To hate taking taxis?

[Notthemessiah]

So I'm abroad at the moment and I've had to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel but despite the fact that work are paying, I hate it. I hate the awkward silence with the taxi driver (not sure if it is better or worse that he probably doesn't speak English anyway, so conversation would be a non-starter regardless). I hate watching the meter tick inexorably upwards, even if I'm not paying this time (though it's worse when i am of course). I hate having to pretend that I am comfortable with the whole experience of being ferried around by someone when I'm quite clearly not.

Is that just me though?

No I feel the same. Would much rather get on a bus or train if possible.

Ooh I love getting a taxi, makes me feel all fancy. It IS annoying when you get stuck in traffic and have to watch the meter ticking up!

YADNBU! I've told DH we're not doing taxis to/from the airport anymore...I don't care how much it costs to park up. The conversation always starts like this...
'going/been anywhere nice?'
'Yes thanks, we're going/been to [xxx]'
'Oh, me and the wife are going to [insert name of completely unrelated destination]' followed by a lot of boring bullshit. One guy gave me a full blow by blow account of how they manage their washing on return, plus the complex dog-sitting arrangements for the fortnight! Honestly mate, I could count the number of fucks given on no hands 😩

Taxis make me unbearably anxious. I hate not knowing how much my journey will cost and I really hate talking to the driver. I have awful social anxiety and AS, and social cues are difficult for me. Trying to hold a charming conversation with a stranger through a tiny window makes me stressed.

I don't mind, when I phone up the booking office, they give me a quote, so I know exactly how much it would be. YOu don't have to talk to the driver, take a book, or browse the internet, that is what I do sometimes.

Londoner here. I prefer it when taxi drivers don't talk to me.

YANBU, I hate taking taxis too. Mainly because I don't like being stuck in a moving vehicle with a complete stranger and I find it really awkward knowing whether to chat, what to say and so on. I've had some right bloody weird taxi drivers over the years, although to be fair, some lovely ones too.

And of course there's the wondering if you should tip at the end of the trip, even if all they did was open the boot for you to put your bag in.

As I sit down I get my book out.

I only get them when coming home late from a night out, which is two or three times a year. I bitterly resent paying nearly £10 for a journey I could walk in half an hour if it was safe, and am rarely confident that they take the most direct route.

I hate taxis... I prefer buses and trains!

I always err on the side of caution and tip, usually too much. Unless they're really awful, but I was even forced to tip the worst taxi driver I ever had as I handed over a fiver for a £4.80 fare and he refused to give me 20p change. Normally I wouldn't even bother about 20p but he really was a tosser. So I slammed the car door extra hard as I got out in an act of petty revenge.

I'll generally choose to take a bus or a train, even if it takes longer and even if work are paying but sometimes the time difference is just too great, or sometimes the taxi is already arranged. I just feel so uncomfortable for the whole journey - I know it's stupid and that taxi drivers are just doing a job but still, just can't help it.

Yanbu, a bit irrational maybe but everyone has funny things like that. I'm totally fine with taxis, though they often piss me off, but I hate taking to people on the phone.

Where I'm working at the moment I have to do 2 15min taxi journeys (minicabs) a day and I have to say my patience is wearing thin. From the ones who don't know where theyre going to the ones that talk shit or drive like maniacs. Worse are the one that have talk radio on at full blast at 8 in the morning so Im forced to listen to ranting Tories pontificating at full blast about brexit and how we should be nicer to theresa may and how it's all the immigrants fault.

I occasionally get one that totally ignored me after we've had a brief exchange of words for me to indicate where I'm going until I get out and say thankyou and it's bliss.

So actually, you're right, I do hate getting taxis!

YANBU!! I feel exactly the same

But the silence isn't uncomfortable for the driver, just for you.

And it doesn't need to be uncomfortable for you.

Smile pleasantly at the driver and then look out the window - they won't care.

But Benlui, if you're the sort of person who feels uncomfortable in a small enclosed space with a complete stranger, you can't just tell yourself to feel comfortable with the silence - or with any conversation!

Of course Stone but you can remind yourself that it's only your feeling not the drivers and practice pushing through it.

I LOVE taking a taxi. Proper taxi though, black cab. NOT a minicab. Get into a minicab and give a destination and then end up talking them part way through it when the satnav fucks up.

Black cab, give the destination and they're off, know exactly where they're going, no fuss. Quickest route. Lovely. I'm in awe of anyone who's mastered The Knowledge.

Benlui - I realise it's my problem and not the driver's. But I need to take taxis so infrequently it's hardly worth practicing pushing through it.

It's easy to say 'feel comfortable', less easy to do unfortunately - especially for those who aren't the most comfortable in the majority of social situations. Of course I smile at the driver and gaze out the window (and occasionally check google maps to make sure he's not leading me round the houses) but at the same time I'm desperately hoping that we get there as fast as humanly possible.

Nah. I hate driving and talking to people. Taxis are good with me.

I really hate being in crowds: being jostled, having people too close, in my space, perhaps even touching me... Makes me panic and want to scream. I also detest driving.

I love taxis. Especially black cabs, where the driver is in the front with a glass partition between us, and I can relax in the back, watch the world go by, read/ listen to music with earbuds, or chat if I fancy it.

But YANBU, as we all find different things difficult to bear/ anxiety-provoking.

Black cabs full of Brexit stickers inside... "oh but you know, not you luuve, you clearly work, you can stay if you want" £30+ for the pleasure

Sticking with Uber and my fellow foreigners now. Happy with either mindless chat or awkward silence (I find it amusing actually).