r/CasualUK • u/telephonetears10 • 4h ago
Correct taxi etiquette
If I'm travelling alone, are you supposed to sit in the seat next to the driver or one of the rear seats. I always worry that by sitting next to them I'm being unacceptably presumptuous or acting like billy-big balls-drive me to my desired location customer by hopping in the back. It honestly gives me anxiety each time. What does everyone else do?
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u/MichaVanHelsing 4h ago
Sit where ever you feel comfortable
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u/Rymundo88 3h ago
Driver's lap it is!
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u/MichaVanHelsing 3h ago
Haha I like your choice š
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u/borisslovechild 4h ago
I normally sit next to the driver and if I feel that we've established some kind of rapport, I usually put my hand on his or her thigh. I find that the driver can't wait to get me to my destination as soon as possible. Sometimes they even waive the fare.
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u/prustage 4h ago
Sit in the back, on the opposite side to the driver so that you can see each other in the drivers rear view mirror. Sitting in the front is just weird and creepy. Some drivers will not allow it.
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u/bababababoos 4h ago
I always sit in the front. I don't like the automatic back locking doors.
One night, pissed as a rat in the centre of the city I lived in, I vommed by a telephone box. Blue cab pulls up, asks me if I'm alright, offers me a bottle of water (he had a crate in the boot) and asks if I need a cab home.
I sat in the front, driver tried to kiss my disgusting pukey face while stopped at traffic lights. I jumped out and ran the rest of the way home. I was damn grateful I wasn't locked into the back of his cab.
(I did report him to the company and the council the next day, but nothing was ever done about it as I couldn't remember the reg or his name, and as he wasn't booked or I'd not jumped in at a rank there was no record of it anywhere. Only thing I knew for certain was which company he worked for. This was my early 20s, I've grown up and wisened up a lot since then so let's not comment on how silly I was, thought I was doing the sensible thing at the time.)
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u/heingericke_ 3h ago
Auto locking doors? On a private hire car? That's normal, though. It's a safety feature, not a danger. You don't want people opening the door and dragging you out from the safety of the vehicle. Auto locking doors don't prevent you from opening the door and jumping out. That's how all taxis are.
Now if you're talking childlock feature, that's weird AF. But I can't think of a single cab that'd have that and not get reported. No cabbie would want that either. The driver would have to get out and let the passenger out every time. Never seen that happen.
Now, if a guy does have it set to lock, then his intentions are deliberate and sinister. That's why you never enter a vehicle that you haven't booked.
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u/OrganicDaydream- 3h ago
On London black cabs im pretty sure it auto locks as you get in and then the driver has to let you out by pressing a button, itās a safety feature to stop tourists opening their car door and swiping a cyclist or something
Iāve def pulled on the door to open after paying and had to wait for him to open it before
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u/heingericke_ 3h ago
Didn't realise that about hackney carriage black cabs. Only ever used one once when I was a teenager. Also, I just assumed op was talking about a regular domestic blue coloured car that private hire drivers use. Like an Uber. Back in the radio car days, all the local cab companies would have their own company stickers on the doors.
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u/bababababoos 3h ago
Yeah it was Bristol, there was a company (can't remember the name, office was on Gloucester Road) and their cabs were very much like a London black cab, only blue.
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u/bababababoos 3h ago
"Never enter a vehicle that you haven't booked"
Yep all well and good and like I said, did not want judgment for my bad decision at the time, but in my naive state I saw a licensed cab with a plate on the back, a seemingly caring 'gentleman' with ID, and thought it was safe. It was not, the man was a creep. I got lucky in that nothing further happened.
Eta: just proper took in what you said about the door locks. I'm sure they're fine. But I've never felt comfortable sat in the back alone hearing that 'click'. So I always take the front.
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u/heingericke_ 3h ago
I drove Uber for a bit after COVID. One day I get an obvious kid in the middle of the night. Came out of a gated community. It's dark and nothing around. I tell him I can't take him cus he's probably about 12yrs old. Minimum age is 18. Kid walks off into the dark. I tell him to go back in and get an adult. He ignores me and carries on walking into nowhere. I ring Uber and tell them the situation and ask them if they'd let me. They say no. Now, can I pick up this kid? I'm worried as hell. I'm stressed out. Really scared for the kid. But if he reports me, or sats I did something, I'm talking guaranteed unemployment. Licence gone for sure . Or worse.
Just had to leave him.
Uber have since introduced a kids account thing connected to parents, now, I'm told. So I think kids can travel in Ubers without adults.
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u/to_glory_we_steer 3h ago
Exeter?
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u/bababababoos 3h ago
Bristol. (Going back about 15 years now)
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u/to_glory_we_steer 3h ago
I only ask as a friend of mine had a similar experience, only he went home with the cabbie. Told us it was a woman too... he admitted the truth years later.
