Are you sure you know where???

Last evening during the peak hours, (between 5pm and 8pm), near Amara Hotel, I picked up this young male passenger, and he sat in the front passenger seat.

"Hello Uncle, can you fetch me to Cheong Chin Nam Road?"

"Good Evening to you, sure, of course" and I started off.

Driving past People's Park along New Bridge Road, he asked me if this was the way to go. I said yes, we have to turn left into Havelock Road now, and after that right, into Zion Road. And as we drove past Great World City, he asked me again,

"Uncle, to Cheong Chin Nam Road, you know, right?"

"Yes, of course."

I then proceeded towards Paterson Road, then Scotts Road and keeping left into Stevens Road. Then as I made a left turn into Bukit Timah Road, the young man once again asked, "Uncle, you sure you know where right?"

I replied "Yes my man, don't worry, are you having an appointment with your friend and what time would that be?"

"About 7.30pm, and now already 7.10pm I don't want to be late you know."

I answered "I will bring you there on time, take it easy, by the way, have you ever been to this place before?"

"I think so, but can't quite remember exactly where, but you know right?"

"Of course, of course, that's the place where you are going to have your dinner right?"

"Yes sir, for a moment I thought you might not know where, because you just said okay and that's it, when I told you where I wanted to go. I am sorry, I was doubtful because you were so confident when other taxis which I took before, asked a lot of questions about this road."

I laughed and said, "This place you are going to, happens to be one of my favourite food joints and I usually patronise El Azhar Restaurant just before I go home, nearly everyday."

"Hey, that's where I'm meeting my friend, I should have mentioned the name of the joint instead of guessing and wondering if you even knew the Road, sorry, sorry"

"No, no, I should be the one to say sorry because I knew this popular food road and I should have told you earlier on instead of making you feel so apprehensive and doubtful."

We both laughed and after he paid me the fare, he asked if I would like to come and join him. I thanked him for being so kind but I had to go on working first.

"Enjoy your dinner, bye!" and I left to continue working, at the same time thinking, that was an interesting passenger....

The Taxi Driver...

Many a time you hear people saying... "what? your so and so is a taxi driver?" or "how come he is now driving a taxi? I thought he is..." or "one day you will end up as a taxi driver like your..."

Let me tell you this, I think this is the Best retirement job you can ever get, provided you also love driving.

Number one, you are your own boss.

Number two, you have your own office, fully air-conditioned.

Number three, you don't owe anybody a living.

Number four, people from all walks of life need your services, and you always stand out in the crowd, and so much more.

Most importantly, Taxi drivers are also people who earn a decent living for themselves and for their families. They also put in a lot of hard work to give passengers a safe ride everyday, and although there are 'bad sheeps" within their lot, it does not mean that all of them are the same. This sort of "the good, the bad and the ugly" human beings, strives in all manner of society wherever and whoever they may be. Okay, phone is ringing, got to go and join my buddies for coffee and chit chats.....

Be careful and be considerate too...

Sometimes when I stop at a zebra crossing, I get to see all kinds of pedestrians crossing it, and one of the most stupid things I noticed is that of people talking on their handphones while crossing without even a care in the world, chatting and laughing and to top it all, they tend to walk very slowly taking their own sweet time oblivious to everything around them, especially the long queue of vehicles waiting for them to cross, and this sort of pedestrian flow is usually continuous and looks unending until such vehicles in front of the queue starts to try passing through them which is of course, very, very dangerous, (You can never know if these drivers are hot tempered or impatient drivers) and this can result in unnecessary serious accidents.

There is also another classic but foolish attitude of some pedestrians crossing roads thinking that vehicles approaching them would surely see them crossing and slow down or even stop for them without realizing that the opposite can also happen, that is, the drivers maybe driving too fast or may be looking away from you or simply did not notice you at all until it is too late. These sort of scenario is very common everywhere along our roads and I say it is a great mistake to presume or take for granted that we are untouchables. We are only human, we make all sorts of mistakes in our everyday lifes, but we must also know that we need to continue learning all the time. I have experienced and seen many many accidents on the roads, with some people suffering minor injuries and many others lying dead on the roads and ultimately, the whole family will have to suffer.

We Singaporeans are generally known to be a "Kiasu" lot, but how come we still continue to try to ignore the dangers that is everywhere on our streets and roads and even the highways? I think it is most important for everyone of us to be or try to be considerate at least......

