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Black taxi drivers

  • 21-09-2009 2:21am
    #1
    Spore
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,123 ✭✭✭Spore


    How comfortable are you with a black Irish industry?

    Tonight I passed by Barcode Nightclub in Clontarf and I couldn’t help but notice that the entire taxi line was composed of black taxi drivers. I’ve also noticed that the entire College Green taxi rank is now black. I was just wondering what the greater Irish public felt about this niche of Africanised industry? It’s obviously pushed many an Irish taxi driver to state his Irish provenance by placing some sort of Irish sign in their taxi plate.

    Basically I just wondered how ready are we to accept an obviously un-Irish niche of industry in this country. It’s not uncommon for foreign workers to ‘colonise’ an industry e.g. Vietnamese dry cleaners in America, Chinese restaurants in Parnell St, Irish navvies in England etc. etc.

    Thoughts?
    Tagged:


«13456

Comments

  • #2
    minidazzler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,739 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    I will use any taxi if I am going to a place where I know the way.

    If I don't know the way I will generally use an Irish Guy because of one bad experience when a black taxi driver dropped me off in totally the wrong area.

    I am not racist, but it makes sense to do this because Irish Taxi drivers are more likely to know the streets they have been living on for the last 20+ years.


  • #3
    Lord Nikon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭Lord Nikon


    Being a taxi driver, all i here is other drivers giving out about black taxi drivers.

    Honestly, to me, it looks like their profession of choice in this country. i wonder why?


  • #4
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    I really don't think the colour of their car should enter into it. Some of my best friends drive silver Passats...


  • #5
    Kalashnikov_Kid
    Closed Accounts Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Kalashnikov_Kid


    Has been done to death before.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=2055670845


  • #6
    Lord Nikon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭Lord Nikon


    Robbo wrote: »
    I really don't think the colour of their car should enter into it. Some of my best friends drive silver Passats...

    Hint : Read the post :)


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  • #7
    mattfender
    Closed Accounts Posts: 602 ✭✭✭mattfender


    Spore wrote: »
    How comfortable are you with a black Irish industry?

    Tonight I passed by Barcode Nightclub in Clontarf and I couldn’t help but notice that the entire taxi line was composed of black taxi drivers. I’ve also noticed that the entire College Green taxi rank is now black. I was just wondering what the greater Irish public felt about this niche of Africanised industry? It’s obviously pushed many an Irish taxi driver to state his Irish provenance by placing some sort of Irish sign in their taxi plate.

    Basically I just wondered how ready are we to accept an obviously un-Irish niche of industry in this country. It’s not uncommon for foreign workers to ‘colonise’ an industry e.g. Vietnamese dry cleaners in America, Chinese restaurants in Parnell St, Irish navvies in England etc. etc.

    Thoughts?

    I was just there earlier...trying to get in for the last bit with my mates cos we were bored:pac: I also noticed this. Still a few Irish men though. I find the african lads are great crack, always in a good mood. most irish taxi drivers barely talk to ye sometimes


  • #8
    Kalashnikov_Kid
    Closed Accounts Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Kalashnikov_Kid


    neuromancer wrote: »
    Being a taxi driver, all i here is other drivers giving out about black taxi drivers.

    Honestly, to me, it looks like their profession of choice in this country. i wonder why?

    Because taxi driving is a low-level skill and a virtually unregulated industry in Ireland.


  • #9
    m5ex9oqjawdg2i
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭m5ex9oqjawdg2i


    Are the white Africans ok though? Do they bother you at all?


  • #10
    pikachucheeks
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,488 ✭✭✭pikachucheeks


    Robbo wrote: »
    I really don't think the colour of their car should enter into it. Some of my best friends drive silver Passats...

    I came in here to make a similar joke, damn you!

    The first time someone mentioned the notion of a "black taxi" to me, I actually thought they were referring to the colour of the car.

    My drunk friend was going mental, insisting it was dangerous to get into a "black taxi"

    "Shut up, we'll get into a cab that's any colour! I want to go home!"


  • #11
    brendansmith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    I believe in 1 people, 1 love!

    I dont see colour, only integrety.

    Peace!


