Back to Basics :: How to Hail A Taxi

Tired of stumbling around drunk between 2-4 am looking for a cab?  All you want is your bed.  Every pair of headlights that approaches gets you excited because you figure, "here it is", then...zoom! Blows right by you with 4 in it and you're screaming into the cold night air.  Never again, my friend.

Find one that's available. Think "All of the Lights":

It's all about the roof light, so look at it while it's approaching:

• Available Cab: Just the center number is lit and nothing else. Hail away!
• Occupied Cab: None of the lights are lit. This cab is already running a fare, so don’t hail it.
• Off Duty Cab: Both the center number and the “off duty” lights are lit. Though, sometimes I saw cabs that just had the “off duty” lights on without the center light on and they were still off duty. This cab isn’t picking anybody up. Don’t hail.

Here are possible combos:

The Execution:

• Stand on the side of the street that has traffic going in the direction you’re headed. 
• Find an ideal spot. Street corners are the best places to hail a cab. If you’ll be hailing cabs in New York City, download the Cabsense App to your smartphone. The CabSense app uses data from the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission to help you find the best nearby street corners to hail an open cab based on the day of the week, the time, and your current location.
• Step off the sidewalk and into the street a bit. 
• Stick your arm out like you mean it. 
• Don’t whistle or yell “Taxi!”  
• Look the driver in the eyes

Once you're inside:

• Give an address, not a name of a place. Don't act trendy.
• Tell the taxi driver from the get go if you need to make multiple stops. 
• No more than 4 people in a cab at a time. This is actually a rule in most states, so don't put the driver in a tough spot because you want to save a few bucks by adding an extra person. If you're calling the cab before you're going out with friends, tell them how many people are in the group. 
• Exit Curbside- Keep it safe
• People say Cabbies get 15%, I give 20%.  Sometimes more if they get me there quickly, leave me alone, and don't blare foreign radio while speaking Patois on their cell phone.

P.s. Open the door for her when entering/exiting :)


via theartofmanliness.com