A Taxi Driver's Chat Guide

Taking a taxi in Beijing is absolutely a worthwhile thing. Not because the taxis are so cheap, but because you never know how funny the driver you encounter will be - or rather, you never know if the next driver will be even funnier.

Most of Beijing's taxi drivers are locals. They inherit the fine tradition of Beijingers' witty humor, and they don't take life's hardships seriously at all. Even if they live a hard and difficult life, they still enjoy themselves. Moreover, they all have an entertainment spirit of "I'd rather share my happiness with others than keep it to myself." The more people there are, the more they love to crack jokes. The more you cooperate or show that you're willing to listen, the more energetic they become. They can keep talking until you get out of the car and still not want to stop - thus, Beijing's taxi drivers can be regarded as role models in the service industry, treating customers like close buddies with their excellent attitudes.