Manila

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2225149]A few months ago I had a regular white cab driver take me from Malate to Terminal 3. He tried to negotiate a rate rather than turn on the meter. I had already planned to tip him 70 pesos over the meter. But I told him, "I'll give you 50 over the meter. " "Okay. " he turned on the meter. He has no idea that he screwed himself out of 20 pesos.[/QUOTE]A couple of days ago, my car was in the shop, and here in Davao, where I normally drive my own car, I took a taxi. The taxi driver was charming, spoke excellent English, and was fun to engage in conversation. I asked him how much he had to pay each day to rent the taxi he drove. The response was either Php1,500 or 1,800, I don't remember. I asked how much each day he spent on fuel, to which he responded Php1,000. So, before a taxi driver starts his day, he knows that the first Php2,500-2,800 in fares will just go to cover his expenses. I then asked him how long he worked each day and he told me that he started at 5 AM and finished at 8 PM, every day.

Yes, cheating foreigners is morally wrong, but try to put the acts into context.

GE.

About two years ago I did a side trip to Cubao using LRT 1 and 2. Decided to take a taxi on my way back to Malate. It was rush hour around 4 ish and the driver ask for 100 on top of the meter. I said OK. The trip took us 3 hours and total cost was 280 if I remember correctly. I handed him a 500 bill and said he does not have change. I told him that I don't need the change. He smile and was very happy about it. On my part, it feels good to make someone happy even for just CAD $3.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2225250]Yes, cheating foreigners is morally wrong, but try to put the acts into context.

GE.[/QUOTE]I've asked many drivers the costs for renting / operating for the day. Some days the driver will lose at the end of the day (example: bad weather means fewer people standing / walking outside needing a taxi), and others he might make bank (a bit like farming). None of that (IMO) justifies cheating foreigners (which puts the Racism card in play) or anyone else. I would much rather the driver negotiate up front a higher-than-meter fare, or refuse to take me, rather than be surprised with cheating. I also recognize the culture in Phils is immature, and often condones lying / cheating; many people here would take the driver's side, hence a cultural divide.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2225152]Concur, when traffic is bad. But the last few days in Malate has seen very light traffic. In all of my examples, there was very light traffic. However there was wind and / or rain, and I think the drivers were just taking advantage. I believe I mentioned on the board in late July that I went to Intramuros one afternoon, there was heavy rain and traffic. Instead of asking for +50 (or similar) for the heavy traffic, that driver also attempted the no-meter gestapo tactics. My suggestion: keep quiet, and at the end of the ride hand the driver a reasonable fare, and walk away. He's not going to dick over any of that. I've been using this tactic for several years now. No driver is going to call the police (after not using his meter), and he can't get another fare without you departing his vehicle (if he won't take your reasonable amount, he can't get on to his next customer). He may be disappointed to get 200 instead of 500, but he lives to fight another day (fare). He also learns that applying the foreigner tax doesn't always work.[/QUOTE]I've had this happen to me a couple times, the driver doesn't turn on the meter after I've asked him to. So when we get to the drop off point I get out of the car and he usually complains. One time I called over the Police Officer on the street corner and told him, the driver didn't turn on the meter. The Police Officer told me if there is no fare, you don't have to pay! Hard lesson to learn for the driver but I told him to turn on the meter.

[QUOTE=Shark5;2225476]I've had this happen to me a couple times, the driver doesn't turn on the meter after I've asked him to. So when we get to the drop off point I get out of the car and he usually complains. One time I called over the Police Officer on the street corner and told him, the driver didn't turn on the meter. The Police Officer told me if there is no fare, you don't have to pay! Hard lesson to learn for the driver but I told him to turn on the meter.[/QUOTE]You are lucky that the police officer was honest and said the correct thing. He could have joined in with the cabbie to shake you down for 500 or 1,000 by saying that it was a crime to leave a cab without paying or something like that then sharing the "no receipt on the spot fine" with the cabbie.

