the taxi uncle is a repository of rich information. everything under the sun - from civil engineering, to relationships, to escaping toll fees. you name it, the Taxi Uncle knows it all.
I always tell my passenger, to try to enjoy what you do. It’s never easy to find a job that you like to do. I still enjoy driving the taxi, hope the fuse don’t blow out on me!
I’ve been a night cabby for the last seven years, so my body clock has changed totally! I am what you call a “night owl”, I work the “US shift”!
That’s because they don’t do as the Romans do. Nobody asked you to go Malaysia and show off your BMW and Porsche what. Just drive small car there can already. Right? Right? When you go to other countries, you must do like the Romans do what. Then got no problem. Ah? Remember that. It’s very important for your life to follow what the Romans do. Sure got no trouble after that.
Taxi Uncle on why people get kidnapped in other countries (1 July 2012)
(**ed’s note: credits to VT for the post!)
| taxi uncle: | you always taxi one right? |
|---|---|
| me: | how you know? |
| taxi uncle: | the way you say go here, go there, which lane, reach your house fast fast, of course, i know. |
You just finish work ah? Yah Singapore standard, chor buay liao one. Must take care of your health number one, number two your money.
I have all the licenses, Class 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5 and even crane operator. I firmly believe in upgrading myself. Even my wife is a housewife, I also encourage her to do diploma. I’m also doing my specialist diploma now. Driving taxi for 2 months, if don’t work out then drive lorry lor.
| taxi uncle: | you playing tennis ah? |
|---|---|
| me: | ya. |
| taxi uncle: | never play for olympics are? |
| me: | HAHAHAHA no lah |
| taxi uncle: | (extends hands to show width of taxi meter screen) wah now the gold medal very big. you get gold ah, power man. |
| me: | wah so big ah. |
| taxi uncle: | ya... you get gold ah, very power man. very big, now power. |
| Taxi uncle: | "Oh! So this is MICA. Every time I pass by, I didn't know what it was called". |
|---|---|
| Me: | "yup this is MICA, thank you uncle" |
| Taxi uncle: | "MICA is music information concert association right? I know one." |
| Me: | "No uncle, it means Ministry of Info Communication & Arts" |
| Taxi uncle: | "Ya, that's what I said" |
| Me: | ..... |
| (**ed's note: | credits to miss v!) |
a london cabbie tumblr! lovely portraits and stories of the men in the driver’s seat. (**ed’s note: thanks AL for the heads up!)
don’t worry, you are not the only one who doesn’t know your left and right. all girls are like that. my wife also. i think it’s something about you girls. … you sure next road is turn left ah?
(immediately upon getting in)
taxi uncle: girl, XXX (location) right?
me: wah uncle u see me before ah?
taxi uncle: … 3 times
(**ed’s note: champion lah, pk!)
Teaching is for ladies. During my time also the same thing. Lesser men.
I only trusted one Mrs Soh because she’s very strict but a loving teacher. She really cared for the students. Then the male teacher, he is ceylonese. He used to put coins in a box. So if you have no money, you can take some for recess. Food was only 10 cents last time!
***
You’re a new teacher? Only 2 weeks? Oh my god, do you like it?
***
You know last time I played truant. The teacher caned us, but they cared for us.
***
Last time, I was from Radin Mas. I was the last boy in the A class but first boy in the B class. i’m not joking girl! why you laugh!
even at 6:15am in the morning, the taxi uncle is voluble and waxing nostalgia on his days as a student. as told to mymy on 5 July 2012.
(**ed’s note: thanks mymy again and again!)
I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren - the more the merrier!
Must have 3 at least: 2 girls and 1 boy or 2 boys and 1 girl.
Last time have to pay extra $1000 for 3rd and 4th child because the population got too big. But now, they ask [us] to make more babies.
Who want to make more?!
so more or less is better? asks the taxi uncle
(**ed’s note: thanks mymy! haha)
if i strike toto, i will retire. until then, i am standing on my own two feet.
taxi uncle on the importance of standing independent.
(**ed’s note: again, thanks to mymy!)
Girl, I tell you, the age for marriage is liddat:
For girls, you must get married between 18 and 21; for boys, 21-25. it’s all about the timing.
You don’t want to be too old when your child is only 10 years old! who will take care of you in future?
Girl, your expectation cannot be too high. Find a good man and live a simple life.
the taxi uncle offers his perspective on the right age for marriage
(**ed’s note: thanks mymy!)
