Be thankful for what you have...

Picked up a young mother carrying her few months old baby at United Square taxi stand. She wanted to go to Lorong Ah Soo which is off Paya Lebar Road. As soon as she settled down, her baby started to cry. You wouldn't believe it, the baby continued to cry, shriek, wail non-stop from the start of the journey till she reached her destination. Her piercing cries did not even weaken to a whimper but was continually very strong and loud. The young mother did not even try to soothe or quieten her baby but just sat there dreaming or in a daze as I peeked at her through the rear mirror from time to time. At long last, we arrived at her apartment. She paid her fare and said "Thank you" and I quickly said thank you too as she alighted.

As I drove off, the cries of the baby kept ringing in my ears and for quite a while too. I think the young mother must be totally absorbed in her thoughts or maybe in a difficult marital problem or, maybe... While thinking about it, came another woman cradling her baby at the same time holding the hands of her young, maybe 3 or 4 year old daughter, trying to flag my cab by nodding her head, using body language. I read and stop to pick them up.

"Hello" I said, no reply, "Where do you wish to go?"

She looked around and at the back also and hurriedly said "Quick Uncle, fetch me to Seng Kang". It was around 6.30pm.

"Okay" and off I went. Along the route, I asked, "Is there a problem ma'am?"

She replied and told me she was temporarily seperated from her husband who is jobless and cannot maintain the family, moreover very violent. She feared for the safety of her children. Her husband has been stalking and hounding them and she is afraid.

"Did you make a police report or a restraining order to safeguard yourself and your children?"

"No, not yet, this harrassing just started last week, I left our home about a month now and presently staying in my auntie's house."

"Oh, I see, how are you going to resolve your problem?"

She spoke very good english and sounded intelligent enough. She said right now she has not decided what to do, still very confused, but she wants to go look for a job first. She stopped working after giving birth to her first daughter and had not been working since then. I sympathised with her and told her to take care of herself and her children as we reached her aunt's apartment. She paid the fare and said "Thank you, bye"

"Thank you, take care"

I parked my taxi at a parking lot nearby to have a smoke, as well as to rest a while. Sometimes we think we have problems but other peoples' problems overwhelm us, be thankful for what you have.........

sometimes you, sometimes me...

Quite often you meet up with the "silent one". I would always wish them first like "Hi" or "Hello" as they board my cab. "Hougang Ave 8" or "AMK Ave 10" or somewhere else would be their straight forward "answer". I'll ask "Going home after work?", no reply, just total silence. I will know instantly that he/she wants peace and quiet and so I shut up and just drive. Sometimes you get rude remarks like "Please don't talk, just drive" or "Concentrate on your driving, don't talk".

Then there is the opposite type, very chatty, inquisitive and very loud. "Uncle, how's your business today? sure got many customers... wah ! weather very hot, why don't rain? Uncle, how much can you make a day? What time do you start and what time do you stop? Where do you live, wah, so far!" question after question, they don't seem to end.

In this case I do a reverse action, "Why are you going to this place? must be to meet girlfriend? You must earn a lot of money. What do you work as?" and so on, at least you get to hear answers which are more interesting. I am generally an easy going and friendly person. I can get along with anybody anytime and usually, in a very short time, we can keep chatting and laughing as though we were old friends.

In the English horoscope, I belong to the sign of the 'twins' Gemini and also, I was born in the year of the 'monkey' that makes me a mischevious, talkative, friendly and very active person. Incidently, I am also a nocturnal creature, because I hardly sleep in the night. I go to bed about 9 or 9.30am in the morning and wake up about 3 to 4 pm each day, this has been going on for, I think 15 years already. I first started getting involved with the computer and surfing the net about 3 years ago. I became very addicted to playing Backgammon, with players from all over the world and am presently a rated player. I still play the game but not as often.

It was in 2008 when I decided to blog but then I had the bad luck of being struck down with Auto-immune pancreatitis for more than a year. I have recovered and now restarting to become a "freshie" blogger.

Facing our fears

We taxi drivers also have a "fear", unlike other "fears" as in trouble, getting into unexpected confrontations, being cheated, being robbed, being beaten up, and much more, but for us, the greatest "fear" is not being able to get any passengers for a long period of time at all, no matter where we wait or how hard we peel our eyes just trying to look out for potential customers as we cruise everywhere. These sort of situations happen to all taxi drivers from time to time, and we have come to the conclusion that it is mainly due to "luck." Imagine counting your day's takings after a hard day's work not amounting to the sum needed for your daily needs. Of course sometimes we get passengers here and there but, for very short trips far and in between, and the fares, usually around $3/- and this is most frustrating, tiring and also very boring............

For me, I have experienced very difficult times when the SARS epidemic broke out. It was really frightening. At times, driving around just to earn enough to pay the taxi rentals was simply impossible. Recently, with the outbreak of the virus H1N1, the same dreaded thought of facing a similar crisis loomed. Fortunately for us, it is not anything like SARS, and so, we are back on our daily grind......... Courage is not a lack of fear but the ability to act while facing fear.....

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.