<![CDATA[Comments on: Taxi Culture in China]]> Dear Amber, we have a special 'taxi' edition. We educate you on everything taxi: from nabbing techniques to safety to price and beyond. These aren't no checkered cabs. Sketchy, perhaps... Please visit us too in the comments section to share your experiences and tips.]]> 2008-12-26 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: darylk]]> Great lesson.  I'll take the light colored cabs to heart. It also seems that some institutions/universities have contracts with certain companies. When I am a guest of a local Shanghai university, I'm always told to get only into certain cabs.  Am I right in inferring that the university has a special deal with only certain cab firms?

]]> Great lesson.  I'll take the light colored cabs to heart. It also seems that some institutions/universities have contracts with certain companies. When I am a guest of a local Shanghai university, I'm always told to get only into certain cabs.  Am I right in inferring that the university has a special deal with only certain cab firms?

]]> <![CDATA[By: pretzellogic]]> I know this isn't the best place for this question, and I suspect it's been asked and answered multiple times, but if a subscriber wanted to drop by cpod's offices, would we need an appointment or something?  Could we just literally show up and say, "hi, i'm so and so, and I just thought I'd drop in?"

]]> I know this isn't the best place for this question, and I suspect it's been asked and answered multiple times, but if a subscriber wanted to drop by cpod's offices, would we need an appointment or something?  Could we just literally show up and say, "hi, i'm so and so, and I just thought I'd drop in?"

]]> <![CDATA[By: sushan]]> If you are in a taxi war with someone a nice way to resolve it is find out if you can share up to a certain point.

]]> If you are in a taxi war with someone a nice way to resolve it is find out if you can share up to a certain point.

]]> <![CDATA[By: JasonSch]]> Also, there's the issue of a cab driver purposely going the long way to increase the fare. In SH, if you think this has happened to you, you can call the number (on the reciept?) and if the pick-up location and drop-off destination don't match up to an appropriate cost, the company will come to you and reimburse you the difference. Now that's service. (Just remember to get the 发票)

]]> Also, there's the issue of a cab driver purposely going the long way to increase the fare. In SH, if you think this has happened to you, you can call the number (on the reciept?) and if the pick-up location and drop-off destination don't match up to an appropriate cost, the company will come to you and reimburse you the difference. Now that's service. (Just remember to get the 发票)

]]> <![CDATA[By: gulam]]> Well Frederick, we welcome visitors, but please contact us beforehand to arrange an appointment.

Usually we recommend Wednesdays or Fridays, late afternoon hours because those are our recording days and you will even get to meet our pod show(s) host(s).

If you have any questions, please email us support@praxislanguage.com

]]> Well Frederick, we welcome visitors, but please contact us beforehand to arrange an appointment.

Usually we recommend Wednesdays or Fridays, late afternoon hours because those are our recording days and you will even get to meet our pod show(s) host(s).

If you have any questions, please email us support@praxislanguage.com

]]> <![CDATA[By: RJ]]> darylk,

I dont know if there are special deals with the cab companies but I doubt it. Hosts will often recommend certain color cabs to protect you from being ripped off. I have gotten the same advice at times. We couldnt get a cab one night and I noticed a string of Red or burgundy cabs just sitting there so I figured hey so what if they charge more. As soon as I got in the driver informed me that it would be 100 RMB to my destination - no meter. I got out and eventually found a different cab. The meter charge ended up being 20 RMB. I dont know how they make money though. Like I said they were just sitting there because nobody wants to use them. I also took one of the unofficial cabs from the airport once. I could see the meter spinning. They saw me watching it so they slowed it down. It ended up costing me 400 RMB and it is usually 160 to my hotel. I wonder how much it would have been had I taken my eye off the meter again. The other thing that made me uncomfortable was that there were two drivers. I was alone and was hoping I wouldnt  have to try out what little I have learned on kung fu pod.  At least I know the way and could tell they didnt veer off course. Since then I choose to wait in line. Over all though the cab drivers are great. Its always an experience. Cabs seem to have the right of way everywhere, even on the sidewalks. Its such a feeling of empowerment.

]]> darylk,

I dont know if there are special deals with the cab companies but I doubt it. Hosts will often recommend certain color cabs to protect you from being ripped off. I have gotten the same advice at times. We couldnt get a cab one night and I noticed a string of Red or burgundy cabs just sitting there so I figured hey so what if they charge more. As soon as I got in the driver informed me that it would be 100 RMB to my destination - no meter. I got out and eventually found a different cab. The meter charge ended up being 20 RMB. I dont know how they make money though. Like I said they were just sitting there because nobody wants to use them. I also took one of the unofficial cabs from the airport once. I could see the meter spinning. They saw me watching it so they slowed it down. It ended up costing me 400 RMB and it is usually 160 to my hotel. I wonder how much it would have been had I taken my eye off the meter again. The other thing that made me uncomfortable was that there were two drivers. I was alone and was hoping I wouldnt  have to try out what little I have learned on kung fu pod.  At least I know the way and could tell they didnt veer off course. Since then I choose to wait in line. Over all though the cab drivers are great. Its always an experience. Cabs seem to have the right of way everywhere, even on the sidewalks. Its such a feeling of empowerment.

