Comments on: Along for the Ride, Just the Ride

By: Almost Slowfood

Almost Slowfood — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:07:36 +0000

Living in NYC, I take taxis, ride the bus, the subway and I definitely walk… a lot! With baby girl in tow, we find ourselves striking up conversations with so many different people! The other day, the entire back of the bus, protected baby girl while I ran up to the front to retrieve my forgotten metro card. Such is life in NYC:)

By: Meredith

Meredith — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:25:30 +0000

Taking cabs when we visit NY is always part of the experience. Nice post here. Thanks.

By: g

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:02:58 +0000

My husband speaks Yoruba, one of the languages from Nigeria, and also West African pidgin English. Whenever we ride taxis, if the driver appears to be African, my husband starts up a conversation – asking what city he is from, asking after his family, etc. It’s usually quite interesting.
And if you do the math and figure out a taxi for two or three is sometimes comparable to the subway, depending on your destination – well, it’s worth it.

By: Jen Haupt

Jen Haupt — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:21:29 +0000

As always, enjoyed reading your post Ruth. I can’t wait to read your new novel! And, BTW, I’m with Sarah: I love talking to cab drivers and learning about where they came from and why they’re driving a cab. But I’m a freak for talking to all strangers — must be the reporter in me.

By: sarah henry

sarah henry — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:50:24 +0000

on the rare occasion i’m in a cab i enjoy engaging in a chat with the driver.
they’re usually originally from somewhere far away and have intriguing insights into the culture they came from and the alien one they’re now inhabiting.
i hope this kind of communication isn’t lost to us now because of the wonders of the wired world.

By: Vera Marie Badertscher

Vera Marie Badertscher — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:35:16 +0000

One answer is that they aren’t speaking in English on the cell phone and they can’t speak enough to talk to you.
Be happy you don’t get the garrulous cabbie a friend got many years ago in Manhattan. He was very, very drunk, and she finally jumped out of the car when he paused–fleeing for her very life.

By: SimplyForties

SimplyForties — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:27:09 +0000

The last time I was in New Orleans all the cab drivers were talking about the aftermath of Katrina and how terrible everything was. It was enlightening and heartbreaking.

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:38:28 +0000

Yes, Ruth, sad but true. I remember having a taxi driver years ago and actually singing along with him when we passed a certain Broadway theater where a popular show was playing. It was such a fun ride. But lately? I don’t even get an answer when I get into the taxi and say “hello.”

By: Jennifer Margulis

Jennifer Margulis — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:07:22 +0000

I envy you the Broadway shows and restaurant splurges but I do think people need to be kinder to each other, make eye contact, and turn off the music. Still, I wager that taxi drivers in New Orleans are WORSE than in New York!

By: Linda Unger

Linda Unger — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:41:59 +0000

Love the taxi rides and the drivers! First and best introduction to the city. Last summer when we visited NYC, our cab driver couldn’t have been more gracious with his time and comments…until he got a cell phone call.