HOW SAFE IS TAXI DRIVING FOR WOMEN?

I have been a cab driver for three years. My training consisted of riding around for a couple of hours with another driver - the 'trainer'. I didn't feel that this was sufficient, so I rode with a couple of other drivers as well. I didn't have any preconceived ideas of what to expect as a cab driver other than that I expected to be treated politely and I treated my passengers and co-workers the same way.

If a passenger touched me, I slammed on the brakes and demanded an apology. As I recall, it happened twice and both were drunks. The first one I put out on the curb and his trip finished very short. The second arrived at his destination full of remorse. Both times I got my apology and I also got paid for the rides. I do not permit my passengers to be offensive.

When asked about my personal life, I answered briefly and asked the same question of them. For example: “Do you have a family?” “Well, yes I do. How about you?” “Are you married?” “Any children?” “Do you ever shop at K-Mart?” “Where did you get that cool tattoo?”

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