One of the big stories recently was how a the taxi driver found a
black bag containing $1.1 million in the backseat of his cab and
returned it to its owners. Firstly, I find it a little hard to
believe and I have a feeling it’s all a gimmick, a feel-good story.
And secondly, people who don’t treasure or keep track of their
money – especially if its $1.1 million – don’t deserve
it!
That said, finding things left behind by our passengers is a common
occupational hazard for us, and we don’t always get the chance to
return them. Amazingly, in my 15 years as a taxi-driver, the only
incident where I’ve actually found any money was a wallet belonging
to a Japanese tourist a few years ago. It contained some credit
cards and about $200, which I left at the hotel he was staying at.
But things like umbrellas and handphones, I get those all the time.
There are also less common items I’ve been left with like boxes
filled with heavy books, badminton racquets and an assortment of
junk. Here are my top three most memorable finds:
1. A baby pram left behind in my boot. I can’t believe the family
who took my cab actually forgot something as big as that. The
mother was even carrying the baby as they walked off.
2. A plastic bag filled with fruit, mostly dukus. I was hungry and
ate the lot – they made for a very nice afternoon snack. I just
pity the poor guy who was looking forward to eating his
fruit!
3. One time, after a couple had alighted, I spotted a longish, blue
box wedged in the backseat. I thought it was cigarettes, but upon
closer inspection, it turned out to be an unopened box of condoms –
Durex brand, I think. In case you were wondering, no, I didn’t use
them. I showed the box to a group of taxi driver friends and gave
it to the one who wanted it most.
See askunclefrank.blogspot.com for
more of Uncle Frank’s wisdom.
If I was a taxi driver, all the chio bu will have my babies after
they alight from the cab.