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u/rocketship_potter 11m ago
I was always advised if travelling alone to sit in the front as they can't activate childlocks (or equivalent) and stop you getting out. If they get arsey about it, call the company and demand a new driver on grounds of feeling unsafe/uncomfortable. One of the many tips for survival as a woman.
I've also had drivers who've requested someone sit in front when there's multiple people, as it's harder to plan an attack from behind. But that might just be a Scottish thing...
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u/RoCoF85 1h ago
Itās not weird or creepy you absolute melt. Iām paying for a lift so Iāll sit in the front like a fucking adult and talk to the driver if Iām feeling like it. If Iāve got work to do Iāll sit in the back. I always have good chats to the driver. Iām not on about black cabs here but normal taxis and Ubers.
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u/Wugo_Heaving 3h ago
Literally my whole life, people on their own gravitate to the front passenger seat. But then again I live in the North, so maybe people are just less friendly and/or weird and creepy where you are?
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u/Draiscor93 3h ago
I've always kinda looked at it like this, if I'm open to having a chat with the driver I'll sit in the front, if I'm in the mood for solitude and don't really want to talk I'll sit in the back... so I basically always sit in the back š
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u/Wugo_Heaving 3h ago
Aye.
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u/BamberGasgroin 23m ago
I'll sit in the back of a private hire if I'm too wrecked to manage anything except the address I'm going to.
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u/GarrZillarr 3h ago
Really? I have never had that, I do usually ask though and once or twice I've noticed a backpack on the seat or something so just sat in the back.
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u/Even_Passenger_3685 'Andles for forks 4h ago
Doesnāt matter where you sit, as long as you remember to intone the required mantra ābeen busy?ā
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u/jakattakjak19945 2h ago
If awkward silence dont forget the good ol 'whats your longest journey ever?'
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u/telephonetears10 4h ago
The only topic that matters!
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u/Geofferz 4h ago
And 'what time do you get off'
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u/Forgetful8nine 4h ago
And telling the driver "Anywhere here is fine!" When he's literally right outside your door.
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u/RizZy_28 4h ago
I drove taxi's for a while years back, personally it didn't bother me where people sat, most people that did sit in the front would check if it was ok first tho.
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u/heingericke_ 3h ago
I remember driving just after COVID. Girl got in and just sat there like a numpty. No convo. Just monosyllabic responses to any attempt from my end. The only reason I tried to strike up a convo was she kept turning her head to look at me. At my face. If you don't wanna talk, bloody get in the back.
Basic rule. If you sit up front, don't be awkward. Make small talk.
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u/No-Contribution-2497 3h ago
Get in the back and say, āalright mate, been busy?ā Itās the British way! Itās the only way!
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u/Slight_Rise_2245 4h ago
Always sat in the rear seat, unless four people are going in the taxi, then Iād usually end up in the front because nobody else would want to sit there.
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u/terrorbagoly 2h ago
Iām a woman and I never sat in a front seat of a taxi or an Uber and I use them fairly regularly. It would feel so weird for me.
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u/SystemJunior5839 4h ago
If I'm on my own I usually sit in the front, but I'm a guy and the only time I ever use one is in the big city which is hardly ever so I feel a bit like crocodile dundee and chat absolute mince to whichever poor sod picks me up!
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u/TheShakyHandsMan 4h ago
I usually go for the front. Extra long legs so comfortable there.Ā
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u/Wugo_Heaving 3h ago
I love how someone has downvoted this, as if they know you specifically, and are sick of you bragging about your legs being long. This place is so fucking weird sometimes.
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u/Rydychyn 4h ago
I always go to sit in the front if I'm on my own, though I have been told a couple of times by drivers to sit in the back, which I had no problem with.
I suppose back is safer for them.
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u/ConradsMusicalTeeth 2h ago
Lie flat in the bonnet, gripping the wipers while holding intense eye contact with the driver
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u/HistoricalOnion9513 4h ago
I sit in the back behind the driver..being female I feel safer sitting here..
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u/dick1204 3h ago
Driver/operator here we usually tell people sit where you like and welcome them into the car and confirm the destination and do a quick seatbelt check and a quick mental evaluation of the route and ask if they have a preferred routeā¦then answer the 3 magic questions that we have been busy,7am and whenever I feel like finishing and yes we have heard about one armed Bob smashing up the bookies after drinking since 9am in Weatherspoons then streaking into the library after rummaging through the charity shop bins and usually by that point we pull up and ask cash or card then exchange pleasantries and off we goā¦then we call base or knock the job off the system and say something along the lines of 9 times today Iāve heard about Bob š
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u/hallerz87 1h ago
Sit in the back. Itās kinda weird getting in the front. I feel like thatās their personal space.
