Quiet Ways To Beat Shady Taxi Drivers [Part 2 of 2]
Many of the quiet ways to beat shady taxi drivers I mentioned in Part 1 take place before you ever meet the driver. The hardest part of not getting ripped off by a dishonest cab driver is when you are actually sitting behind them. I once read that being silent hides your ignorance and the less you say the more you convey.
As long as you are conveying the right things you can get a strong message across that you won’t be hustled easily.
Be Cheap Not Stupid
Go with whatever ‘official’ taxis there are and don’t try to save by going in an unmarked vehicle or one that doesn’t feel right (as I almost did in India). In many parts of the world there are official or government cars. These official vehicles might be a bit more expensive but aside from fixed prices you’ll also be safer.
Lose The Sympathy
I can’t tell you how many sob stories I’ve heard from some drivers, in particular the older ones. They try to make you feel sorry for them in hopes that you’ll leave a big tip or be OK with a drive that’s an hour longer than it should be. Be heartless and convey it by not responding much. (Don’t engage in conversation!)
Scope The Meter
Just because a meter is off doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. Ask the driver to turn it on and if there is a problem with it confirm the average price you researched before the ride. Based on your prior research if working meters are common don’t get in a cab without one.
Mind Your Manners
- Be Nice Without A Smile - It almost goes without saying but be polite. A smile might give you away as naive though because in many places it’s an international faux pas.
- Eyes Up and Speak Up - You won’t notice the 10 left turns a shady taxi driver has taken if your nose is buried in a guidebook and he or she certainly won’t stop it if you don’t say anything. Trust your gut and ask why the driver is taking a certain route or to speed up if you feel like you are being taken for a ride.
- Dan mentions that you should pay once you are outside of the taxi either through the driver’s window or face to face after unloading your luggage. That way the driver can’t hold you up in the cab if you refuse to pay the fare being asked. (Thanks for the tip Dan.)
Don’t Let Your Guard Down
I know I’ve made taking a taxi sound like a horrific experience but it never has to be. None of these quiet ways will work if you don’t stick with them. Like anyone else trying to scam or hustle you out of some money a shady taxi driver will work all of the angle he or she thinks will work. Stay quiet and be firm and learn to blend in. A few minutes of Googling, a straight face, and a tight lip will go a long way to keeping your fare fair.
[photos by: Who.is.Bill.Posters?, lumierefl]
Quiet Ways To Beat Shady Taxi Drivers [Part 1 of 2]
It’s easy to get scammed by shady taxi drivers who know that you are from out of town, may not know the local customs, and have extra cash to be cheated out of. Not all taxi drivers are going to cheat you but there are a few quiet ways to be your own travel insurance against it.
Being prepared is the best way to take away most of the leverage shady taxi drivers have to rip you off and you can outwit most without uttering a word.
Research The Local Customs
Taxi culture in Turkey is different than in South Africa than in Argentina, etc. It’s important to know the specifics. Otherwise you’ll just have to take the taxi driver’s word and expect that their actions are the norm. Spend a few minutes Google hacking your next trip the local tipping, meter, and baggage customs.
Know The Average Fare
There are a number of travel blogs that will tell you approximately how much it should cost you to get from the airport to your hostel, between major sites, and any other local hot spots. You don’t want to trust the taxi driver, the only thing you should rely on them is to drive. Find out everything else yourself before you get in the cab. Calculate international cab fares with World Taximeter, do a blog search, or get on Twitter and ask me, I’ll help you find out.
Be Vague About Where You’re Going
Start with the area of town you are going to and get more specific with your final destination as you get closer. It’s more difficult for a driver to wander around when you can see the signs to the part of town you want to go to.
Don’t Engage in Conversation
Almost universally taxi drivers will try to chat with you, especially if you look very foreign. While they might just be curious, the more you talk the more you give away about how clueless you are. I was once ripped off by a driver in a large city I had visited many times because I unwittingly gave away that I was unfamiliar with a part of town.
Have Correct Change
You should always have small bills on you whenever you travel separate from your larger ones. Your socks are a good place to hide your big denominations since opening a fat wallet with a bunch of bills just makes you a more tempting target. Besides, taxi drivers never have correct change, ever.
It’s All Quiet
Good body language and communicating non-verbally will help you bargain when you don’t know the local language. The more you research beforehand the more confident you’ll be directing traffic from the back seat. Tomorrow in Part 2 I’ll share a few ways to be firm, confident, and not get ripped off while being quiet at the same time.
[photos by: Who.is.Bill.Posters?, jk5854]
Calculate International Cab Fares With World Taximeter
Find out how much it will cost you to get from point A to point B via taxi in major international cities around with World Taximeter.
The free online service gives you a break down of the price for 15 North American and European cities. A simple query for a fare from the Chrylser Building to Penn Station shows the 3.14km ride to take about 9 minutes and cost $10.28. World Taximeter estimates the cost not only based on the distance, but the average wait time, any peak hour surcharges, and 15% tip.
Although the search helps you by suggesting famous landmarks, the service is a bit shoddy unless you use specific street addresses. Hopefully World Taximeter will expand its list of cities offered (they are currently taking suggestions).
Knowing how the approximate distance and fare for any cab ride when you travel around the world is the best way to avoid getting ripped off.
Don’t Fall For The Taxi Scams At Indian Airports
August 27, 2008 by Anil P.