]]> <![CDATA[By: chanelle77]]> Someone told me the "cage" was to protect the driver from spitting customers. Is this an urban legend?

Compared to Beijing, Shanghai (and Nanjing) taxi drivers are so much better and more friendly I think. Personally, I only had bad experiences there. I find the taxi drivers in Sh and Nj very friendly, polite and they do not try to rip you off as there Beijing colleagues do. I find them arrogant and for instance do not even bother to give you back your change and assume you tip them.

When taking a taxi, I also try to practice my Chinese. One day a Nj. driver appreciated this so much he insisted on goving me a discount: unbelievable! That was touching. Yesterday in Sh I had a singing taxi driver, also nice for a change! ;-)

]]> Someone told me the "cage" was to protect the driver from spitting customers. Is this an urban legend?

Compared to Beijing, Shanghai (and Nanjing) taxi drivers are so much better and more friendly I think. Personally, I only had bad experiences there. I find the taxi drivers in Sh and Nj very friendly, polite and they do not try to rip you off as there Beijing colleagues do. I find them arrogant and for instance do not even bother to give you back your change and assume you tip them.

When taking a taxi, I also try to practice my Chinese. One day a Nj. driver appreciated this so much he insisted on goving me a discount: unbelievable! That was touching. Yesterday in Sh I had a singing taxi driver, also nice for a change! ;-)

]]> <![CDATA[By: light487]]> Thanks for this one! I will most definitely need this kind of thing for my trip next year! :)

]]> Thanks for this one! I will most definitely need this kind of thing for my trip next year! :)

]]> <![CDATA[By: amber]]> I have to say, being in New York City makes me appreciate cheap Shanghai cabs all the more!  However I do find it hard to adjust to giving instructions/directions in English... my cabbie frames of reference are all Chinese!

]]> I have to say, being in New York City makes me appreciate cheap Shanghai cabs all the more!  However I do find it hard to adjust to giving instructions/directions in English... my cabbie frames of reference are all Chinese!

]]> <![CDATA[By: mayor_bombolini]]> Overall, I found the drivers in China to be great, and very willing to listen my bad Chinese.  They are typically patient and good people for conversation practice. 

I had one weird experience.

I missed my connecting flight at Pudong Airport and needed to get over to Hongqiao Airport.  The taxi queue was about a 45 minute wait and I would miss my connection.

This was the one time I actually sought out the dudes that hang out in the garage that give illegal rides.

The driver quoted me something almost reasonable, like maybe 250RMB.  When we got to Hongqiao he wanted $100 US.  I argued for a few minutes.   

He had my bag in the trunk, the clock was ticking and he wasn't budging.  He had sneakily not gone into the airport but stopped in a (I think a restaurant) parking lot just outside the airport with access to the airport stairs...so there were no officials around.  

He just waited me out, figuring I'd have to pay up or miss my flight. I finally paid up, and put that experience in the "live and learn" column.

 

]]> Overall, I found the drivers in China to be great, and very willing to listen my bad Chinese.  They are typically patient and good people for conversation practice. 

I had one weird experience.

I missed my connecting flight at Pudong Airport and needed to get over to Hongqiao Airport.  The taxi queue was about a 45 minute wait and I would miss my connection.

This was the one time I actually sought out the dudes that hang out in the garage that give illegal rides.

The driver quoted me something almost reasonable, like maybe 250RMB.  When we got to Hongqiao he wanted $100 US.  I argued for a few minutes.   

He had my bag in the trunk, the clock was ticking and he wasn't budging.  He had sneakily not gone into the airport but stopped in a (I think a restaurant) parking lot just outside the airport with access to the airport stairs...so there were no officials around.  

He just waited me out, figuring I'd have to pay up or miss my flight. I finally paid up, and put that experience in the "live and learn" column.

 

]]> <![CDATA[By: Jerid421]]> Amber,

Are you still living in NYC? I am freshly back from China and living in Brooklyn. I'm always looking for someone to "shuo" with. ; )

Jerid

]]> Amber,

Are you still living in NYC? I am freshly back from China and living in Brooklyn. I'm always looking for someone to "shuo" with. ; )

Jerid

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> I don't think Amber comes here any more I'm afraid. I sent her an email the other day, and she's still in New York though. Seemed quite happy to be away from chinese-related work for the time being!

]]> I don't think Amber comes here any more I'm afraid. I sent her an email the other day, and she's still in New York though. Seemed quite happy to be away from chinese-related work for the time being!

]]>