What Can You Learn From A Taxi Ride?

Aside from the feeling that we might not survive the journey, discovering the fare is far higher than expected, realising the driver has no idea where he is going because he is the brother “helping out for a few hours”, or wondering whether this is even a real taxi…

We can actually learn quite a lot from a taxi ride.

Some of the most informative conversations you can have in another country are with taxi drivers. In a short journey, you can pick up insights that would otherwise take days to discover.

• Local customs and everyday practices

• What people really think about politics and current issues

• Practical dos and don’ts

• The best local restaurants (not just the tourist ones)

• What people do in their free time

• Places to avoid

  
  

But there’s another benefit that often gets overlooked.

A taxi ride is also a great opportunity to practise how you communicate with others in the country. Ask yourself:

• Are you adapting your style to the situation?

• Are you slowing your rate of speech?

• Are you avoiding jargon and using simpler words?

• Are your sentences short and clear?

• Are you pausing and giving the other person time to respond?

If you feel comfortable, you can even ask the driver whether they understand you easily. Taxi drivers are often happy to give honest feedback, and honest feedback is valuable. There’s very little to lose, and quite a lot to gain.

Make the most of the ride.