Do you chat in taxis?

[Bimgy85]

Just wondering, generally if I get a taxi to work (usually if I'm rushing or woke up late) I like to sit in the back of the car on my phone as quiet as a Mouse.

That's not to say other days if we strike up conversation I won't go ahead with it.

But generally I like a peaceful taxi ride without feeling pressured to talk to the driver.

Obviously when drunk is another story how about you?

Depends on the driver. If they make conversation then I'll join in, otherwise I just sit quietly. If I'm drunk enough to need a taxi then chances are I'll be asleep in the back of it! (doesn't really happen nowadays!).

Same as you really I'm not big on small talk but I suppose it depends on my mood and the Taxi driver aswell

My OH is a taxi driver and I know most of the other drivers at the firm so yes we always have a chat if I happen to get a taxi

Yes I'm happy to chat away to anyone. Usually if I'm in a taxi, I'll have had a drink so probably don't remember the conversation anyway😂

It depends on the driver really, I tend to take their lead.

Some of them are great fun. Got a mini cab from the station of tourist spot and picked up some great local tips and excellent restaurant recommendation.

I always chat to the drivers. I always sit in the front too. I feel like Lady Penelope if I sit in the back.

No I prefer peace and quiet. I'm the same at the hairdressers! If they ask me a question I will give a polite, brief answer 😁

It depends on my mood. Sometimes I find a really chatty driver a little annoying if they are talking about something I disagree with. I also had one take over a bit when I was on a date night with my husband (a rare treat). I wanted to enjoy the view and chat quietly with him and I felt the driver hijacked things and the I was left out of the conversation.

I’ll chat to the TD if they initiate conversation; otherwise a nice, quiet ride is fine

It depends. It is easier for me to get in the front, so it feels odd to sit in stony silence for the whole journey; but some of the drivers have limited English.

Like others I take my cue from the drivers. A friend said a good question they always want to ask is what's your degree subject? :o

So many Melbourne taxi drivers are new Australians, finding their feet. So many are multi-lingual and very well-educated.

No because I dont want to.

Unless I am sad I usually test the waters and try and make conversation with them. When I am in my best moods I sit in the front but sometimes I've got taxis because I feel too emotional or tired or whatever for the tube so I'll sit in the back. I'm always happy to chat if they are, but a lot in london plug into their phones and have conversations with other people. Some drivers are lovely though. I think the Uber two way rating system is fab, makes people much more conscientious passengers because if they're a dick, other ubers may refuse to pick them up based on their star rating.

I do, I always sit in the front and use the same company so I know all the drivers really well. Sometimes I almost forget to pay as it’s like getting a lift from a friend.

The taxi drivers in my area think it’s weird if a passenger sits in the back. I only do that if I’m taking a pet to the vets.

I'm a private hire taxi driver, most of us in our franchise are women, driving the elderly around on days out and the inevitable hospital trips. I love having a chat with the old dears, they are 99% so sweet and lovely, probably not having had the chance to have a natter with anyone in a long while.

Fine if someone doesn't want to chat, you kind of get to know which type they are and respond accordingly. Most of my customers wont stop once they have started.

In an Uber I chat and am cheerfuland charming. In an Addy Lee where I'm not being rated as a passenger I sit quietly and check my emails

When I lived in W London, in a very Asian area, I used to dread getting into taxis with white drivers to go home, because too many of them wanted to start the 'I'm not racist, but...' conversations.

If I was with my male OH, he would shut them down, but if I was on my own, I felt very vulnerable about this.

I'm about 50/50. I tend to use taxi drivers as an excuse to practise speaking in the local language (I'm an immigrant). But sometimes I want a quiet ride.

I don't take taxis very often.

I try to make an effort in an Uber because apparently you can get rated low if you're not chatty, ffs. Usually I run out of chat quite quickly after covering the usual small talk about what a nice/horrible weather it is etc.

I don’t know if anyone is still reading this but I have had a horrid experience with Uber recently and want others to know.

I went to a friends for dinner (vegan curry). We had 3 bottles of wine between 3 women over 4.5 hours.

I took an Uber home and my babysitter (18 year old girl, super bright and responsible) took my Uber to her onward address at about 11.30pm. (My journey time was 20 mins)

The Uber driver commented to my babysitter once she was in the taxi that I seemed “very drunk”. Babysitter didn’t really respond. The driver then proceeded to say that he couldn’t believe how drunk I was, that he couldn’t understand why I was out and drinking. He asked to know the relationship between the babysitter and me. When she explained, he continued to make comments about me: what does she do for a job? Does she work? Is she a single mother? Does she have a husband? How old are her kids? Are they really badly behaved? Babysitter answered a couple of questions before realising that she wasn’t happy with the questioning (a feminist herself and also, realising how unnecessary the questions were), she started to ignore the driver. He then started to rant at her: his wife never went out despite having children, she would not drink alcohol and his wife is at home with the children, who at impeccably behaved and can say “please” and “thank you” already aged 2...

I’m outraged that 1) I have been discussed by an Uber driver with another passenger unnecessarily 2) I am being judged on my gender (would a male in my position be judged in this way?) 3) questioned about my parenting skills when doing nothing “illegally” and 4) my Free time rights are being considered suspect by someone working for a public company.

I am very keen to hear what others think about this situation! Uber have credited my account with the initial journey fee, as they agree that discussing me with another client was inappropriate. I have escalated “the full story”, but am wondering if anyone feels like this is a strong topic that needs to be escalated further.

Any advice/feedback much appreciated

Kind Regards

Sohardtofindaname