I have a new best friend……
My journey to work has taken a new twist – I am being stalked! Not by some weirdo in a grey mac, or love smitten bimbo (chance would be a fine thing!) but by a taxi driver!
It all started some time last week, when waiting patiently at the taxi rank, waiting for a ride to work, that my new mate rolled up and I got in. I gave my usual Konglish directions and pointed the way, just in case he was one of those “I don’t go South of the river, mate!” kind of guys. Off we went, and he started to jabber away to me in Korean. I pointed out I didn’t speak much Korean, but this fact was clearly lost on him. He carried on rattling away about something or other, and I just kept nodding in agreement and saying “yeah” every so often as if I knew what he was on about. This went on for the whole ride. I decided to call him Johnny Cab.
My journey to work has taken a new twist – I am being stalked! Not by some weirdo in a grey mac, or love smitten bimbo (chance would be a fine thing!) but by a taxi driver!
It all started some time last week, when waiting patiently at the taxi rank, waiting for a ride to work, that my new mate rolled up and I got in. I gave my usual Konglish directions and pointed the way, just in case he was one of those “I don’t go South of the river, mate!” kind of guys. Off we went, and he started to jabber away to me in Korean. I pointed out I didn’t speak much Korean, but this fact was clearly lost on him. He carried on rattling away about something or other, and I just kept nodding in agreement and saying “yeah” every so often as if I knew what he was on about. This went on for the whole ride. I decided to call him Johnny Cab.
It is usual practice to pay a little extra 1000KRW, about 50p in English, as the ride out to the complex has few return passengers. I duly paid up my cash, and got out the cab. He headed off into the morning sun, I headed into the plant thinking nothing of it.
Next morning, I was walking towards the taxi stand to collect my morning ride, and I heard a horn blip a few times behind me. It was Johnny Cab! For those who don’t know who Johnny Cab is, he is a robotic taxi driver from the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Total Recall. This character, talks inanely about everything and anything, and doesn’t shut up. It seemed that this was a good description of this guy.
We headed of for the plant, and sure enough, the chatter started up and carried on for the whole ride. I could understand if he wanted to try and practice English, or perhaps try and teach me a bit of Korean, but no, this was events such as what he had for dinner last night, what was on the telly tonight, and where he was going at the weekend, or so it seemed, as I didn’t have a clue what he was on about. Even then numerous time I gestured I didn’t understand what he was saying, or made a small gap between my thumb and fore-finger and said “Aneyo Korean”, which means no Korean, it made no difference whatsoever. I paid for the ride and got out, thinking I must have met the strangest taxi driver in Korea.
Next morning, I headed once again down to the rank. Once again, I heard a blip-blip of a car horn. He was behind me again.
Dear Agony Aunt, I think he’s lying in wait for me now, and I’m getting worried! What should I do?
I would leave for work earlier and see if you can't shake him for a week. Maybe he will take the hint and pick someone else up. Don't you hate when a guy just can't take a hint.
ReplyDeleteSamantha
Yikes Colin .... if it weren't so scary it would be flattering .... maybe you are paying him too much, what if you just paid him the posted price sans extra??
ReplyDeleteIt's an Asian thing - he sees a business opportunty! Do a deal on a weekly/monthly basis and you get a pick up at a regular time, he gets a guaranteed fare. He will probably throw in taking you home when you sms the time. Oh, and buy some earplugs...!
ReplyDeleteBlister ;-))