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  • #12
    F4Fake
    Registered Users Posts: 44 ✭F4Fake


    I love black taxi drivers. They talk so much less than regular taxi drivers.


  • #13
    Maqnus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 90 ✭✭Maqnus


    they're all different


  • #14
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    neuromancer wrote: »
    Honestly, to me, it looks like their profession of choice in this country. i wonder why?
    It's an industry noted for welcoming immigration and competition with open arms?


  • #15
    Sea Sharp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭Sea Sharp


    I will use any taxi if I am going to a place where I know the way.

    If I don't know the way I will generally use an Irish Guy because of one bad experience when a black taxi driver dropped me off in totally the wrong area.

    I am not racist, but it makes sense to do this because Irish Taxi drivers are more likely to know the streets they have been living on for the last 20+ years.

    The majority of African born taxi drivers I've driven with had a GPS.


  • #16
    seanybiker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,898 ✭✭✭✭seanybiker


    Robbo wrote: »
    It's an industry noted for welcoming immigration and competition with open arms?
    1 armed people are unwelcome?


  • #17
    Lord Nikon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭Lord Nikon


    Is it true they get a grant to get a car?


  • #18
    Spore
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,123 ✭✭✭Spore


    Olive Millions Hornet wrote: »
    Are the white Africans ok though? Do they bother you at all?

    Never expressed 'botherment' of race, merely tried to provoke a debate about an 'un-Irish' industry taking hold in Ireland (and by 'un-Irish' I mean obviously not native born) hope this thread won't turn into a race issue...


  • #19
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    neuromancer wrote: »
    Is it true they get a grant to get a car?
    You're the one who claims to be from the industry. Enlighten us.


  • #20
    seanybiker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,898 ✭✭✭✭seanybiker


    Spore wrote: »
    hope this thread won't turn into a race issue...
    Ah pooh. I just put me runners on and all.


  • #21
    Sean7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 634 ✭✭✭Sean7


    I was on the lash with a friend of mine and we ended drinking with some absolute headcases, I wanted to get away from them but she kept saying to stay in the pub. They invited us to a house party and she said "Yeah, let's go" so I murmured under my breath and went along with it. It was pissing rain and we hailed a taxi, it stops and we start to pile in. Then one of the headcases shouts "**** that black fella we'll get the next one". Had to get out and wait in the rain for the next one to come along as he explains how "Them blacks will rob ya blah blah blah..." Was a **** party too.
    Personally I don't care about the colour of my taxi driver as long as he knows where to go when I ask. Had to direct an Irish cab driver to the Blackpitts (Just off Clanbrasil St.) before, literally every turn because he couldn't find it on his ****ing SatNav!
    They should regulate the amount of licenses they give out though. The city is packed with taxis.
    F4Fake wrote: »
    I love black taxi drivers. They talk so much less than regular taxi drivers.

    They don't talk to you, they just talk to some other guy on their bluetooth headsets.


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  • #22
    pikachucheeks
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,488 ✭✭✭pikachucheeks


    To answer the question, I have no issue with getting into a "black taxi".

    Whatever regulated cab arrives first, is the cab I'll get.

    So long as the taxi driver is a licensed cab driver and knows how to get me home, I don't care what colour his/her skin is.


  • #23
    minidazzler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,739 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    GaNjaHaN wrote: »
    The majority of African born taxi drivers I've driven with had a GPS.

    Yeah I know, but when you are going out the back of beyonds they don't tend to work very well.

    (I was going to Glanmire, I was drunk, so technically it might have been my fault.)


  • #24
    Senna
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,800 ✭✭✭Senna


    I usually only get taxi's when i'm full drunk and at that stage i couldn't careless who the driver is. If s/he gets me home, thats their job successfully completed.


  • #25
    Lord Nikon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭Lord Nikon


    Robbo wrote: »
    You're the one who claims to be from the industry. Enlighten us.

    I wouldn't be asking the question if I knew the answer.

    Somewhat off topic, but Ireland looks to be a dumping ground for asylum seekers, and they get treated better than Irish folk.

    Some asylum seekers drive taxis too.


