Asshole Taxi Driver 1. Bob 0.

No trip to the east coast is complete without at least one bad cab experience.

Here goes.

I was able to pack six-days of clothing in two carryons. The downside to this miracle is that I have only one pair of shoes for the week. Said shoes started to fall apart on Monday. So last night after my last conference session I decided to go shopping. This meant that I would miss the conference shuttle and have to rely on cab to get back to the hotel.

So I flag down a cab who had just dropped off two elderly people. What follows is the dialogue.

Me: “You in service?”
Asshole: [Annoyed look].

Me: [Slower.] Are you in service?
Asshole: “Yes. Get in.”

So the asshole looks annoyed when I tell him where my hotel is. Basically it’s about 1.5 miles which translates to a $6 cab ride. Sorry Mr. Asshole but I’m not walking in Boston in this humidity while dressed like a monkey carrying my shoulder bag and a new shoes.

I get in the cab and Mr. Asshole spends the next two minutes bitching about the elderly couple that he just dropped off.

Great.

We arrive at the hotel and Mr. Asshole sees that I just pulled out a credit card.

Asshole: “You have ten dollar? You have cash? I keep change!”
Me: “Sorry. I never carry cash in the city.” (this is true)

Asshole: [Grumbles and activates the credit card screen.]

So I swipe my card and select the middle tip option ($3). Flashing on the screen I see this: “To receive receipt ask your driver to clear the meter.”

Me: “Can you clear the screen? I need my receipt.”
Asshole: “Card did not read. Swipe again.”

Me: [Reads screen to Asshole.]
Asshole: “Card did not read swipe again.”

Sigh. So I swipe again and see the same thing. I also realize that at this point I may have paid twice.

Me: “It says you need to clear the meter before I get the receipt.”
Asshole: “It is clear. Receipt broke. You done. You go.”

Me: “Then how come I see the fare and mileage on your meter?”
Asshole: [Angry voice] “You done! You go now!”

Fuck.

So I get out of the cab laughing and head to the lounge for a martini.

I could have flamed out on him but what good what that have done? I also could have called the number on the cab and “reported” him, however, I suspect that would have done little good.

I guess I’ll chalk this one up to a funny travel story. The downside is that I am supposed to have receipts for all work credit card transactions. Now I have to fill out the dreaded “Missing Receipt Form”.

Damn.

-BCP

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