|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Scorpion
Joined: 15 Apr 2012
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:49 pm Post subject: 'Foreigner only' taxis passing me by to pick up Koreans! |
 |
|
Are those Orange taxis in Seoul still only for foreigners? Last Friday night I was standing in Itaewon waiting for a taxi. It's often difficult enough because 'taxi stealing' seems to be the national sport here. On top of that taxis will frequently pass you by to pick up Koreans. And the Koreans show no shame in jumping into a taxi that just passed you by and which, by all reasoning, was yours. Now those orange taxis are doing it. Last Friday three different 'foreigner only' taxis passed by me and stopped for Koreans. On the third occasion I simply ran back and claimed it from the people climbing into it. Now, I'm not a big fan of the 'foreigner taxi' thing (for different reasons) and I can understand the drivers wanting to pick up Korean customers too. They need to make money. But driving a 'foreigner taxi' then passing foreigners by to pick up Koreans is just f@&ked up.
Anyone experience this? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jammo
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| when were they only for foreigners? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jammo
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| This thread reminds me of the movie 'falling down' |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fustiancorduroy
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The foreigner taxis specifically say "International Taxi: For Foreigners Only" on the side. Some of these taxis are orange, others are black. But not all orange taxis are international taxis. Far from it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Smithington
Joined: 14 Dec 2011
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Man taxi stealing drives me nuts. A couple weeks ago I was walking to a taxi outside a subway station. I was approaching the taxi door, clearly intent on getting into the taxi. A Korean woman comes running up from behind, grabs the door and jumps in. I stood there in disbelief. She practically had to push my hand away to grab the handle and open the door.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Died By Bear
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Location: On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Smithington wrote: |
Man taxi stealing drives me nuts. A couple weeks ago I was walking to a taxi outside a subway station. I was approaching the taxi door, clearly intent on getting into the taxi. A Korean woman comes running up from behind, grabs the door and jumps in. I stood there in disbelief. She practically had to push my hand away to grab the handle and open the door.
|
Grow a pair and be aggressive next time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tiger fancini
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Testicles for Eyes
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Taxis have been getting on my nerves recently. Not so much taxi stealing, but taxi drivers who drive down Itaewon high street at around 2am with their orange (available) lights on ignoring people trying to flag them down. They are not even asking where people want to go, just waving their hands no as they cruise on by, kerb-crawler style. I've witnessed this a few times lately, and it really makes me wonder what is going through their heads. I've heard the "don't want to pick up foreigners" excuse, so then I wonder what the f*%k they are doing in Itaewon at 2am? I've also seen them ignore Korean-looking folk too. Why drive down a street that is obviously going to be heaving with people trying to get taxis, advertise your taxi as available, then wave no to/refuse people trying to PAY YOU MONEY TO TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE?? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Died By Bear
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Location: On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: 'Foreigner only' taxis passing me by to pick up Koreans! |
|
|
| Scorpion wrote: |
Are those Orange taxis in Seoul still only for foreigners? Last Friday night I was standing in Itaewon waiting for a taxi. It's often difficult enough because 'taxi stealing' seems to be the national sport here. On top of that taxis will frequently pass you by to pick up Koreans. And the Koreans show no shame in jumping into a taxi that just passed you by and which, by all reasoning, was yours. Now those orange taxis are doing it. Last Friday three different 'foreigner only' taxis passed by me and stopped for Koreans. On the third occasion I simply ran back and claimed it from the people climbing into it. Now, I'm not a big fan of the 'foreigner taxi' thing (for different reasons) and I can understand the drivers wanting to pick up Korean customers too. They need to make money. But driving a 'foreigner taxi' then passing foreigners by to pick up Koreans is just f@&ked up.
Anyone experience this? |
Sure, but there are good reasons they do it. And this isn't an apology for them, it's reality. For one thing, they pretty much know that Koreans will pay them. Depending on a few factors, maybe the drivers felt you didn't look like the type of foreigner they wanted to have in their car. Who knows what you look like, maybe the guy just had four G.I.s rip him off. You never know.
One thing about taxis, there are tons of em. When five pass you up, you're bound to get a decent one later. Unless of course it's 2 in the morning and everyone drunk is trying to get home - and it's freezing outside. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Died By Bear
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Location: On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| tiger fancini wrote: |
| Taxis have been getting on my nerves recently. Not so much taxi stealing, but taxi drivers who drive down Itaewon high street at around 2am with their orange (available) lights on ignoring people trying to flag them down. They are not even asking where people want to go, just waving their hands no as they cruise on by, kerb-crawler style. I've witnessed this a few times lately, and it really makes me wonder what is going through their heads. I've heard the "don't want to pick up foreigners" excuse, so then I wonder what the f*%k they are doing in Itaewon at 2am? I've also seen them ignore Korean-looking folk too. Why drive down a street that is obviously going to be heaving with people trying to get taxis, advertise your taxi as available, then wave no to/refuse people trying to PAY YOU MONEY TO TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE?? |
There are plenty of Korean fares for them in Itaewon, plenty. By the way, what you're describing happened to me so many times in the 90's as well as the 2000's. It's nothing new. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tiger fancini
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Testicles for Eyes
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Died By Bear wrote: |
| tiger fancini wrote: |
| Taxis have been getting on my nerves recently. Not so much taxi stealing, but taxi drivers who drive down Itaewon high street at around 2am with their orange (available) lights on ignoring people trying to flag them down. They are not even asking where people want to go, just waving their hands no as they cruise on by, kerb-crawler style. I've witnessed this a few times lately, and it really makes me wonder what is going through their heads. I've heard the "don't want to pick up foreigners" excuse, so then I wonder what the f*%k they are doing in Itaewon at 2am? I've also seen them ignore Korean-looking folk too. Why drive down a street that is obviously going to be heaving with people trying to get taxis, advertise your taxi as available, then wave no to/refuse people trying to PAY YOU MONEY TO TAKE THEM SOMEWHERE?? |
There are plenty of Korean fares for them in Itaewon, plenty. By the way, what you're describing happened to me so many times in the 90's as well as the 2000's. It's nothing new. |
I've seen them cruise past Koreans too - a quick sidewards glance and a wave of the hand. Maybe they (the drivers) think it's funny, especially in winter? Could just be a moody old guy who had a bad day, trying to make himself feel better at the misfortune of others I suppose. |
|
| Back to top |
| |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
