Rickshaws
The primary mode of travel around town for most people is by rickshaw. They have three wheels, go about 15 mph max, and are small enough to slide in between lanes when there's heavy traffic. They are generally pretty cheap too, provided you're not white, a woman, or I guess a foreigner or any other sort.
Pretty much without fail, my interactions with rickshaw drivers go sometihng like this:Me: Hi, can you take me to Basyram Circle in Sadashiva Nagar?
Rickshaw Driver: Ok, 100 rupees
Me: I want to use the meter (knowing the ride should only cost 40 or 50 rupees)
RD: No, my friend...Sadashiva Nagar is very far, I won't get a return trip.
Me: I want to use the meter
RD: 80 rupees
Me: [sigh] I want to use the meter
RD: Ok, 1.5 fare - I show you the palace on the way.
Me: [starting to get out of the rickshaw] So you're not going to use the meter?
RD: My friend!
Me: Ok [stand up outside of the rickshaw]
RD: Ok, ok - sadashiva nager, ok - what country? what country?
And that's the charade that goes on just about every time I take a rickshaw. It reminds me of Will Ferrell's character in Austin Powers that refuses to answer a question unless he's asked it three times. It's not that big of a problem, the drivers will usually agree to just charge you the metered rate eventually, the whole process is just a little tiring.
posted by icjohnstone @ 3:27 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Interesting that you call them "rickshaws." In Tamil Nadu, we call them the "autos" for short.
What does your work consist of?
Could not help but laugh out loud dude. By the way the experience with the rickshaws is quite the same for any new comer to the city... Indian/American or whoever.
Motor City Pedicabs, Dude...that's all im saying.
the picture is key. i love the profile.
i would of just paid the 100 rupees and mrs c would be all
over my case for it (actually she would never take a rickshaw(auto) ride) - but that's just me
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