Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marista99]

[royjones]

[jazblanc77]

[little mixed girl]

i think in most countries the locals see foreigners/ppl that could be tourists as a easy source of cash.

like i suck at bargaining and even tho i mapped out a scenario before hitting the streets it always feel through and i never really did any hardcore bargaining.

and on the 12th, taking a taxi to the hyundai dept store in shinchon the driver kept trying to convince me to let him take me to the airport for 40,000
when i told him the bus was 7,000 and i didn't have a lotta $$ he got quiet for a bit but then tried to get me to get my friends and he'd take all of us...and our luggage...

when that didn't work he decided to tip himself 1,100won from the man won i gave him...(bill was 2,400 i gave 10,500).

[jazblanc77]

My favourite taxi driver dig was te last time I was in Paris. I was walking out of Charles de Gaule airport and a taxi driver approched me and said that he would drive me into Paris (the airport is outside of the city, of course), for $60 (American, I assume!). When I replied in French that I would much rather take the RER (the regional train), for 6 Euros instead, he was so shocked as he wasn't expecting me to reply in fluent French or with a knowledgeable retort. Ca me faisait plaisir!

[nev]

In Egypt, I found it to be common practice to be quoted a price for a taxi journey and upon arrival at that destination, the price would have magically doubled. Or have been "per person" rather than the overall journey.

My experience is limited, but don't many poorer Asian countries have separate rates for Westerners (which are still very cheap by our standards anyway)?

I've never had any trouble with taxis in Korea before. I have no doubt it happens, and probably a little more for Westerners because we're easier targets for the few unscrupulous drivers, but the dodgy taxi driver is far from a phenomenon exclusive to Korea.

[ajstew]

I will only repeat one story I've told before and add another.

Both times... last summer and this summer when returning from Canada to Korea at 9:30 pm, I've been bombarded by taxi drivers asking where I'm going, to which I reply, "Suwon". I quickly hear, "I'll drive 100,000 won." To which I reply... "Bus"... to which they reply... "buses stop... no more buses". I then proceed to the bus stop outside the airport and catch the next one to Suwon for 12,000 won. Sure... no more buses. This past time, it actually made me angry to the point where I said... "are you beeping kidding me... you lying beep".

Second story... missed the final bus going into Seoul from Suwon one evening so hopped in a taxi... he offers no price and doesn't turn on the meter. My brother and I get there, and say... "here you go, 20,000 won", to which he replies, "50,000 won". We tell him, "you should have turned on your meter", and give him 25,000 and leave. Later pal.

[T-dot]

its the same everywhere you go. korea isn't an exception.

speaks no english takes a cab from the airport (any north american city) there will always be a possibility of taking the scenic route or overcharge.

[ajstew]

My point is... does it happen in 'many' countries that the taxi drivers blatently lie and say no buses or last bus gone, to try to get you in their cab? Name the countries... if this is something that has happened in another country.

[jazblanc77]

[Saxiif]

For whatever its worth, my gf reports that saying "he's a waygook give him a good price so he gets a good impression of Korea" is a good bargaining tactic at markets when we go shopping together.

[jazblanc77]

[ajstew]

Jaz writes,
"Absolutely! Try going to Athens. Most of the native Greeks that I met while island hopping in Greece specifically told me to avoid Athens due, in part, to the terribly greedy and sneeky taxi drivers."

Well, did you go to Athens? I just want to know if they tell outright lies right in front of you that can easily be proved in a matter of seconds. Nice hearsay though.

[jazblanc77]

deleted

[little mixed girl]