5 ms·

> Try to sit in the front seat of a cab in the US, which would be typical in Germany - in the US the cab driver will yell at you, or show his weapon. That's fu

> Try to sit in the front seat of a cab in the US, which would be typical in Germany - in the US the cab driver will yell at you, or show his weapon. That's funny because the first time I took a cab in Europe (being from Europe) I thought I was supposed to sit in the backseat because I had seen it so many times on TV before. I am still somehow annoyed by this because I prefer to sit alone in my thoughts and enjoy the ride than having small talks with the driver.

lispm 10y ago
The function of a driver may be different. In the US he would transport you and the chance that he speaks English or knows the town well is not so high in some cities. ;-) In Europe the cab is also a communication hub. You expect that he/she knows the town and lots of stories...
- pvg 10y ago
  Europe is really big. As is the US. You're trafficking in exactly the same stereotypes and myths you're complaining about. And no, no cab driver in the US would pull a gun on you for trying to sit in the front seat.
  - lispm 10y ago
    > You're trafficking in exactly the same stereotypes and myths you're complaining about. I'm not complaining. I'm just showing you that stereotypes and myths exist everywhere. > no cab driver in the US would pull a gun on you I tried that in Boston (not New York, as I thought to remember). The driver was EXTREMELY nervous then and didn't let me sit in the front. The cab was shitty and there was a thick transparent shield between the backseat and the front. Something you would never see in Germany.
    - pvg 10y ago
      I'm not complaining. I'm just showing you that stereotypes and myths exist everywhere. Ok, I'm complaining, cause they're bad :) The driver was EXTREMELY nervous Sure, but he didn't pull a gun on you. I've had more guns pointed at me in Europe than in my (undoubtedly sheltered) subsequent life in the US.
  - coldtea 10y ago
    >And no, no cab driver in the US would pull a gun on you for trying to sit in the front seat. Try doing that in certain neighborhoods and not looking very white and trustworthy. If the driver even stops for you, that is.
coldtea 10y ago
>I am still somehow annoyed by this because I prefer to sit alone in my thoughts and enjoy the ride than having small talks with the driver. You can sit in the back just as well, there's no rule you need to sit on the front. Most sit in the back.

lispm 10y ago

The function of a driver may be different. In the US he would transport you and the chance that he speaks English or knows the town well is not so high in some cities. ;-) In Europe the cab is also a communication hub. You expect that he/she knows the town and lots of stories...

pvg 10y ago
Europe is really big. As is the US. You're trafficking in exactly the same stereotypes and myths you're complaining about. And no, no cab driver in the US would pull a gun on you for trying to sit in the front seat.
- lispm 10y ago
  > You're trafficking in exactly the same stereotypes and myths you're complaining about. I'm not complaining. I'm just showing you that stereotypes and myths exist everywhere. > no cab driver in the US would pull a gun on you I tried that in Boston (not New York, as I thought to remember). The driver was EXTREMELY nervous then and didn't let me sit in the front. The cab was shitty and there was a thick transparent shield between the backseat and the front. Something you would never see in Germany.
  - pvg 10y ago
    I'm not complaining. I'm just showing you that stereotypes and myths exist everywhere. Ok, I'm complaining, cause they're bad :) The driver was EXTREMELY nervous Sure, but he didn't pull a gun on you. I've had more guns pointed at me in Europe than in my (undoubtedly sheltered) subsequent life in the US.
- coldtea 10y ago
  >And no, no cab driver in the US would pull a gun on you for trying to sit in the front seat. Try doing that in certain neighborhoods and not looking very white and trustworthy. If the driver even stops for you, that is.

coldtea 10y ago

>I am still somehow annoyed by this because I prefer to sit alone in my thoughts and enjoy the ride than having small talks with the driver. You can sit in the back just as well, there's no rule you need to sit on the front. Most sit in the back.