That is why I almost always have them use the meter or take a grab, less room for argument.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2225421]None of that (IMO) justifies cheating foreigners (which puts the Racism card in play) or anyone else. I would much rather the driver negotiate up front a higher-than-meter fare, or refuse to take me, rather than be surprised with cheating. I also recognize the culture in Phils is immature, and often condones lying / cheating; many people here would take the driver's side, hence a cultural divide.[/QUOTE]I agree, it's not a justification and was intended solely as an explanation. Just as an aside, I'm told that the cheating doesn't happen often in Davao, where the penalties are severe and, I believe, imposed by the local government. I might have a chance to find out more about this as driving here is becoming ever more of a hassle, much the way it has been for years in Manila and Cebu. Davao streets are getting every more intensely clogged, and there's no obvious solution to the quick improvement of inner city transportation issues. The driving behavior is as insane as ever and it may make more sense soon to start taking taxis during the rush hour periods.

GE.

So I showered and rushed outside to see what I could find as this was my first time in Phils. It had started to pour and I was forced to huddle under some street corner shelter on the corner near Filling Station. This is in that Makati place. Maybe I'm posting in the wrong spot. Can someone help me move it. One of them offers a massage and I am totally shocked by how good this girl looks. She wanted 3000, I said how long, she said 1 or 2 hours, I said 4, she said OK, I asked how long till 9 am, she said 5000, I said OK. So we use her umbrella to back to the room and get comfortable. I told her I had stuff to do on my phone so could she just put her head on my thigh, play with her phone and me at the same time. She was happy and we stayed like that till she said she was hungry, so we went out. Ah, we didn't have condoms because she grabbed me within a minute of me walking outside and because it was raining. So we walked to the 7/11 and got them and I let her pay after handing her a 1000 and then at dinner I handed her more money and let her pay. Here (like an idiot) I started falling in love with her looks already and handed her some money said I wanted her to stay for a few days, maybe 3000. As you have guessed already, she had the money and now didn't need to stay, but I was fairly confident that I was nice enough and had enticed her with the thought is a generous 'idiot" for the next few days. Anyway, back to the room, did the deed, fell more deeply for her and started to snooze. At 4 am she said he mum had called and wanted her to come home and that now mum was not answering the phone. She said she would come back at 7 am and asked if it was OK. I knew what was going to happen but still hoped I could trust her. She left and never returned. She left her umbrella behind and I messaged her the next day when it was raining that I still had it and was using it but that she could come and get it. She texted back that she would like it but my reply was that she could as long as she gave me half my money back. Stupid, boring story, but just another lesson that I should have learned before.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2225421] I also recognize the culture in Phils is immature, and often condones lying / cheating; many people here would take the driver's side, hence a cultural divide.[/QUOTE]Does cultural maturity necessarily lead to honesty and straight-forward business dealings? Perhaps it's institutions that mature, not necessarily the culture. So institutional maturity, in theory at least, creates confidence among most members of society that the institutions operate as stipulated and are designed so that everybody gets more or less equal treatment. Yet there is evidence in the states that honesty is no longer an institutional requisite at some high levels. I've heard that the Washington Post is maintaining some sort of lie / fabrication count, and it ought to give us pause as to our own institutional maturity.

I agree that there is a sort of cultural divide in the moment when we Westerners experience these situations. When I am in one of these situations I get hooked by the cabbie trying to avoid using the meter when he and I both know the LTFRB rules. My own cultural "bias" toward lawfulness is why I get hooked. At that point I feel irritated and sometimes decide to teach the guy a lesson, such as screwing him out of the additional 20 pesos he would have gotten from my tip if he had simply turned on the meter. Other times I am willing to negotiate, recognizing that he may be facing problems with traffic or no return fare. So perhaps the behavior that doesn't fit culturally is my short temper, and maybe life feels better and lasts longer when we successfully absorb some of the laid back aspects of Filipino culture.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2225520] The driving behavior is as insane as ever and it may make more sense soon to start taking taxis during the rush hour periods.[/QUOTE]GE in 2018 I have only been using Grab cars, taxi and trikes. Last two years of riding motorbikes has taken its mental toll. I find I am in a much better mood at work and generally more productive. Compared to the cost of driving myself it I a little less convenient but the trade off is happiness and no accidents.