Filed under Advice, Car, Security, Travel Journal
It hadn’t been 5 minutes since I cleared customs in Delhi when a young Indian guy asked me if I needed a taxi and lead me to his green and yellow car sitting right outside of the airport. I knew better, but want to see what he was up to. The entire time he was rather talkative, asking questions about where I was from and doing in India – none of which I answered truthfully. Then I asked him how far away the hotel was, “25 kilometers” he replied for 3875 rupees (~$89 dollars).
Of course I didn’t get in, I went over to a prepaid taxi stand, paid 270 rupees ($6.20) for a short 5km trip down the road to my hotel.
I read about such cons at Indian airports before my previous trip to Bangalore, but it’s easy for someone to get taken in the confusing atmosphere outside of the terminal. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to avoid getting ripped off (or worse) with a few simple precautions.
Always Get Your Cab From A Prepaid Taxi Stand - These government-run booths are located toward the exit of the major airports with bold yellow signs. The prices are set by the state and the licensed drivers can be trusted to take you straight to your destination. You will also be provided an official receipt after prepaying.
Do Gas Prices Go Up When You Pay By Credit Card?
ABC News is reporting that swiping a credit card at the pump may instantly increase your per gallon cost of fuel by a few cents.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU22OhZ8bak[/video]
Right now I’m running an expierament at several gas stations and I’ll report my findings next week. I’d first like to ask if you’ve noticed any hidden gasoline charges at the pump?
The Before and After of GPS Theft
Recently my lapse in judgment lead to my beloved Garmin nuvi 250 being stolen out of my car. It was a smash and grab on a busy street in broad daylight – an hour after I had parked my car.
Here’s what I knew (and should have done) to prevent being a target and learned afterwards.
Before It’s Stolen
- Never, Ever, Leave Your GPS Out - This is an obvious one but practice it religiously. Never leave your GPS or other electronic devices (laptops, satellite radios, photo equipment) out. All it take is one goodie to entice a thief and then they’re all gone.
- Wipe Off Suction Cup Marks - Paula bow recommends bringing some wet toilettes to conceal this GPS giveaway.
- GPS devices use suction cups that leave big rings on the windshield. Even if you hide your system, you run the risk of becoming a target unless you wipe off the telltale suction marks. Pack a few wet towelettes, and when the ring becomes noticeable, wipe down your windshield.
Add Your GPS, Other Expensive Items To Your Car Insurance Policy In Case Of Theft
More people are treating their automobiles like additional rooms of their homes, leaving them vulnerable targets to theft and vandalism. Most of us don’t find out that any 3rd party accessories (no matter how expensive they might be) aren’t covered by insurance until they get stolen.
As I found out after a recent experience, you can add GPS, satellite radios, and stero systems to your car insurance policy if you want them to be covered in case of theft or damage after an accident.
Keep in mind that you’ll still have to fork over the cash on items that cost less than your deductible and your premiums may get a rate hike. Unless you travel with expensive equipment often that you can’t hide (i.e. video equipment for work) in most cases it’s not worth it.
You’re best bet is to keep electronic goodies and their suction cup holsters out of sight every time you park your car no matter when or where – that will help prevent any damage your actual car in the long run.
[photo by: Qole Tech]
Is Speeding Worth The Risk?
My recent post on how to avoid a speeding ticket generated some feedback about the disadvantages of driving faster. In particular, peter wrote:
How about not breaking the law. Example added benefits are reducing the chances of killing someone and using less gas – save money and the planet.
Must be a reasonable option?
So I ask you out there, is speeding worth the risks to you or are the risks in your opinion small and worth the saved time? Are the alternatives “reasonable options” as peter suggests?
How To Avoid A Speeding Ticket
Automobiles are the most common method of travel and many of us use them to jet from city to city. Hitting the gas on the open road can help shave minutes of any trip but get pulled over and you’ll lose time, money, and maybe your ability to drive.
Although it’s not encouraged, if you do decide to speed here are some ways to avoid the flashing lights and scruffy beards of police speed traps.
- Use The Herd Mentality - Think of a nature show, which one of the grazing animals gets eaten by the lion? The odd one out that’s away from the group. The same logic applies when you’re on the road; slow down when there are no other cars around, you’re easy prey for a cop sitting by the road.
- Watch The Taillights On The Horizon – The cars on the edge of your visual range (not the ones right in front of you) will tip you off to police, accidents, and construction. Be alert if you see a series of brake lights making their way toward you.
7 Driving Mistakes To Avoid In Europe
We often neglect how often we are in a car during our travels. Consequently we don’t pay enough attention to planning around our automobile use, plopping ourselves down in a car and expecting the vehicle, traffic, and pedestrians to act the same all over the world.
Most people spending days fretting over a flight across the Atlantic, but neglect to avoid these basic driving mistakes. Cars are the most dangerous form of travel and getting ready for foreign roads may save your life.
- Not Doing Some Google Hacking – A simple search like “driving in ________” can help you to get a general idea of the driving conditions in the city you’re visiting (ViaMichelin is another great resource). Places generally fall into one of two categories, either they strictly follow the rules (think Western Europe) or it’s utter coordinated chaos (as in India).
- Staying In The Left Lane (or right for the UK and former British colonies) – You’re likely to get lost or have to make sudden turns onto streets which won’t be easy if there is a car blocking your path. Staying in the right lane also gives you a better view of most exits and make it easier for you to detour around unexpected traffic or construction.
My name is Anil, a traveler and travel enthusiast. I created foXnoMad to connect with other travelers, discover their world, and share what I’ve learned about mine.
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