What if he goes mad all of a sudden?
By whyaskq
@whyaskq (7523)
Singapore
June 22, 2007 1:17am CST
After a long wait under the hot scorching sun, a cab finally stop in front of me. As usual, I got into the cab, stated my destination, checked that the meter was running and then proceed to cool myself down. As the journey will take about 30 minutes, I closed my eyes to have a little rest. Suddenly the cabbie started ranting.
I opened my eyes. I realised he was angry at the radio program on air. I ignored him, however, I was on super top alert mode. Along the way, he kept mumbling and mumbling as if trying to catch my attention. In any other days, I might strike a conversation. This time, I did not as I was rather tired and somemore, he appeared violent. What if he goes mad all of a sudden?
The cabbie happen to be an elderly perhaps in his sixties. I contemplated getting out of the cab.
Friends, have you ever seen caught in such a situation? What will you do?
Talk to him?
Get out of the cab?
Call for help?
Continue to ignore him?
Start praying that you will reach your destination safely?
Kindly share your thoughts so I can be more prepared next time. lol. Thanks.
3 people like this
10 responses
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
22 Jun 07
No, I have not been in this situation. Thankfully.
But if I get into such a situation, I would just close my eyes and ignore that person. I am a PAYING PASSENGER, SERVE me WELL! :P
Chances are high that he will just finish ranting (and run out of steam) if I just ignore him. And of course, I would be silently hoping that I quickly reach my destination.
If things turn violent unexpectedly, I will just ask to alight there and then.
Even if he really go bonkers and the cab gets out of control, I will just slam the brake for me. I should think the handbrake is within reach.
If he tries to fight me, perhaps I will just slam his head against the cab window. If the window shatters, just too bad for the cab. Otherwise, that would render the cab driver senseless and I should be able to use the handbrake fine.
Then I will check to make sure I am still properly groomed and then leave the cab and go for my appointment. If I am still far from the place, I will hail another cab. Otherwise, I will just take a small stroll and enjoy my walk.
Cheers.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
22 Jun 07
Very imaginative, wizard. Thankfully, I reached safely. I break his 'chant' when I am about to reach the destination because he "nearly wanted" to make a turn and I do not know where that turn will lead to.
And no, the handbrake is not within my reach. I will just need to practice punching with my head to toughen my head just in case.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
22 Jun 07
whyaskq, you need to practise stretching forth your hand.
Thanks baby. :P
2 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
22 Jun 07
You didn't finish your story, bighead. What happened while the driver was mumbling. Were you able to reach your destination in one piece? "nasty grin"
Its fortunate that I haven't encountered anything like that. BUT I hated it when the driver kept staring at me through the mirror and started a "friendly conversation." I will pretend that I didn't heard him and played with my mobile. Eventually the driver will get the message that I don't like to talk.
If I were in your situation, I will ignore the driver, keep quiet and start praying too. If I begin to feel uncomfortable, I might tell him to drop me right away. I really don't know bighead.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
22 Jun 07
Sure I reached in one piece, otherwise you may miss me forever :PPP
I sit upright, did what you did - play with phone, so that any minute i can just make a call easily. The cab cannot stop half way becos we are on the expressway. When I reached my destination, I have the cheek to tell him "cool down" after taking my receipt. Courageous, right?
@samtaylorskykierajen (7976)
• Canada
23 Jun 07
I have never been in a situation like this so I don't know what I would do for sure but I think I would probably have tried to call someone on my cell phone if I was nervous so that if for any reason I could scream for help and at least someone would know there was a problem .
Thankfully everything was alright but you never know what could happen . Cabbies that go crazy are not something you hear about but you never know what can happen at any time . Hopefully you won't have to run into a situation like this again .
Take Care !!
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
22 Jun 07
LOL @ going bonkers! haven't heard that term in years.
I probably would just let him rant and rave and hope to God that he doesn't get angry and violent (which i'm assuming he might not) only because its a radio station he is listening too. I would lean back on the chair and soak in the aircon and just let him go on and on.
I have never been in a situation like this before however I have met lots of cabby drivers that are talkative and i don't mind conversing with them if I am not tired that is. Most of the time I do talk with them though.
1 person likes this
@bcl_me (582)
• Philippines
22 Jun 07
I would just keep on ignoring the man...he could gone mad but I do not think that he will some harm to another person so I'll just ignore him...it is no big deal...I will instead lough at him for being an old grumpy and crazy. I would really feel so sorry for him...he must have been into some situation that he could not find anyone to talk to...especially when you are cab driver...all you have to do is drive all day and could hardly interact with people. So, i'll just keep my fingers crossed and guess that he wont do any harm.
1 person likes this
@Bshivakumarchary (122)
• India
22 Jun 07
Yes I too has gone through the same situation during my journey to my uncles home.
The driver was driving the car carelessly and rashly.He was
enjoying that rash drive but I was not and asked him to drive carefully.
Then he played a music player and the volume was high .I got irritated and asked him to stop the musicplayer.I was waiting for my friends home to come and took a good breath than.
Its really a hard situation .......!!!!!!!!!
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
26 Jun 07
Fortunately, the few times that I've had to use a cab or bus, the drivers have been very friendly and courteous. I have had to deal with people like that when I was working in a convenience store, but I had the luxury of being able to tell them to leave the store. In your situation, you were more of a 'captive' audience. I think you did the right thing by not saying anything. It could've been that the old guy just wanted conversation or someone to vent at, but why take the risk? I think I would've combined the prayer, and requested to stop the cab so I could exit as quickly as possible. Then I would RUN! LOL
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
23 Jun 07
I would get out the cab.
If the driver was an idiot I'd make sure I got his I.D and name etc so I could report him and get his license taken away.
~Joey
1 person likes this