  • #26
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,504 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    Black taxi, white taxi...who cares? As long as it's not a 1988 Nissan Sunny with the seats falling out, I don't care.

    EDIT: Yes, I am an automotive racist.


  • #27
    Esel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,498 ✭✭✭✭Esel


    Sh!te thread. I was expecting something about Black Taxis a la Belfast. :eek:

    Not your ornery onager



  • #28
    Santa Claus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,699 ✭✭✭Santa Claus


    neuromancer wrote: »
    Is it true they get a grant to get a car?

    Are you actually for real with that question or are you just trying to feed the trolls ?

    There are no grants for the purchase of cars by anyone, be it commercial or personal.


    The only thing I check when getting into a taxi nowadays is that they have the yellow sticker from the regulator on the window with their permit on it....it's all too easy to buy a roof sign and put it on the top of your car !


  • #29
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    neuromancer wrote: »
    I wouldn't be asking the question if I knew the answer.
    You're quite obviously not a taxi driver then. I believe that one of the first parts of the PSV exam is how to ask a leading rhetorical question and follow it up with an ill-informed diatribe. Get out, you charlatan.


  • #30
    Lord Nikon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭Lord Nikon


    as a taxi driver while not working, i notice alot of black taxi drivers crawling along hoping to get someone into there car, and turning in the street to drive past people. Sad tbh.


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  • #31
    Lord Nikon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭Lord Nikon


    Robbo wrote: »
    You're quite obviously not a taxi driver then. I believe that one of the first parts of the PSV exam is how to ask a leading rhetorical question and follow it up with an ill-informed diatribe. Get out, you charlatan.

    Your basing your assumption on what proof that I am not a taxi driver.


  • #32
    Kalashnikov_Kid
    Closed Accounts Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Kalashnikov_Kid


    neuromancer wrote: »
    as a taxi driver while not working, i notice alot of black taxi drivers crawling along hoping to get someone into there car, and turning in the street to drive past people. Sad tbh.

    Blame the lack of legislation in this country, not his race! It is far too easy to become a taxi driver in Ireland. Blame the government for that, not 'de fardiners'.


  • #33
    OPENROAD
    Registered Users Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    Taking over the place


    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/data?pid=avimage&iid=iKuRNK.FRVb0


  • #34
    Rabies
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,258 ✭✭✭✭Rabies


    Ahhh... good auld racist Ireland raises her ugly head again.


    Still can't move on


  • #35
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    I'm a taxi driver myself (Irish) and it's insane the amount of people that skip "black" drivers on the rank and when hailing them down.
    I do feel awful when I see it happen but I suppose Irish people are like that.
    Maybe it's to do with different nationality being successfull


  • #36
    civis_liberalis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,772 ✭✭✭civis_liberalis


    I couldn't give ****e who they are, but having said that I am from Galway and would always know where I'm going.

    If I had to take a taxi in Dublin I would have to make sure the driver knew exactly where it was he was bringing me to first, because I probably wouldn't have a notion.


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  • #37
    brendansmith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    Rabies wrote: »
    Ahhh... good auld racist Ireland raises her ugly head again.


    Still can't move on

    Haters gonna hate.

    Love is the only way forward.

    Peace!


  • #38
    brendansmith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Maybe it's to do with different nationality being successfull

    Think you may be on to something here.

    The success of the black taxi driver in Ireland is unparalleled. :)


  • #39
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    Who says Irish people know were there going


  • #40
    Chucky the tree
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    neuromancer is basically summing up perfectly why I'd rather get into taxi with a black driver instead of a white Irish one.


  • #41
    brendansmith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,526 ✭✭✭brendansmith


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Who says Irish people know were there going

    *wear
    *Deyre

    Take note!


