Since I live in the city, a taxi cab is my main mode of transportation even though I have a car. It is too difficult to find parking, etc. so I am always jumping in a cab, especially for work.
On this particular day, I hail a cab and once I get in the back seat, I immediately notice my cab driver starting to look at me through his rear-view mirror. So much so that I waved at him to say hi. He said, I'm sorry, I can't stop looking at you, you remind me so much of my ex-girlfriend.
Here we go!
I said, I guess I will take that as a compliment? But, she is an ex? He said, no, you should definitely take it as a compliment. She is a beautiful girl from Germany. The only reason she is an ex is because I moved to the states.
He then asked me if I would stay in his cab all day? I said, ha, I wish I could but I have to make my appointment. Now, we are going all of 2 miles but this guy is making quick work.
He said, would you ever go out with me? I will clean up and take you out to a place that is really nice, I promise. I said, oh, I don't know?
We pull up to my destination and he jumps out of the cab to come around and open my door (definitely a first). I go to give him money and he said, absolutely not, this one is on me. And, can I have your phone number?
Since we are standing on a busy street and I have my work bag with me, I give him my business card. He said I made his day and he would call.
Now, apparently, I have a short-term memory because this guy called about 4 times and I always let it go to voice mail because I didn't recognize the number. Then, his final message was a bit short, I knew he was frustrated.
Of course, my friends wanted me to go out with him so that we could get free cab rides all over town. It was definitely tempting but I ended up not calling him back because so much time had passed. I kept wondering if I will ever jump in his cab again? (thankfully, did not).
Which reminds me of another cab story. This was many years ago and I was in a Detroit suburb for work. Since it was a suburb and cabs weren't readily available, the hotel called me a cab. This guy rolls up in a cab with all of these Christmas lights and it seemed very festive.
He started talking to me asking why I was in Detroit, where I am from, etc. I told him I was working on a project and was just going home for the weekend.
He was very excited that I was coming back and told me he would pick me up from the airport for my return on Sunday. I told him that was not necessary. He said, I insist.
He then said he would take me out to dinner in Greektown in downtown Detroit. I told him I didn't really have time for that but I appreciate the offer.
He told me I would have to meet him at departures on Sunday otherwise he would be in trouble cutting the cab line. I said, you don't have to do this. He said, it is no problem.
So, now I just go along with all of it because I know I am not going to meet him on that Sunday. And, I thought, I will never see him again anyway. I did try to politely turn him down but to no avail.
So, that Sunday I get a cab in the arrivals line and get to the hotel, no problem. The following weekend I was going home again and the hotel said they will call me a cab. What cab do I see rolling up? Yup - the one with all of the Christmas lights. Can you believe it?
I get in the back seat and he glares at me the entire time in the rear view mirror. I bet he was in departures the previous week and I understand his frustration, but, it was Just all too much.
He never said anything but if looks could kill.
Lesson learned? You never know where you will meet someone. And, we need more cabs in Detroit.
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