Manila Taxi Drivers Are Queens

Ok, so not all of them.

I was in Manila between March 5 to 8, 2010 and in one of those days, we watched the pyrotechnics competition in the biggest mall in the country (aka Mall of Asia). It started at around 7:45pm and ended at around 11:00pm. But that's not the point of this blog.

After the show, of course, we head to our hotel for a good night's rest but then taxi drivers in MOA won't take us because the price isn't right. My uncle even offered Php 200/$4.00 to a driver to take them (he and his wife) to a Php100-destination. The driver declined, saying he wanted Php 300/$6.00. My uncle may be rich but he isn't a fool--he declined. To cut the story short, the driver didn't pick up any passengers from that location.

My point? Drivers are saying how tough times are, complaining that life's too cruel to them. Well here's something to think about, mamang driver: it isn't! You're the ones who're being difficult. YOU make life hard on yourselves you lazy-ass, taking-advantage-of-the-situation drivers. HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY EARN A DECENT LIVING IF YOU DON'T EVEN WORK FOR IT? How could you attract more passengers (ergo, cash) if you keep on asking unreasonable rates??? HOW can you attract tourist (ergo, more cash) into the country if you take advantage of their lack of knowledge about our country??? HOW?

Can't you just stop for a while, and think: If you were more honest, wouldn't you attract more passengers? If you were more reasonable wouldn't you have more income? If you were to be less greedy wouldn't more blessings come to you? Think. Even just for a second, think.