Rude cab driver?

[Turnups]

Yesterday I got a cab to a large railway station (too much luggage for bus/train). I have used that local cab company several times before and was always satisfied with them so booked with them in advance. The journey took nearly an hour and I was happy with the driving. However…

I live in an ethnically diverse area and previous cabbies have been varying ethnicities. Some have kept silent and some have been very talkative and wanted to tell me their life-stories (I know more than I ever thought I would about playing in the Algerian national football team). I don’t mind if they want to chat or not.

Yesterday's driver spent 90% of the journey making a number of phone calls (hands free), during which he talked loudly most of the time in a language that wasn’t English. The rest of the time he played loudly through his phone a man speaking loudly in what seemed to a sermon or equivalent (I asked him what it was and he said "Religion".) I felt quite uncomfortable. At best I think it was very bad manners.

The cab company's website says they offer "excellent customer service". I am thinking of contacting them to let them know I don’t consider that excellent customer service, though I’m not making a formal complaint. My DH thinks I should just forget it. AIBU?

He was rude.

But if he got you where you needed to be on time I'd let it go.

To be fair, he's a taxi driver, not the maitre d' at the Ritz. His job is driving and he did that well enough. If the noise bothered you, you could have asked him to turn it down, although it could also be countered that you were rude by asking what he was listening to.

If you were happy with the driving and he got you to your destination safely then he's done his job.
Some taxi drivers are chatty and friendly some not. This would not bother me at all. I can keep myself entertained for an hours drive.
I'm with your husband on this. Forget it.

Totally unprofessional behaviour from a taxi driver.

He can chat to friends when he's not driving and being paid by the customer.

Thanks for your thoughts, but I really don’t see how I was being rude in asking what it was that he was listening to - I was being forced to listen to it too.

It’s because folks overlook behaviour like this, albeit some customers might think nothing if it, that our world is becoming more disrespectful and tiresome.

In your shoes and given I’ve got the time to do it, I’d email the company.

Feedback, not necessarily a complaint, is a gift. It lets a company know how it’s doing. He might just need a word in his ear. Next time he might ask his passenger “do you mind if I xyz?” Clearly, chatting hands free might be acceptable but actually it is diverting his attention. I’d hate it.

Some taxi drivers are weird!

iv had one going on at me about the ira (felt pro to me)

another time I had one talking at me about god in a way that made it obvious he thought I was some kind of sinner who needed saving (probably because I look slightly alternative/metal)

iv had the ones who were opinionated on immigration (I feel racist) but not using language I could pull them up on although I didn’t agree either!

another who was definitely a misogynist who didn’t rate his wife or her (his step) adult children much!

none were at a level that I knew I could definitely make a complaint but also none felt like they were ok either if that makes sense.

I don’t even take taxis very often! Probably no more than 2 or 3 times a year.

on the other hand iv known taxi drivers personally and have had family members who drove them and had been in taxis where the taxi drivers who have been lovely.

it’s like anything else or job sometimes you get a bad person or a right odd one who you ignore but notice or you get the next level where you feel like you can’t not make a complaint.

It wasn't great, but I'm with your DH, move on.

Incredibly rude to talk in another language in front of someone who dosent speak that language.
You have no idea if they are talking about you or not?

I think he was very rude.