My taxi is not Raffles Hotel Long Bar

Another time, I fetched this English lady, I think in her mid thirties, who wanted to go from Bugis taxi stand to Pandan Valley. From the start of the journey she kept eating peanuts after breaking the shells and at first I did not know where she threw the husks, I presumed in a paperbag. I told her please not to eat in the taxi. She kept quiet for a while and then said "Its only peanuts!" sounding annoyed. Another one of those unreasonable things. I told her "Ok, make sure you don't dirty my cab" 
She just ignored what I said and looked the other way. Arrived just outside Pandan Valley Condo she asked to stop, paid the fare and walked off quickly before I can even say thanks. Anyway, I started driving away, just then I thought, have a quick look at the backseat and to my horror and dismay, I saw peanut husks strewn all over the seat and on the floor. What a lousy thing to do. If she was still around, I could have told her that my Cab is not Raffles Hotel's Long Bar. Had to stop by the roadside to clean up the mess she left in the cab feeling rather sore about it. Next time, I will learn how to say "NO" politely and promptly......

Still my duty to inform...

One day, I picked up this passenger along River Valley Road, near Mohd. Sultan and he wanted to go to Sim's Drive. As I began driving, I reminded him to put on the seat belt. He could not be bothered and said "Ah...nevermind lah" I told him that if he is caught without the safety seat belt on, it is an offence and he can be fined. He replied "When I am caught then talk", I said "Let me remind you that I have requested you to put on your seat belt in case you are caught, it is my duty to let you know ok?" Again he brushed me off saying "Just drive me there and if I get caught its my own business!" I knew we'll get no where with his kind of attitude so I just kept quiet and drove him to his destination. He paid the fare and said "See? No problem".

Kiasuism in all of us...

Driving a taxi, and on the road everyday allows me to witness the 'KIASU' attitude in all of us. For instance, if I pick up a passenger along the left side of the road, and I have to cut out to my right in order to turn right or make a U-turn at the traffic junction just down the road, it can be a hazardous and frustrating experience. First of all, even with my indicator on to show intention to move out to the right will meet with vehicle coming from the right behind you 'honking' away to stop you from trying to do so, and also not wanting to give way even though the traffic lights in front is showing red. It happens so often when I chance upon a potential passenger down the road, I often get beaten by a faster moving taxi on my right cutting across my path to stop and pick up that passenger ahead, and as I drive pass him, the driver will simply pretend looking to his left to avoid eye contact, something like, 'I don't know, I did'nt see you' or 'you lose I win' sort of action. Then there is this other type of driver whose vehicle also stop right behind yours at the traffic junction awaiting the lights to turn green and as soon as it does, he will straightaway 'honk' at you to 'move quick'. This is really irritating at times and more so when he overtakes you, he will still turn his head in your direction to give you another sort of stupid look. Parking your vehicle at an empty parking lot can also bring unexpected confrontation as in 'hey, I am here first' or 'this place is reserved, can you see that tin can over there?' as he drives his vehicle close to yours. There is totally no courtesy, most of the time, without any indications but that kind of 'idiotic' manner that tells you 'No way!'. Singaporeans' driving attitude is terrible 'maybe there is something wrong somewhere in our upbringing' that, there is always this show of "Kiasuism" in our behaviour on the roads as well as in our daily lives............

a woman full of "zest"

While cruising along Hougang Ave 8, at about 10pm, I picked up this elderly woman in her 70's near Street 61. "Hello" and she nodded her head as she got into my cab, seated herself, then shut the door very slowly and asked me to send her to Jurong East Street 13 in Hokkien.

"Ho" I replied also in Hokkien (meaning yes or ok) and started driving. I asked if she was going home and she said "Si-ah" (yes). Its so late, I exclaimed, and she told me that she had been playing 'mahjong' with her friends since 1.00pm that afternoon. I asked if she won some money and she said "Boh lah, tah pai su" (No lah, always lose) like today she lost nearly $400/- dollars, and from then on, she kept talking non-stop all the way without me having to ask her further questions. She sat up and spoke very steadily, about her adventures on board casino ships, Genting Highlands casino and also in gambling dens, other than that, her friends would always invite her for 'mahjong' sessions in their homes. She told me that she is very lucky to have very filial and good children, all 6 of them married, (3 boys and 3 girls), and all of them earn very high salaries. Every month, her children would give her so much money, thousands of dollars, and allowed her to do whatever she likes to do as she pleases. She says she is still fit and strong, and lucky not to have old age illnesses, so just carry on and enjoy what she likes to do, gambling.

"Aiyoh" and heaved a big sigh, only one regret, I don't know how to save money, how to? I am simply addicted to all kinds of gambling. I always lie to my children that I usually go visit my friends for tea, for chit chats or go for short sightseeing trips, but I think they know I try to hide what I do. Still, my children don't question me, but tell me to take care and go ahead enjoy myself.

I told her that she is indeed very lucky and truly blessed to have good children and can lead such a lifestyle and how I wish I can be in her shoes. She smiled and said, "My lah, my lah, boh ho lah, mm tung teh!" (Don't, don't follow, no good) and we both started laughing away as we arrived at her destination. She gave me $20/- "SSHHhh...Gia lah, gia lah!" (Take, take!) as she started to alight.

