Taxi Etiquette

TychoCelchuuu

So believe it or not I've never taken a taxi alone. Tomorrow I'll be doing so, because apparently Seattle has become 90% engulfed in snow during my absence and nobody I know can drive through that crap. Do you really sit in the back seat instead of next to the taxi driver? That's the impression I've received from, well, my entire life, but that seems kind of weird.

THANK YOU, THAT IS ALL.

VeritasVR

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

So believe it or not I've never taken a taxi alone. Tomorrow I'll be doing so, because apparently Seattle has become 90% engulfed in snow during my absence and nobody I know can drive through that crap. Do you really sit in the back seat instead of next to the taxi driver? That's the impression I've received from, well, my entire life, but that seems kind of weird.

THANK YOU, THAT IS ALL.

In Columbus, I frequently take a taxi to and from the airport. Passengers sit in the back seat, unless there's more than 3 of you. It's usually good to talk to the guy a bit, but it's your call. The fee can get expensive and you should carry enough bills to cover a 15-20% tip without asking for change. I don't know if they make change; I've never tried.

Woot427

VeritasVR wrote: »

TychoCelchuuu wrote: »

So believe it or not I've never taken a taxi alone. Tomorrow I'll be doing so, because apparently Seattle has become 90% engulfed in snow during my absence and nobody I know can drive through that crap. Do you really sit in the back seat instead of next to the taxi driver? That's the impression I've received from, well, my entire life, but that seems kind of weird.

THANK YOU, THAT IS ALL.

In Columbus, I frequently take a taxi to and from the airport. Passengers sit in the back seat, unless there's more than 3 of you. It's usually good to talk to the guy a bit, but it's your call. The fee can get expensive and you should carry enough bills to cover a 15-20% tip without asking for change. I don't know if they make change; I've never tried.

They'll give you change, just give them a twenty and ask for five back for a $12 ride or something. They usually don't mind as long as you don't give them a fifty and ask for thirty bucks back. At least they don't give a shit in Chicago.

Thanatos

Taxis in Seattle take credit cards.

TychoCelchuuu

Man I was just asking where to sit. I said I've never taken a taxi alone, not that I can't figure them out at all Thanks though.

Hlubocky

I think Taxis everywhere take credit cards. Typically they are required to by the city, but many drivers will give you a hard time if you try and use a credit card. Do yourself a favor and make sure you have cash.

EggyToast

Most will take credit cards (and you can ask before you get in), but tip with cash.

You can talk to the guy if you want, or just look out the window, or talk on your cell phone. They don't really care.

Quid

Back seat.

Grislo

Hlubocky wrote: »

I think Taxis everywhere take credit cards. Typically they are required to by the city, but many drivers will give you a hard time if you try and use a credit card.

Due to lack of tips when paid with credit cards, or? Around here, where we don't tip, taxi drivers would tend to favour credit cards to the point that some would prefer it to be the only method of payment as that would cut down the risk of getting robbed.

Quid

I'd wager due to lack of tips. The ones I've used credit card with didn't have the tip option with their machine.

Lord Malory

"YOU NEED TO DO......[WHAT YOU DIDN"T ASK ABOUT HERE]"

Just you have a second opinion. Sit in the back. That's where you sit. Anywhere else in a cab, by yourself, is just a bit strange.

Feral

Quid wrote: »

I'd wager due to lack of tips. The ones I've used credit card with didn't have the tip option with their machine.

Actually, I'd bet that they weren't declaring all of their cash income on their taxes.

Hlubocky

I talked to a driver about this once and I think he said it had to do with people being shitty and calling their credit card company to dispute charges. Also I think it delayed when they got paid.

illig

Grislo wrote: »

Hlubocky wrote: »

I think Taxis everywhere take credit cards. Typically they are required to by the city, but many drivers will give you a hard time if you try and use a credit card.

Due to lack of tips when paid with credit cards, or? Around here, where we don't tip, taxi drivers would tend to favour credit cards to the point that some would prefer it to be the only method of payment as that would cut down the risk of getting robbed.

credit cards are bad in several ways:
1. the machines tend to allow the customer to calculate the precise tip... so you pay precisely $7.88 instead of throwing a $10 bill at the guy and yelling "keep the change" as you leave the cab

2. credit card companies take a cut of all sales... something like 3-4%, for processing fees

3. payment via credit is recorded... taxi drivers tend to under-report their earnings (since they used to be all cash) to pay less taxes

NYC recently forced all taxis to deploy a credit card payment system... and I love it!