I take cabs about 10 times in a week, and always arrive promptly
at my pick up points. I have come to notice that cabbies start the
meter almost immediately, while they stall to stop the running
meter upon arrival. They would adjust everything else, turn the
lighting on, inch up undesirably ahead of your desired destination,
but just won’t stop the meter, despite the vehicle already in
stationary position. This extra second would cause the fare to jump
by 30cents including surcharge.What is 30 cents when you are
already prepared to spend a startup amount of about $7 when you
book a cab? But as more cabbies do it, the more angst I get. I
whined about the extra charge, I even resorted to telling the
uncles twice to stop their cabs. They would retort that I got to
pay whatever amount on the meter. Others would deny my
allegations.Rightfully, unless the vehicle is obstructing traffic,
they should stop immediately at my command. Especially since I have
always stopped at designated lobby landings of commercial
buildings, and private residences.Recently I demanded for receipts
I obviously do not need and complained about their stalling. 2
cabbies made a protesting sound like I was being unreasonable. So I
decided to post their receipts here.I would have accepted the
amounts if they rounded to the next dollar nicely. But no, I get
change in numerous coins I so detest. But in principle I would take
that money. I usually round up the payment to the next dollar if it
is within 55 cents of the next dollar. I expect cabs to round it
down witjin 20 cents. E.g. Cab fares greater than $x.45, I will
give $x+1; Cab fares less than $x.15, I expect to pay just $x; if
it amounts to $x.20 to $x.40, I will pay the exact amount or give
$x.50.From now on, I am collecting receipts of the fares that
jumped only because these cabbies unnecessarily delay and gives me
more coins than I could have received for. It is a matter of
principle. But what can I do but pay them? Sent from Samsung
Galaxy Note