I said "Kum siah, kum siah, sio sim, sio sim!" (thank you, thank you and careful, careful!)

We waved and I made sure she walked safely to her lift landing before I drove off. Wow!! what a spritely and energetic woman she is, as I drove off, still thinking of what she told me........... I think the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

uneasy feelings

Sometimes driving a cab and looking for potential customers can be quite tedious especially in remote areas such as Tuas, just after dropping your passengers in that area during the night time. There is not much point in cruising around such places because there is hardly anyone looking for a cab at this time, so, very often we just turn around and head back to town where there is more life. This is one of many reasons why most taxis try to avoid fetching passengers there. Another downside is that, you would be wasting quite a lot of time travelling back to town without any passengers. Moreover, there is this uneasy feeling that the unexpected can happen anytime in such dark and quiet areas. Still, when you are parked at a taxi stand anywhere, waiting for passengers, you cannot refuse them and have to go where they wish, as you have no choice. I have sent many passengers, especially foreign workers to shipyards and factories faraway, but not too often, and so far, there has not been a single problem that I faced, (touch wood), unlike that of an unfortunate woman cabby who was found murdered and lying in her cab one night in the Tuas area . Her murder is still not solved till this day.

More Caucasian missions accomplished.

I was still thinking of the incident with the previous caucasian while driving off from Tanglin Mall when a fat looking, also caucasion man knocked on my door. I wound down the door window and he said, "Could you fetch me to Four Seasons Hotel?" I said "Sure, hop in".

"Thanks, please open the boot, my bags?" I immediately released the boot catch, came down and assisted him with 3 of his bags into the boot. He then got into my cab together with his wife, who is also as plumb as him. 
As I started to drive, he said "Wow, Singapore has changed so much since the last time I was here, about 12 years ago. I was living at Upper Thomson Road and those days, it was not as crowded and the pace was very much slower and the people then were more of locals and much more helpful and friendlier than now."

"Yes, but now the population has grown to 5 million with more mixture of foreign expats and new citizens. See, the roads now so congested and look at the people walking around, so crowded. Yes, yes Singapore has changed quite a bit, where do you live now?"

"I am at present working in Kuala Lumpur and back here to do a bit of shopping and now I find goods here more expensive."

We soon reached his hotel, the metered fare was $5.15. "Oh, just give me $5 will do."

"No, no, no here's $6.00 thank you" said the wife.

I thanked her and got down to help unload their bags from the boot. The man shook hands with me and said "Thank you again".

I thanked him too, then got into my cab when the hotel doorman asked if I wanted to fetch some passengers to the Night Safari. I said "Sure, ok." and this family, the father from Kenya, the mother from Canada with their 3 young daughters then boarded my taxi. It was around 7.20pm when we left the Hotel lobby heading towards the Zoo. This trip with the family was pleasant and most interesting as I repeatedly joked with them that they were indeed an international as well as nomadic family, we were all laughing. We continued chatting and I learned that the father and mother used to live here for 1 1/2 years, and before that in many other countries and currently living in Sydney, Australia since 2003. We arrived at the Night Safari at 7.45pm the metered fare was $20.40 and I just asked for $20/-. We waved goodbye as I continued driving away from the Zoo... What a satisfying and spectacular day it was for me as I sped off towards Bukit Panjang to 'seek' my well deserved coffee break and maybe dinner?........

The Caucasian mission accomplished.

I had just dropped a passenger at Bugis Village when I spotted another waving to me near junction of Rochor Road and Queens Street, I immediately stopped to pick him up. He was a caucasian and looked to be in his late forties.

"Hello" I said as he boarded my cab.

"Hi, could you please bring me to Tanglin Mall by the quickest route possible, I need to get there by 7pm".

"OK, I'll try my best, if I were to turn left and go by Bencoolen Street, there is the ERP charge of $2.00 at this time but then it may be faster to get you there by 7pm."

"Oh, its alright, ERP charge no problem, just go by the fastest way, I have a very urgent and important appointment with my wife."

As I looked at my watch, it was exactly 6.45pm, I said "Meeting the wife for dinner?"

"No, an important meeting".

I then drove steadily through Bencoolen Street towards Orchard Boulevard amidst tight traffic conditions and finally reached the taxi stand at Tanglin Mall.

"We're here, and you still have 5 minutes to spare, time now is 6.55pm."

The metered fare was $10.30 and he straightaway handed me $12.00 and said "Keep the change, thank you, thank you so much, that was great driving, you just saved me from a possible ugly 'TIFF" with my wife. Thank you, great driving!" and gave me a 'thumbs up' sign.

"Its my pleasure, take care and good luck!" as he rushed off. I then proceeded towards the taxi stand at Orchard Towers feeling very good and happy that I've helped someone in a small way. Mission accomplished.