Comments | barbarienne: I am evil enough that this felt good.

barbarienne

I am evil enough that this felt good.

Jun 25, 2013 14:26

The situation: I have to go to a meeting approximately 3/4 mile away. It is a zillion degrees out and sunny and humid. I get 20' from my office and have an asthma attack (the third I've ever had in my life. Yes, I carry an emergency inhaler). I decide to take a cab ( Read more... )

rant, why do people force me to be an asshole?

Comments 7

houseboatonstyx June 25 2013, 19:17:30 UTC

He sounds drunk. I'd report that to his dispatcher, for public safety.

barbarienne June 25 2013, 19:33:23 UTC

No, he seemed perfectly sober, just an asshole. He drove competently.

houseboatonstyx June 25 2013, 19:44:17 UTC

Still he showed impaired judgement. Though his driving might appear competent to a casual short time passenger, still whatever is bothering him might break through to some traffic act as destructive as his speech was.

And suppose he made a similar speech to someone more vulnerable than you?

If you were a supervisor, wouldn't you want to know if an employee was trating customers this way?

barbarienne June 25 2013, 19:59:33 UTC

Unfortunately, I didn't get the cab number or anything.

I don't think the supervisors give a shit. Philadelphia cabs are terrible in general. He wasn't particularly exceptional by local standards. Sometimes I get a friendly cabbie, but in comparison to NY, the frequency is very low.

It's strange, because (a) the rates are higher here, (b) the cost of a medallion is lower here, and (c) the standards to which they must maintain their vehicles are MUCH lower here.

(Seriously, I have yet to get into a Philly street cab that isn't rattling with parts held on by duct tape. Whereas in NYC, yellow cabs are all in really good shape, many practically new.)

dulcimeoww June 25 2013, 19:33:10 UTC

I've also been a floral delivery driver for a while, and a cab driver (very briefly). One who still knew better than to yell at her customers, precisely because tips are so necessary. That guy needed reminding that tips may be necessary to make a living, but they are also things you EARN.

Tips SHOULD be about rewarding good service, not an obligation in and of themselves. Clearly you wanted to make up for running a low dollar amount on a card, and that's awesome of you, but I think the karmic gods would have been fine with you teaching him a lesson, too.

Good for you for telling him off, though. In moderation, the dark side is a much healthier place to be. Though that may just be called "equilibrium."

barbarienne June 25 2013, 19:51:54 UTC

30% on such a short trip was only $1.80. My usual minimum tip, regardless of distance/time, is $2 + change--so if the charge is $7.50, I'll tip $2.50. When the base rate passes $8, then I put another $1 in, and add another $1 each $3 of base after that. I leaven it with "how likely do I think the driver is to get a return fare?" So in midtown Manhattan, I tip 30-40%; but if I've taken a cab out to the burbs, I'll add at least 50-60 ( ... )

safewrite June 26 2013, 04:13:38 UTC

Good for you.