Communicating with Taxi Drivers by mke1963
- Replace the last consonant of any word with the letter 'R' and pronounce it in a long drawn out way. (e.g. Sanlitun becomes Sanlitur)- Don't add English or foreign emphasis to words because this confuses the Chinese tones of words?
- Turn left .... zwor gweye
- Turn right .... yo gweye
- Straight ahead .... yi-chuh zo
- Stop .... dhow-ler
- I'm not a bloody tourist! .... Wo boo shur luyoda!
- Slow down! .... Man man man!
If you have any real serious problem with taxis (it almost NEVER happens though...they may drive badly, but they are mostly very friendly and very honest) make a real show of writing down their ID number (it is written on a card on the dashboard).
Note that in many taxis, the rear left door (behind the driver) doesn't work.