You're standing on the corner trying to hail a cab and a black car (or random sedan) will pull up, wind down the window and ask if you need a taxi. It's usually

You're standing on the corner trying to hail a cab and a black car (or random sedan) will pull up, wind down the window and ask if you need a taxi. It's usually off-meter so the rate is negotiated/paid in cash. If you sound foreign (as I do), the rate is usually pretty high unless you argue it down. It's risky, tiring and makes you thankful for industry regulations that make licensed taxis a fair and predictable commodity service.