In defence of taxi drivers

Smashius_Clay

I live in Dublin City. I avoid taxis as much as possible, for the simple fact that I don't have a lot of disposable income, so admittedly my experience of conversations with taxi drivers is limited.

However, I have heard countless people casually refer to taxi drivers as 'racist'. This adjective is employed almost reflexively. And yet I have heard a taxi driver say anything racist. I've been living in Dublin for several years, I've gotten a fair few taxis, so why have I - a white, Irish male in this twenties - not witnessed the same diatribe that other people are convinced is commonplace?

Is anyone on here willing to say that, no, taxi drivers are not inherently racist, and it's deeply offensive to tar all who work in a particular profession with the same brush?

On the flipside, if people here have genuinely heard taxi drivers behave or speak in an especially racist way, then say so. But I do not believe taxi drivers are any more racist than security guards, bartenders or many other professions who are not slandered in the same way.

SunnyDub1

Smashius_Clay wrote: »

However, I have heard countless people casually refer to taxi drivers as 'racist'.

Those are the people that dislike Taxi drivers and will call them anything
just to make it seem like all taxi drivers are assholes :rolleyes:

thebigbiffo

I've had many a row with Nodin, so I'm by no means a staunch defender of the 'race card' - but in my experience, and I have a lot as I am a very regular user of taxis in Dublin, I do feel taxi drivers are more racist than the normal population.

TBF, I think there's huge competition in the industry and the influx of foreign drivers is going to cause some bitterness that may result in racism if the person is 'of race'.

tunedout

Smashius_Clay wrote: »

Is anyone on here willing to say that, no, taxi drivers are not inherently racist

Make sure and jump in with the Irish taxi drivers, them lads are the best for the oul racism.

keith16

thebigbiffo wrote: »

I've had many a row with Nodin, so I'm by no means a staunch defender of the 'race card' - but in my experience, and I have a lot as I am a very regular user of taxis in Dublin, I do feel taxi drivers are more racist than the normal population.

TBF, I think there's huge competition in the industry and the influx of foreign drivers is going to cause some bitterness that may result in racism if the person is 'of race'.

So everyone then?!

I have met a lot of sound taxi drivers but collectively, they don't do themselves any favours.

They have complete disregard for the RoTR and then wonder why their insurance is so high.

Sticking your hand out for a taxi that has a light on which then subsequently goes off is very fcuking annoying.

They way they handled themselves in the last year first with the "Irish flag" thing and then lobbying the government to buy back plates and offer "other drivers" retraining was nothing short of embarrassing.

As I say, plenty of sound drivers but as a whole, it is very hard to sympathise with their "plights".

Thoie

Smashius_Clay wrote: »

Is anyone on here willing to say that, no, taxi drivers are not inherently racist, and it's deeply offensive to tar all who work in a particular profession with the same brush?

On the flipside, if people here have genuinely heard taxi drivers behave or speak in an especially racist way, then say so. But I do not believe taxi drivers are any more racist than security guards, bartenders or many other professions who are not slandered in the same way.

I'm willing to say that taxi drivers are not a homogeneous mass, and not all are racist. I've met some absolute gentlemen taxi drivers - helpful, informative, erudite.

I've also met taxi drivers who are unkempt, ignorant, racist and surly. Some are shockingly bad judges of character, in that they think I'll agree with their racist rants, and get in a snit when I call them on it.

franktheplank

I'm not anti-taxi drivers but......

AnonoBoy

Taxi drivers mightn't be any more racist than any other cross section of people but folks interact with taxi drivers more than they would with security guards, cashiers in banks etc. so they get more chance to listen to the ramblings.

Where To

keith16 wrote: »

So everyone then?!

I have met a lot of sound taxi drivers but collectively, they don't do themselves any favours.

They have complete disregard for the RoTR and then wonder why their insurance is so high.

Sticking your hand out for a taxi that has a light on which then subsequently goes off is very fcuking annoying.

They way they handled themselves in the last year first with the "Irish flag" thing and then lobbying the government to buy back plates and offer "other drivers" retraining was nothing short of embarrassing.

As I say, plenty of sound drivers but as a whole, it is very hard to sympathise with their "plights".

Can't argue with that. A big part of the problem is, I think, the enormous sense of self entitlement a lot of taxi drivers have, they feel they are somehow owed a fantastic wage for as little effort as possible. When that wage isn't coming in, they blame everyone but themselves, and that's where the racism starts.

I Was VB

This thread is lacking a wanked out 1994 Carina, and a few space aliens and a zombie or something. Ya know the usual taxi bashing threads!

gurramok

Which taxi drivers are you referring to being racist, the white or black ones or both?!

Spook_ie

gurramok wrote: »

Which taxi drivers are you referring to being racist, the white or black ones or both?!

My taxi is Navy Blue I feel left out now not being a black or white taxi driver

Rasheed

I've never been in a taxi that that driver discussed race but I wouldn't have used a lot if taxis in cities, where maybe it's more if an issue.

I remember one day, my parent were coming to visit me one day in Dublin. They got into a taxi that they hailed on the street.

This young lad came running towards them roaring at them not to get it, that the driver was black etc etc. Mam got kinda upset when she sat in, apologising to the driver.

The poor fella just said he was used to it and didn't pass any heed. Why it would bother some person in the street, what car my parents got in to boggles me.

Anyway, if a taxi driver started talking crap about foreigners, I think I'd just ask him to shut up politely. Everyone is welcome to their opinions, just don't force them on me.

Spook_ie

I Was VB wrote: »

This thread is lacking a wanked out 1994 Carina, and a few space aliens and a zombie or something. Ya know the usual taxi bashing threads!

here y'go

http://www.zombietaxi.com/