Last night I just came back from Hongkong on a business trip and
as usual I left my car at home and take taxis. At T3, I saw there
was no queue and when I came to the entrance, the assistant wave
for a taxi to come over and it was an uncle driving a silver taxi.
He was smiling as he opened the boot and when I got into his taxi,
I told him Simei and he suddenly broke out in a short laughter.
He told me, wah lau today is very suay, he went to Airport 3
times that day and 3 times kena Bedok, Tampines and me, Simei. He
was hoping for a connection to somewhere nearer to City area so he
can go inside and take passengers for booking etc. So we triggered
off a discussion about all these passengers going short distance
from Airport. And he says why some TDs black face when kena these
trips cos it is just not worth their time and fuel money but I told
him it is also not anyone's fault that the passengers stay nearby
and why should the passenger put up with bad attitude from the TD?
Its just like going into a Mcdonalds and buying just a coke, does
it mean we get shitty attitude compared to another person buying a
meal? The uncle says no lah, just that sometimes hope that
passengers understand.
You know the trip came up to $11.40 with the 5 bucks surcharge
and I pass him $15 and ask him keep the change and told him better
luck with his business.
Why I am writing this? The key point here is this uncle
complained to me and talked to me but he was all the time smiling
and at any one time, he did not make me feel guilty that I stayed
in Simei. I enjoyed the short discussion with him and felt that if
the taxi driver is nice to me, I do understand that going to simei
to airport while not optimum, its not my fault so dun give me shit
attitude. And for my end, I always make sure I tipped polite taxi
drivers a few dollars despite knowing how they feel.
So to taxi drivers, why give passengers the black face? Be nice
to them, you might just get a few dollars as tips. I know its not
alot, but for an $11 fare, a $4 tip is pretty substantial and
afterall you are just trying to earn as much money for a living, so
why vent your anger and frustration on the passenger?
As for passengers, all I can say, if the taxi drivers have been
polite and nice to you, why be stingy? Reward them a bit and tell
them we do appreciate good service.
Tks for sharing here. I too experienced short trips to Budget
Terminal, to Simei, or Expo, or CBP, Changi north.. etc. I guessed
its just god's will somtimes. Though felt a bit sad but just ignore
it and drove on...
My worst encounter was queued for 1 hr 15 mins during morning
peak hr and gotten a trip to Changi Business Park. What a day!
For me, I dun bother to anger or show face. I just take a deep
breath, sip my kopi-O and sniff my vicks inhaler and drive
on........ :)
