> I don't think many taxi drivers in the US respect their own work
For me, taxi driving was a game: "I wonder who I'm going to meet today..." One of my passengers had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He didn't win - I picked him up at the homeless shelter. He was going to work, and was almost back on his feet...
Sometimes passengers remembered me.
Sometimes passengers provided the rest of the story for things I'd been wondering about, or confirmed 'tall tales'. Like the bartender who confirmed that the visiting NBA basketball players really did come into his bar that night... Months before, the other night driver on our little team had said, "YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO WAS IN THE CAB LAST NIGHT!"
> and society for sure doesn't make them feel respected. Respect seems to be much tighter coupled to monetary success and I can't say I'm free from that.
Plenty of my passengers let me know that they appreciated us.
Taxi driving has traditionally been a rough occupation. Drivers used to carry a lot of cash, and were seen as targets for thugs who were desperate for money. Cash isn't as common as it used to be, so taxi drivers don't have to project as much "toughness" as they used to.
I was always looking for a bigger picture, so I guess my experiences in the cab reflect that.
For me, taxi driving was a game: "I wonder who I'm going to meet today..." One of my passengers had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He didn't win - I picked him up at the homeless shelter. He was going to work, and was almost back on his feet...
Sometimes passengers remembered me.
Sometimes passengers provided the rest of the story for things I'd been wondering about, or confirmed 'tall tales'. Like the bartender who confirmed that the visiting NBA basketball players really did come into his bar that night... Months before, the other night driver on our little team had said, "YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO WAS IN THE CAB LAST NIGHT!"
> and society for sure doesn't make them feel respected. Respect seems to be much tighter coupled to monetary success and I can't say I'm free from that.
Plenty of my passengers let me know that they appreciated us.
Taxi driving has traditionally been a rough occupation. Drivers used to carry a lot of cash, and were seen as targets for thugs who were desperate for money. Cash isn't as common as it used to be, so taxi drivers don't have to project as much "toughness" as they used to.
I was always looking for a bigger picture, so I guess my experiences in the cab reflect that.