Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rchristo10]

Now, I've lived here on and off for nearly a decade. And I have left and come back several times during that period for brief moments home and also to other countries. I also speak Korean with fairly high proficiency.

I faintly remember seeing something on TV today or yesterday about taxis during the holidays, and don't know if there was much else done on the matter. However, today I took four cabs (I nearly always take cabs) to get to places that I know fairly well and was met with drivers who were purposely trying to throw ruses or just being blatantly rude.

Two asked me whether I wanted to go right or left to places where only one direction is possible (without going way off course). I kindly did the uh...I'm sorry? And was met with "which direction" again. With a giggle, I answered both drivers. I also asked both (separate cabs now) why the strange question and they said some people go the other direction and that they were verifying, which I wanted to take. I asked how it was possible to take the other direction, which I know are completely impossible without a 5 to 6,000 won detour, and they both cabbies gave me some rather incoherent answers. Regardless, I blew it off and just went to my destination.

In a third cab I told the driver to go to Coex Mall from Daechi station, and suddenly on the way he asked me Coex Mall or Coex. This was several hours after the two other cabbies. So I not-so-kindly asked him is there a difference, then answered for him that they were the same. I also asked what exactly he was talking about. I was clearly perturbed, but I immediately giggled with my question to belittle the problem (but inside I was livid). He went on to explain that I could mean a Mall near Coex. And then I went into polite debate mode...explaining that if a person says Coex Mall, then they mean Coex. He explained that most Koreans would only say Coex. So, I said well obviously I'm not Korean (which I assume was the main factor for the initial retardation) and where else would I mean by Coex Mall? Then, I went into lecture mode explaining that I'm a bit appalled at such behavior in a metropolis as large and international as Seoul (I'll avoid saying global for obvious reasons). I couldn't believe that he would try to dupe me speaking to him in fluent Korean from Daechi (which ain't far from the mall) to a place as well-known as COEX Mall. I also explained that I haven't seen such tactics taken in even Beijing (which Koreans assume to be somewhat backward). Now, I know people can be affronted by this comment and it was a bit out of my place, but it's what I felt.

After the lecture, he explained that he's only 32 years old. That, [THESE ARE HIS WORDS]: "the job of a taxi driver is not such an ethical one or a good one." (REMEMBER THAT I HAD JUST COMPARED THE TAXI SERVICE OF KOREA TO CHINA...WITH THE POINT BEING THAT SEOUL'S SHOULD BE MUCH BETTER THAN THAT OF BEIJING'S.) He goes on to say that it's not like in Japan, where taxi driving is a "good" job. I remind him that I didn't say that taxi driving was a great job and explained that I surely wasn't comparing it with Japan. I also said that I was shocked that after taking the taxi examination he would somehow confuse Coex & Coex Mall as being completely different places. (AND YES, I know that they are different. But to be honest, there's only one way to get there.) Then, I commented that with Korea hosting such great international forums and events such behavior is embarrassing and doesn't exactly make his job any better. We ended there and on pretty cordial terms. I thanked him, wished him to have a great New Year's and he commented that my Korean was great and he was happy to have the conversation (which was in some ways my 15 minute vexation/ civilized tirade).

Then after the mall, I got in a cab to go home. Told the guy fairly clearly to go straight and he stopped to let me off at the foot of the hill I live on. I wasn't angry (I'd just been shopping). I asked him kindly to go up the hill (I know some get angry about this and I feel for them, but it's also why I'm paying....so I usually keep my cool). Then we get in front of my home, (I could tell something was eating at him and I assumed it was the hill) I asked him to pay using my credit card via the T-money machine. He looks back at me swipes it instead and hands it back to me. As I'm getting out, (apparently he doesn't know I speak Korean) he curses me like not such good cursing either. So I bend in and ask kindly, I'm sorry what was that. He says, literally (but in Korean), "I was saying something because you want to use T-money and care whether I swiped it...f*&^king foreigners...you don't even understand me." I kindly slammed his door and walked into my building with him cursing and spitting explicits my way.

Was it really the blurb on TV that let to this or is something else going on? I'm really trying hard to deal with these taxi issues, but they seem to be getting worse. Is it just seasonal or something? Would guys have dealt with these situations differently? I'm not shocked, but I'm seriously wondering why the taxi manners seem to be getting worse these days...I mean they're only getting like 3,000 or so won more than they should even if they do run their scam unperturbed...but well...that's also half or a total meal depending on where your eating. WTF is going on here with taxi drivers? IS IT REALLY GETTING WORSE OR AM I JUST LOSING IT...??

[koreatimes]

[rchristo10]

[koreatimes]

1) The taxi driver asked for clarification.
2) You got enraged for some reason.
3) There was a "blurb" on TV you saw at home.
4) Somehow, this makes you post here.

I don't know what this blurb was. Only that it was a blurb.

Can you give us more to go on?

[koreatimes]

What are you talking about? The taxi driver asked for clarification.

[rchristo10]

[koreatimes]

Wow, you place too much importance and honor in taxi drivers. Maybe they should make a comedy movie about this. The fearless taxi rider, riding for truth, justice, and the American (scratch that, EXPAT) way of life!!!

[koreatimes]

[CrikeyKorea]

Best taxi argument evaaaaar

[Julius]

[nate1983]

[koreatimes]

[Steelrails]

So can what was this blurb?

What's going on with taxis during the holidays?

I'm genuinely curious. Do the cabbies get rude or try to rip people off? Why? Stress over having to work the holidays? Part-time drivers who flood the market? Trying to get more money during the holidays?

[12ax7]

It's quite simple. Some taxi drivers are dishonest and rude. You just happened to get four of them in a row. Don't let it shape your attitude towards taxi drivers in general. It will probably take years before it happens again.

[Feloria]

Kind of related--
A week ago I took a taxi to go to Home Plus, chum dong.
The fare had reached about 3000 won, and the taxi driver stopped and asked a woman on the street where she was going.
She said E-mart, chum dong which is across the street from Home Plus.
The taxi driver let her in and proceeded to drive. I was curious to see how this would play out with the fare and everything.
The taxi driver stopped at Home Plus and expected me to pay the entire fare, which was 5,000 even though the other woman was also getting out of the taxi.
Now it's true that I would be paying 5,000 either way, but this chick gets a free ride??
I don't think so--I gave 4,000 and said that the other woman could pay the rest. I know, childish on my part maybe.
Is this common practice? The driver didn't say anything to me when she stopped for the other woman, so I wonder...