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[This message has been edited by don2222]

Twice in the past week I have been riding in a taxi, and the driver fell asleep.  The first time was while we were sitting at a traffic light, and then tonight, a driver fell asleep as we were driving down the road.  I had to nudge the guy to wake him up !
Fortunately I noticed him sleeping before we hit anything.
I guess that is the first benefit to riding in the front, I could see that he was sleeping.
The second benefit is that the driver is much more likely to turn on the meter without your asking.  I guess they do not want to make you angry while you are sitting so close to them
A few days ago I took a taxi ride that is almost always 60-70 pesos.
Well, this last trip the meter read 140 pesos. The driver had obviously rigged his meter to go very fast.  I just told the driver that his meter needs repair, and tossed him 60 pesos as I exited the car.  I told a different driver about this, and he explained that I should have gotten the drivers tag number and called the police.
Also, sometimes drivers will refuse to turn on the meter, or they want some crazy fixed price, or they want more money in addition to what the meter will read.  I just ask them to stop, and that I will transfer to a different taxi. That changes their attitude about 99% of the time.
Most of them actually smile, and act polite after that.  

The fun never stops,

Don

... in response to There must be a shabu shortage in the Ph..., posted by don2222 on May 30, 2003

I would like to add something here.  I have heard of the nightmare stories of taxi drivers in Manila.  I was surprised to find that when in Cebu I did not have one problem.  They all used their meters and were polite and never expected a tip.   On thing, once in a while they would break out in a song attack.   A familure song would be playing on the radio and bingo everyone is singing.  I loved it but I can't sing so I just enjoyed everyone having a good time.  The lack of traffic lights didn't seem to bother them either.   No road rage, no yelling, just polite honking the horn to let everyone know where they are at.   Any way that is the picture I got about taxi drivers in Cebu City and Davao.  I gues being in Manila is like all big cities, that's why I would like to stay in rural areas.
bye Pete Lee

... in response to Re: There must be a shabu shortage in th..., posted by Peter Lee on May 31, 2003

fluid to keep their engines running in RP??? I simply tell the dishonest taxi driver to stop the cab, and we get out.

... in response to Re: There must be a shabu shortage in th..., posted by Peter Lee on May 31, 2003

Hi Peter,
 The most common tricks are having a meter that runs fast, you would probably never know unless you took the same route several times.
Or, a driver taking the longest route with the heaviest traffic.  The driver doesn't care, he is already at work, and he wants to keep you with him as long as possible.
The driver just wants to keep that meter running.
How many times were you asked if this was your first visit, or if you speak cebuano?  The drivers will question you or your girl to find out how well you know the city.
Hey, not all the drivers are bad, but when you deal with them everyday for months, you tend to pick up on all the tricks.

Don

... in response to Re: There must be a shabu shortage in th..., posted by Peter Lee on May 31, 2003

Hi Peter,
 All of this has happened to me in Cebu and other smaller cities.  I tend to avoid Manila.
When are you going to be in the Phils?
Isn't it sometime soon?

Don

... in response to There must be a shabu shortage in the Ph..., posted by don2222 on May 30, 2003

I have decided the next time i am in the phils, manila specifically, and the driver races 90mph , which happens frequently, i will simply tell the driver, please stop we are getting out, me and my gf. since i feel he is dangerous.

The not turning on the meter happens all the time too, my gf just yells at them in tag, and most of the time they turn it on, sometimes they try to negotiate fixed price i say fine, 50peso they usually get offended and turn on the meter or we hop out. never a dull moment in the phils

... in response to There must be a shabu shortage in the Ph..., posted by don2222 on May 30, 2003

Whaaaaaaaah funny remind me of my brother-inlaw here.He sleep while driving.I guess if my hubby let me drive the car  I probably  fell asleep too while driving 1-).

... in response to Re: There must be a shabu shortage in th..., posted by Febtember on May 30, 2003

Feb,

You still don't have a driver's license yet? Are you practicing for the license exam?

Ray

... in response to Driving, posted by Ray on May 30, 2003

Ray,
Yah I don't have drivers license yet still practicing for the license exam.I have my new prescription glass already because I am blind as a bat.The only problem is that everytime I'm on the car/pick up truck I fell asleep and  I keep telling my hubby I will surely die of car accident if he let me drive alone.I easily get panic too and don't know how to react.Hey!I even drive the tractor once on the house(I guess I fell asleep  while mowing the yard) and good thing the battery went dead after stuggling how to stop the tractor  so no big damage except that our niegbhor happen to pass by  I was so embarass I jump from the tractor then hide and cry.
I better not try driving on the road or near the house,  better stay on the farm ground as long as I stay away from telephone pole and trees I be okey.Raquel

... in response to Re: Driving, posted by Febtember on May 30, 2003

Hello Feb,

Good luck on your practice! Just take your time, if you're not comfortable driving alone yet. Don't drive without your hubby or someone with you. I got my license not long ago ( 2 years ago). I've been here 6 years. Even now, I won't drive on the highway, It's just too scary for me because I have my kid behind me. I easily get paniced when I see a car beside me or I'm in between two cars!

Also, I'm not comfortable driving when my husband is with me either. I felt disoriented and don't know what I'm doing.

I'm sure you are doing better than me. ~_^

Good luck!

Best regards,
Lanie

... in response to Re: Re: Driving, posted by Lanie on May 30, 2003

My wife has been here for 17 years and still won't get on the freeway. And she drove the crazy freeways in Tokyo before. She says it's too scary for her. It's OK though, she knows how to get almost everywhere on the surface streets by now.

I drive through our neighborhood often Lanie - Detroit to Saginaw. Those Michigan drivers are pretty agressive - not quite up there with Houston drivers, though

- Jeff