Hail a Cab
You're stuck downtown in the pouring rain, you don't own a car because the parking is outrageous, your date is pouting in the corner, and it's imperative that you make it home... You need a cab! Here's one surefire method for getting that taxi fast.
Steps
- Position yourself on the sidewalk, close to the road, but safely enough to get the driver's attention. You don't want to be in the road where other cars may not notice you, thereby endangering your life, and possibly the life of others who may jump out to save you.
- Stand 'up-road' to other cab waiters. You can intercept a cab before it reaches them. Don't be too pushy about this; you don't know how some strangers may react and some may become angry. Stay relaxed if it doesn't work, you will have another chance to flag a cab.
- Make sure that the cab isn't occupied and that its top light (or whatever signal it uses to signify it's empty) is lit.
- Get the driver's attention. Flail your arms, shout, whistle, dance, do jumping jacks, it doesn't matter. The idea here is to divert the driver's attention away from the road and onto your desperate, soaking wet self.
- Flash some cold green cash or your card. Showing the cab driver you're already able and willing to pay will increase the chance that they will stop for you.
- Should a cab arrive, jump right in! Delay in your reaction time will only serve to frustrate the cabbie and will cause him to squeal off, leaving you still stranded and possibly late to your destination.
- Keep your future cab reputation good by refraining from obnoxious behavior while inside the cab. These include radio station preferences, sloppy stain-making foods, and unsavory conversation topics.
Tips
- You cannot hail a cab anywhere in the city of Los Angeles except for the downtown area and Hollywood. In all other circumstances, you need to call a taxi company or wait at a designated taxi stop.
- Keep in mind that not every city works the same. For example, waving down a cab in New York or other large city is acceptable, but suburbs outside big cities require you to call a cab. Waving at them will do nothing to get them to stop.
- Observe over time which cab companies seem to be the most accommodating (especially when you find yourself in major binds) and try to support them.
- Take note of the cab number! This can be of critical importance when trying to retrieve a lost item or reporting the cab driver if needed.
Warnings
- When using cabs in mainland Europe, be sure that the driver is clear about the paper currency you offer - if you offer a 50 Euro note, make it clear: "Here's a fifty" because it's not unknown for them to pull the old bait-n-switch trick, and it'll turn into a 10 Euro note before your eyes. This applies especially at night, when it's not easy to see clearly what denomination notes being used.
- If you hail a cab in a third world country, make sure there is a meter. If there is no meter, ask prior to departing how much the trip will cost.
Related Articles
- Ride the New York City Subway
- Ride a Public Transportation Bus
- Choose an Auto Transport Company
- Use Android to Call a Taxi
