Korean Job Discussion Forums

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

As if standing on the corner waving my arm wasn't a clear enough sign that I was trying to get a taxi, some Korean guy and his wife thought they could just waltz up and try to take the first available taxi in ten minutes.

I yelled politely and while exercising much restraint, "Excuse me, that's my taxi." The guy says, "You?" What a dumbass *beep*. I got my taxi, and calmed my rage during the ride.

Is there any respect or common courtesy in this realm? It seems to me there isn't, and I have three years of observations to back up my claim.

I have never lived in a big city outside Korea, so I have no idea about taxi manners elsewhere, but they are horrible in Korea.

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

It seems that the chance of saving a couple of extra minutes turns people into rude scumbags every time...Lost count of the times ive been calling a cab in london and some git has actually ran in front of me and got in first...Or edged out further into the road to get the taxi i was calling..

Havent experienced it yet in korea but then again, i dont often get taxis during peak time...

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

No different from Athens, Greece, Paris etc ....

Why blame Korea?

yemanja · Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Stood in the freezing rain in Manhattan one night, late and chilled to the bone, finally flagged a taxi, and this woman slides through into the seat, and, honestly, said "don't even think about it."

I'm a bit more agressive these days- my long legs are ready to upset anyone trying to snag my ride. Twisted Evil

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

I hate Bundang, it's a bigish city, but you can wait 15 minutes to get a taxi sometimes, on a big main road ... Evil or Very Mad

Randall Flagg · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:24 am Post subject: Re: Getting a Taxi

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

you gotta strategically position yourself up-traffic from the other players.

play the taxi, not the man.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

My problem is just getting the *&$#%'s to stop in the first place. Where I live in Gwangju, 2 or 3 empty taxi's will usually pass me by before I can get someone to pick me up. Last Sunday morning, 5 went by. The 6th stopped and asked where I wanted to go. I got in and closed the door before I told him so he couldn't take off.

Evil or Very Mad

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

You gotta be ready to act fast. If you see a couple trying to weasel you, move your ass to get in front of them.

Same goes with lines. If somebody tries to weasel you. Just walk back in front of them and give a stare. Problem solved

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

I find the best taxi tactic is to stand by a pedestrian crossing, they're all unofficial taxi ranks- especially if by a subway station.

yemanja · Joined: 29 Sep 2004

I've had taxis refuse to take me someplace if it is not far enough away- this happens routinely to me and my friends, especially at night. We now jump in, close the doors, and wait until we are moving to tell the driver where to take us- it hasn't failed yet.

Yesterday a driver got my friend and me about 500 yds from where we were going and stopped, and refused to go any further. He was totally obstinate and nasty. I was shocked, as I have had pretty good luck with drivers. I suppose they are just like every other group of people- some great, some nasty, and most just doing their jobs the best they can.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

they have some weird thing about going over arbitrary boundaries
"will you take us a couple of kilometers East?"
"Sure hop in!"
"How about a couple of kilometers West?"
"What?! That's all the way out to Incheon district- you've got to pay triple and name your first born son after me"

edgellskiuk · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: Seoul

The worst ,well funniest taxi experience was my taxi buddy. I tell the taxi driver my destination and get into the taxi all of a sudden a middle aged guy jumps in next to me and says hi.

Ok taxi sharing thats fine, we get to my destination pay the cab fare and my taxi buddy gets out as well. I walk to bar with taxi buddy following about ten metres behind me. I sit at bar taxi buddy sits 2 seats down. One hour passes taxi buddy gets up and leaves with a cheery "goodbye pleased to meet you".

Normally I never have a problem with taxi unless I ask for the Chosun Hotel they always look blankly at that one.