as they're always on time and reliable, I'm noticing some of the male, older drivers sometimes react badly to
me🤔

I'm flummoxed by it, so thought i'd post a few examples -

The other day, I was taxiing home from the supermarket and driver says 'What are all those bottles clanking around in my boot?' (Early Xmas presents, btw)! 'Trying to hide the taste of your bad cooking from your husband?!' He was joking, and i KNEW this, so laughed along with him, saying 'That's about right!' He turned towards me and went 'Oh for GOD's Sake i was JOKING! Christ i caught YOU on a bad day, didn't I?! Once I'd paid and taken my shopping, he was still shaking his head as he drove off!

Also recently, i had to taxi back from work as i then had to be ready & out the door again to go to a friend's birthday meal. I said hello as i got in the cab, then was mentally running through all i needed to do, 'ie, shower, change, don't forget Kate's present!' etc! Taxi driver started on about illegal immigrants, obviously wanted a debate which i didn't have the energy for😳
I was answering him, but my mind was elsewhere, which he obv took offence at! He said 'Christ what's got into you? Tired, bad mood or what?!' I said 'None if those, just busy day at work and things to do now!' Was relieved to pay and leave!

One more - Dd & i took a taxi from home, i came out first so went to other passenger seat, so she could jump into the one nearest the kerb, as she had bags. He said 'AND what's up with that door then, not GOOD enough for you?' And muttered & shook his head throughout the rest of the journey, despite me telling him why I'd picked that door!😲

The younger drivers are polite as anything, i'd say these are late 50's onwards. The odd one i could forget about, but 3 in one month is a bad coincidence. Btw, I'm polite, always have the right change to hand, often tip, and never keep them waiting so i don't understand where I'. going wrong! I'm quite quiet though, more introvert than extrovert. Maybe I've not got enough banter? I'm a customer though, i don't know them personally!

Would appreciate any thoughts, I'm rather confused by this!

Is it the same taxi company? This is aggressive behaviour from these drivers, I think the company should be informed if there's another one you could use.

I get a longish taxi ride 4 times a week, my tactics are
I get my mobile out straight away and look busy on it.
If they start talking I say sorry I have some work to do.
If they carry on talking I ignore them.
Some then sulk and torn the music up louder, I ask them to turn it down.
So far my tactics work. I had a few journeys before listening to racist rants and decided I needed a plan.

Two of these drivers are from the same company, one is an independent driver, Fictional. I was so close to reporting the two 'company' drivers, but wondered if they could get even worse if they pick me up when they know I've reported them. i'll look on their website today, see if i can find out their names and ask not to be sent those drivers👍

Good tips, 'Dampsquid', thank you! I really don't know what gets into them😲 They seem in a bad mood when i get in the cab.
They seem to want me to react differently from how i do, more fiery/bantery maybe? I see them as i would a shop assistant though - someone scanning my shopping through/driving me from A to B, i'm polite, happy to pass the time of day, ie, 'weather chat/have you been busy etc' but don't feel the need to go further than that!

I prefer taking buses when i can tbh, get on, sit down and watch the world go by, i feel much more anonymous then! 😀

I think part of the problem is some of them
Wait ages to get a job so it’s like they want a bit of a social with the passenger. Where as I just want to get from A to B safely and ideally quietly.
I don’t really do the small talk at all now apart from with my two favourite drivers.

That's probably it, DampSquid! I suppose if i need to take a taxi it's because time is short, or I'm at the end of a busy day, so am a bit 'in my own world', re-running in my head something that's happened at work/mentally planning what to cook for everyone, and making sure kids are sorted for an activity they're going to/or just decompressing, as in 'Phew, I've finished!'

I suppose some of these drivers could have been sitting around for 3+ hours and just vent their frustration, expecting me to be on their wavelength🤔