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  • #42
    seanybiker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,898 ✭✭✭✭seanybiker


    A few months ago meself and the lack where in town with a friend. We decided to get a taxi back to the friends house for some more beer.
    Got into a taxi and the driver was a non national. Nice chap. Anyways we start heading towards me ones house and she decides to shout at the driver, telling him that he was taking the long way around and going on about "how all ye blacks are the same".
    I turned around and wanted to punch her in the face for being a bitch. We where in fact going the right way and he brought us the exact same way I use when driving myself. Go along a few side streets, miss all the traffic and no traffic lights etc.
    She wouldnt accept that and thought I was only being nice because I was drunk. The taxi chap allowed me to give his satnav back to the cheeky
    bitch in the back of the car, to prove
    the man was actually going the
    cheap and quickest
    way. I made her apologise to the poor chap and all. Then when we got to the house meself and the lack stayed in the taxi talking to the nice chap till he got his next call. He was delighted with the chat and told us a few stories of why he came here etc etc.
    Splendid service I must say.


  • #43
    Doc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,670 ✭✭✭Doc


    This is crap I thought this was going to be about the London style black taxi cabs. I love them 5 in the back and you face each other so you can chat away as you’re taken wherever.

    Imagine you where a black man who was born and grew up here and some drunken dope wouldn’t get into your cab because you where black but decided to wait for the white guy in the cab behind you who was from Eastern Europe.


  • #44
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    What are you talking about


  • #45
    carlop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,611 ✭✭✭carlop


    Chucky the tree wrote: »
    neuromancer is basically summing up perfectly why I'd rather get into taxi with a black driver instead of a white Irish one.

    There's nothing worse than having to endure some racist gobshyte of a taxi driver go on about 'dem fcukers from over there' for half an hour and then pay the pr1ck for the privilege.

    There have only been two taxi drivers who left me thinking 'he was a sound bloke' in the last year, and neither was Irish


  • #46
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    Doc wrote: »

    Imagine you where a black man who was born and grew up here and some drunken dope wouldn’t get into your cab because you where black but decided to wait for the white guy in the cab behind you who was from Eastern Europe.

    Exactly. Some Irish people are just idiots


  • #47
    mikemac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    carlop wrote: »
    There's nothing worse than having to endure some racist gobshyte of a taxi driver go on about 'dem fcukers from over there' for half an hour and then pay the pr1ck for the privilege.

    Sorry but that's your fault. Nobody forces anyone to endure a taxi driver. If you talk (why talk to them unless it's directions :confused:) then to tell them to drive and you're in no mood for talking.
    Same goes for the radio, I get them to turn it down/off most times. The taxi should have a card and it mentions a "quiet and peaceful journey" or words to that affect. So speak up

    As for the reason they are skipped.
    Irish drivers pass a garda vetting test but I'm sure there a few criminals driving taxis also, no system is perfect.
    If an applicant presents themself from Africa how exactly are the gardai going to do a background check?
    It's a new country and a new life and if they were a convicted criminal they certainly won't be telling the authorities here.


  • #48
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,306 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    Same vetting process for Irish people if we did the same in there country. Every taxi driver does not know everywere just like ppl in other jobs get help from colleagues


  • #49
    seanybiker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,898 ✭✭✭✭seanybiker


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Every taxi driver does not know everywre just like ppl in other jobs get help from colleagues
    Thats it exactly. Apart from me. I know everything.


  • #50
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    neuromancer wrote: »
    Is it true they get a grant to get a car?
    No, they don't get a free car


  • #51
    Jet Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,845 ✭✭✭Jet Black


    mikemac wrote: »
    Sorry but that's your fault. Nobody forces anyone to endure a taxi driver. If you talk (why talk to them unless it's directions :confused:) then to tell them to drive and you're in no mood for talking.
    Same goes for the radio, I get them to turn it down/off most times. The taxi should have a card and it mentions a "quiet and peaceful journey" or words to that affect. So speak up

    As for the reason they are skipped.
    Irish drivers pass a garda vetting test but I'm sure there a few criminals driving taxis also, no system is perfect.
    If an applicant presents themself from Africa how exactly are the gardai going to do a background check?
    It's a new country and a new life and if they were a convicted criminal they certainly won't be telling the authorities here.

    What they do in the airport before you get a pass is they require you to get this from your home country.
    A guy from china i worked with had to wait three month's for one. He had to contact his local police in china and had to pay himself for one. If you are required to be checked before you get your taxi licence they may have a similar system.

    Re the black taxi..
    Once the taximan know's where he's going and wont try and rip me off i could not care what colour he is.


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