Getting Around

Taking a taxi in Dubai is an experience in itself. You’re never quite sure if it will be a good one or a bad one, or if any type of seatbelts or speed limits will be involved. Many times when you ask how long a person has been living in Dubai, they will say “One week” or “Two weeks”. At first, I was like “Oh that’s nice. We’re new too.” Now I’m like…Ok take us to Sharjah please, and we can get another cab there. The “Oh we can figure it out together” Minnesota nice has quickly worn off.

Even though most cabs are metered, the routes chosen are not uniform. It is not uncommon for a trip that costs 20 dirhams one way, to be 60 dirhams on the way back. An extra hour to reach a destination is not unheard of, or even uncommon. There are a few cabbie culture shocks that I have experienced this week.

#1 Riding in a cab is a privilege not a service.

#2 Since Rule #1 applies, you will pay for time you spend in the cab regardless of the English, Arabic, or lack of reading ability that any cab driver may have/have not that delays your trip.

#3 If the cab driver does not know where he is going he will listen to anyone (other cab drivers, cell phone calls, people on the street) but you.

#4 If the cab driver gets you lost, you will still pay for the time you spend in the cab, afterall riding in the cab IS a privilege.