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This is hilariously wrong. Almost every cab driver I ever rode with in Tokyo would talk to you unless you were talking to someone else, or seemed like someone

by jbm 5y ago

This is hilariously wrong. Almost every cab driver I ever rode with in Tokyo would talk to you unless you were talking to someone else, or seemed like someone who didn't want to talk. Even the one taking my wife to the hospital to give birth was being a television trope of a terrified stuttering teenager while he drove her there. (Despite that being a reservation with the situation being explained beforehand!) Yes yes, anecdotal. I've also read Japanese-language books by cab drivers (ex: https://read.amazon.ca/kp/kshare?ref_=r_sa_glf_b_0_hdrw_ss_AAAUAAA&asin=B00CRXWYZW&id=ihuasb4ccvf6bfccy2hx4bagru&reshareId=6MBMWR1NFWRZ94W20CK5&reshareChannel=system https://read.amazon.ca/kp/kshare?ref_=r_sa_glf_b_0_hdrw_ss_A...) and the idea does not come up — ever. So yeah maybe an issue in some parts of Japan but not in Tokyo.

ipnon 5y ago
I never let reality get in the way of making a good point. edit: The Japanese are also famous for treating foreigners and tourists differently.
mise_en_place 5y ago
Do people use the taxi a lot in Tokyo? I’d assume with all the traffic the JR or Tokyo Metro would be faster. I don’t live in Japan though.
- lmm 5y ago
  The trains shut down fairly early and there are no night buses (allegedly because of lobbying by the taxi union). In the daytime the trains are faster but only if there's a line where you want to go; if you need to change a taxi is often quicker.
- sfmike 5y ago
  Yes taxis are everywhere and easy to get by waving at any road. Also subway is great but for non adjacent to subway journeys they're a must. Also many get taxis when a bit tipsy versus subway. both are of course common. Also subway and then taxi at the end of station for the last 20 minutes instead of walking.
- jbm 5y ago
  If I had a family trip and it was raining or it was late, I would take the taxi from the station to my home. I also used the taxi to get home from Haneda - cheaper and easier than taking the train for 5 people with 5-8 bags.
gommm 5y ago
Not been my experience. I've lived in Kyoto and most drivers in Kansai would talk a lot and enthusiastically whereas in Tokyo, I've only had about 20% of Taxi drivers who tried to start a conversation.

by jbm 5y ago

ipnon 5y ago

I never let reality get in the way of making a good point. edit: The Japanese are also famous for treating foreigners and tourists differently.

mise_en_place 5y ago

Do people use the taxi a lot in Tokyo? I’d assume with all the traffic the JR or Tokyo Metro would be faster. I don’t live in Japan though.

lmm 5y ago
The trains shut down fairly early and there are no night buses (allegedly because of lobbying by the taxi union). In the daytime the trains are faster but only if there's a line where you want to go; if you need to change a taxi is often quicker.
sfmike 5y ago
Yes taxis are everywhere and easy to get by waving at any road. Also subway is great but for non adjacent to subway journeys they're a must. Also many get taxis when a bit tipsy versus subway. both are of course common. Also subway and then taxi at the end of station for the last 20 minutes instead of walking.
jbm 5y ago
If I had a family trip and it was raining or it was late, I would take the taxi from the station to my home. I also used the taxi to get home from Haneda - cheaper and easier than taking the train for 5 people with 5-8 bags.

gommm 5y ago

Not been my experience. I've lived in Kyoto and most drivers in Kansai would talk a lot and enthusiastically whereas in Tokyo, I've only had about 20% of Taxi drivers who tried to start a conversation.