Confessions of a Corporate Shopaholic

As I was chatting with friends today over lunch in Macau, my impression of a city is heavily influenced by its cab drivers.  Every single person will have a million (always horror) stories about cab rides somewhere, and it is exactly those 15 to 30 minute 1-on-1 encounter with a stranger that makes our lives so full and eventful. 

Hong Kong cab drivers have improved somewhat over the last 20 years or so.  The SARS period and the economic meltdown played a big part in toning down the temper of a few cab drivers.  The relatively intact public transportation network in the city also means that passengers have slightly more bargaining power when the alternatives are abundant.  I like this kind of co-dependency situation.  Yet I am completely sympathetic over innocent tourists still being gouged just because they look foreign or speak in another language.  I get so worked up over these scumbags tainting the image of our city.

Taipei cab drivers are very chatty.  I see it as a reflection of their friendliness culture.  They often ask me where I am from, what I am doing there and sometimes even comparing price levels of the two cities.  I guess most middle-aged cab drivers there are big fans of the many prime time political talk shows on TV.  I seldom run into cab drivers who don’t know exactly where he is going with the addresses provided.   So that’s good.

Bangkok cabs have plenty of reputation.  I don’t need to be rude at them, I just need to be forceful.  As long as the first 2 minutes of directions, meter pointing and mutual sizing up is past, I am usually relaxed for the 25 minute traffic jam.   Well, they almost never know where I am going other than the major tourist spots.  Apparently, local language instructions from the hotel doesn’t help either.  Great.   I was just lucky that I didn’t end up in Pattaya. 

Kuala Lumpar gave me one of the biggest headaches.  I am really hesitated to go back purely because of the city’s cabs.  I need to bargain, be rejected and almost laughed at.  The public transportation network wasn’t as established the last time I went, and hence I was quite discouraged to go out.   Sorry KL.

Singapore used to be efficient and predictable, but lately I can never hail any cab on the streets.   I was lining up with 10 other people for cabs to go to work from the Grand Hyatt stand, and after a hopeless 20-minute wait, the concierge politely asked me whether I would consider to call for one.  Why not?  Within minutes, an empty, not-for-hire cab who had been waiting by the curb for as long as I was standing there, pulled over to pick me up.  All that for the few dollars surcharge on top of regular fare.  Something is seriously wrong there.

One needs to be extremely fit physically to be in Shanghai.  There are always 50 people anxiously waiting for cabs with you on the same street at all times day and night, and everyone is picking their favorite strategic spots.  If you see one coming, just run along with the others toward it, regardless of whether it is occupied or not.   Just practice your elbow strength, vocabulary and running on heels before you land.  It will come in handy.  You think you will just wait patiently in lines outside hotels and shopping malls?  Tough luck, 49 people are hailing around the corner to make sure you will keep standing there till eternity.  And what’s with the locals always picking the front seat even when they ride alone?  Sorry, I have serious intimacy issues.

How can I leave out Macau?  I hopped on one this afternoon with my friends and we were going to this Portuguese restaurant with only an address.  The driver started driving with zero response.  “Do you know where it is?” No response.  So I asked the second time.  “Only if that is where you are going!”, he responded dismissively without looking at me.  Pardon me?  What have I done to offend you? 

It’s because of cab mentality like this in Macau, that I am glad I played a part in negotiating the city-wide free guest shuttle bus services my company built from scratch for our various properties.  Otherwise, there will not be any customers setting foot in our billion dollar investments.

Cheers.