[QUOTE=SoapySmith;2225879]....
My own cultural "bias" toward lawfulness is why I get hooked.
......

So perhaps the behavior that doesn't fit culturally is my short temper, and maybe life feels better and lasts longer when we successfully absorb some of the laid back aspects of Filipino culture.[/QUOTE]Life here is a lot easier once you completely accept that the "rules" are merely suggestions.

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2225948]Life here is a lot easier once you completely accept that the "rules" are merely suggestions.[/QUOTE]There are many rules and laws. Reading them brings confidence. Until you realize that enforcement is non-existent or unfunded.

I would love to capture actions pictures of.

"Strictly No Smoking" signs surrounded by smokers.

"Motorcycle helmets must be worn" sign being passed by 5 person family on a scooter. Latest bub in mom's arms.

"Clark is now a plastic packaging free zone - 2016" and sit outside the Jollibee and every other food outlet.

Signs are suggestions or maybe aspirations.

P.S: [URL]https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/53867/Pea-Plastic-ban-in-Clark[/URL].

BD.

I understand and appreciate the situation, but that still does not justify cheating tourists / foreigners. I am perfectly willing to pay higher fares, let them raise the metered fare to something livable. Then you don't have to deal with this haggling and harrassment whenever you get into a taxi.

Speaking of higher fares, has anyone noticed Grab prices being substantially higher ever since uber left the market?

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;2225250]A couple of days ago, my car was in the shop, and here in Davao, where I normally drive my own car, I took a taxi. The taxi driver was charming, spoke excellent English, and was fun to engage in conversation. I asked him how much he had to pay each day to rent the taxi he drove. The response was either Php1,500 or 1,800, I don't remember. I asked how much each day he spent on fuel, to which he responded Php1,000. So, before a taxi driver starts his day, he knows that the first Php2,500-2,800 in fares will just go to cover his expenses. I then asked him how long he worked each day and he told me that he started at 5 AM and finished at 8 PM, every day.

Yes, cheating foreigners is morally wrong, but try to put the acts into context.

GE.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BrainDrain;2225944]GE in 2018 I have only been using Grab cars, taxi and trikes. Last two years of riding motorbikes has taken its mental toll. I find I am in a much better mood at work and generally more productive. Compared to the cost of driving myself it I a little less convenient but the trade off is happiness and no accidents.[/QUOTE]I get it, believe me. I want access to my own car just to retain my mental health, but I understand those who just refuse to drive here.

GE.

[QUOTE=Kazeu;2226104]Speaking of higher fares, has anyone noticed Grab prices being substantially higher ever since uber left the market?[/QUOTE]I noticed the high Grab prices right off. Not only are the prices high, but I usually have to wait for Grab while many taxis are passing by. Then to add insult to injury I almost missed my flight last week because I clicked the shared ride by mistake so he went to pick up other people during rush hour. E en by doing the shared option it was higher than a regular taxi would have been. Then I think if I would have gotten a solo Grab it was like 100 pesos more than the shared one.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2226134]I noticed the high Grab prices right off. Not only are the prices high, but I usually have to wait for Grab while many taxis are passing by. Then to add insult to injury I almost missed my flight last week because I clicked the shared ride by mistake so he went to pick up other people during rush hour. E en by doing the shared option it was higher than a regular taxi would have been. Then I think if I would have gotten a solo Grab it was like 100 pesos more than the shared one.[/QUOTE]I'd be happy if Grab doubled prices. That way there would be fewer riders chasing more drives and you would not have to wait as long.

Taxi is not an option if you want to get picked up in a residential neighborhood where cabs generally do not go to drop off people. Flagging one down on the street is impossible. If airport or major hotel pickup, cabs are a viable option and usually quickly available.

When I leave my block, there is often cabs arriving with a passenger and I can just get in right away. The cabbie is happy to have a fare with no dead time.

However to leave a place where taxi's don't go like to pick up a girl from her house to bring her here, Grab is the best option. Grab also lets me pay on my account so no issues sending cab fare to the girl ahead of time, and you can track her movements en route. I like to go downstairs and help them get through security.