Thursday, November 15, 2007

Manila - Flood, Traffic and Cabbies

I’m here in Manila since yesterday. I’m again expecting traffic, meetings and floods. With today’s outpouring, I’m sure the Manila streets will be flooded again today and in the next few days. Good thing we left the hotel early. We avoided the traffic and the flood. But I hope I won’t be stuck here. I have to go back to Cebu this Saturday to celebrate my birthday.

This morning we met an honest cabbie. Honest enough to tell us that his meter is not working properly and that we should only pay for the usual fare in our destination. I told him that from Malate to Paranaque, my fare is usually P150 though the meter reads only around 120-140 pesos. He agreed. He added that he informs his passenger beforehand about his defective meter to avoid arguments. But I told him that there is also the possibility that others could be fooled, so he’d better have his meter fixed asap. He said that he’ll do that once he has the funds.

In our conversation, I noticed his Bisayan tone. I was also trying hard to speak fluent Tagalog. We kept on pretending until he heard my companions speak Bisaya. He admitted that he’s Cebuano too. When we reached our destination, his meter reads P210. But I gave him the agreed fare, plus a little tip. No arguments there.

12 comments:

Abaniko said...

I think the meter was tweaked intentionally but the driver just cannot stomach the cheating so he told you the real score. That's so honest of him.

Lazarus said...

abaniko, yeah, maybe. but i give him the benefit of the doubt. he's the one who offered the info kasi.

vernaloo said...

still raining till now...I wonder when it will stop :)

Anyway I agree with Niko...maybe style yan hehe but good thing he was honest.

Anonymous said...

ako i usually give tips when i ride taxis. pero kapag alam kong nangdadaya siya, nang-aaway ako talaga.

mabait ang driver nyo.alam niyang may daya iyung metro niya at in-inform pa rin niya kayo.

Anonymous said...

verns, La niña na yata to. tuloy tuloy na ulan

kurokuro, nakapagtataka nga eh yung driver.

Anonymous said...

a breath of fresh air,that honest cab driver.

Gypsy said...

Oh wow, he sounds like the same taxi driver I had lst January when I returned to Manila from Davao, but if not, I'd be happy-because that means there is more than one honest taxi driver around! May his tribe increase!

Anonymous said...

i just wonder kung halimbawa di niya sinabi na may problem yung meter nya at 210 ang naging fare nyo, babayaran mo kaya? happy birthday lazarus!

Anonymous said...

You're lucky you have an idea how much the fare was for the trip. Paano na lang yung mga walang idea? In my opinion, he's just being careful he might cross the wrong kind of people...

Black_Mamba said...

In Manila, traffic is customary, floods are commonplace, and cabbies, well, mostly A-holes. You're lucky to have been driven by a RARE one lol.......

Happy birthday nga pala, advanced ba o belated???

tin-tin said...

buti sinabi na niya.

belated happy birthday! so how was your bday? :)

Forever59er said...

Why is it that 90 per cent of taxicab meters are busted? !