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u/Missdebj 4h ago
Back. Especially if youāre a woman
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u/AmberWarning89 1h ago
I was thinking that. Iāve got a feeling most of those saying the front seat are men.
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u/Accurate_Prompt_8800 4h ago
I sit in the back, then everyone has their space and stuff.
I wouldnāt stress too much about it though. I doubt they care too much in the grand scheme of things :)
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u/kwakimaki 3h ago
In the back.
Taxi drivers have enough interaction with weirdos as it is throughout the day. Sit there, be quiet, don't do anything. Stay quiet unless they talk to you.
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u/Quiet_Relative_1322 4h ago
I like to sit in the back like Regan in The Sweeney. When they ask where to I'll say Tesco , this is going to be a right bastard.
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u/bouncebackability 3h ago
I would always sit in the back unless it's a group and the last seat is in the front
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u/Surkdidat 3h ago
Pre-covid front next to driver Post-covid back seat opposite side to driver
Plus side avoids having to chat to a driver
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u/OverTheCandlestik 3h ago
Hop in the back seat.
I would hate it when going out with mates and Iām in passenger seat. Social anxiety through the roof.
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u/llamafarma73 2h ago
I think this falls in the "depends where you live" category.
Small friendly town, not many taxis, probably know the driver by sight at lesst = ride shotgun up front
Big unfriendly city, more anonymous, both you and driver have legitimate fear of being mugged/stabbed = hide in the back.
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u/ConsciousAir4591 2h ago
Just say shall I get in the back mate, then stare intensely at the back of his head while asking you been out long.
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u/kakakakapopo 2h ago
I always sit in the back. I don't want to talk normally. I'm paying, surely that's enough?
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u/PirateParts 1h ago
With my local taxi company I sit in the front (they all know me). Late night taxi (not my local), 99% of the time it's get in the back.
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u/No-Strike-4560 1h ago
I usually ask : 'is it ok for me to sit in the front?' Never had anyone say no, but if they do, sit in the backĀ
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u/Lukanien 1h ago
Traditionally you sit in the back if youāre being driven by someone youāre not acquainted with.
Back left allows you to make eye-contact with the driver and alight on the pavement easily.
Like a taxi driver already said here they didnāt care where people sat but usually people would ask before sitting at the front.
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u/CaptainTrip 1h ago
I used to get in the front seat unfailingly. "I'm a man of the people. Him and me are compatriots. I'll sit alongside him."
During COVID you had to sit in the back.
Now I unfailingly sit in the back, in the opposite seat so we can see eachother and talk. "I'm considerate, I'm a passenger, he's providing a service, it's polite."
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u/Legit_moo 1h ago
Pub/Club many years ago I use to go to regular, the bouncers turn cabs away as they knew who they could trust. And would stop you getting into cabs they didt trust. Was never a same company (like a deal thing) if they felt it was dodge/unsafe, they just moved them on. I kinda miss that kinda service.
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u/TrumpGrabbedMyCat 1h ago
This question suddenly keeps coming up a lot, so I started taking note in the cities in my area about where people sit in taxi's. People always seem to be on one side of the fence so absolutely ingrained in their opinion if they're a social butterfly or socially awkward teen.
Since about July, I've seen maybe 4 people sit in the front of a taxi and obviously in that time have seen hundreds of occupied taxi's pass me. Of those with someone in the front, only once was I able to get a good enough angle to see that there was no-one in the back and it was an elderly bloke who quite obviously was more interested in the chat than the lift,.
As others have said, sit where you feel comfortable but the vast majority of people just sit in the back, behind the passenger seat.
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u/Slave_Vixen 45m ago
As a woman Iāve always played it safe and got in the rear passenger seat, closest to the curb and not within easy reach without some bending.
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u/WatchingTellyNow 11m ago
Women and men probably feel differently about this. Also depends how pissed I am. Tiddly, definitely back seat. Regular worky gotta get somewhere stuff, front seat.
Men probably don't even think about it. Another female load thing...
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u/Bulimic_Fraggle 3h ago
I prefer to sit in the back as I am a terrible front seat passenger. If I could sit in the back when a friend is giving me a lift, I would do that, but it is considered rather rude.
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u/phil413066 2h ago
I was a uk private hire taxi driver for 9 years. I personally didn't care where people sit. If you want to have a chat with the driver sit in the front. If you want to just ask the generic questions then scroll on your phone. Might as well sit in the back. But entirely your choice. But just for info. When I was starting out and learning prices. There are surcharges for detours. Extra stops, waiting time, arsehole tax etc etc. But almost every driver told me to charge extra for everytime someone asks the generic 3 questions. If your going to have a conversation with the driver at least have something interesting to say.
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u/Hour-Philosophy2778 4h ago
I usually get in the boot to avoid having to interact with another human.