Don’t allow 7 minutes to ruin the rest of your day

As I stood in the Naples airport bus queue, it became obvious the bus parked in front was jam-packed with all the passengers squeezed in like sardines. The taxi drivers dotted around the bus stop were getting frustrated.  They were pacing about shrugging their shoulders, giving that annoyed look.

They were clearly thinking, ‘Why are they willing to wait for the next bus, to squeeze themselves in like sardines, when they could pay one euro more for a shared taxi drop off experience’. 

I started chatting with the girl standing next to me in the queue. As we were waiting, she got chatting to one of the frustrated taxi drivers who explained the shared taxi concept.  It all seemed to make sense, share a taxi with five others wearing masks, rather than fifty sardines wearing masks, and get dropped off quicker and nearer your destination. 

We both discussed the idea, and agreed if we could assemble a few more people, the shared taxi idea seemed sensible.  So as resourceful people do, we got about assembling the shared taxi gang.  Along with another Italian lady next to us, and a younger couple who were eager to get going, we all jumped into the taxi with a seemingly nice driver.  Everyone else was Italian, except me.  The original lady, who introduced herself as Veronica - a Brazilian living in Italy - became my translator and the guide of the shared taxi gang.  She was in Naples for three days as an escape from Verona.  I was bundled into the ‘port drop off’ group with the young couple. 

As we consulted the map, it seemed my hotel was a little further out from the official port drop off.  After a bit of discussion with the driver, Veronica agreed he could drop me off at my final destination for ten Euros, and not the standard 6 euro fare.  Four euro extra seemed perfect. As everyone left the taxi at the city center drop off, the lovely Veronica left her number in case I wanted to meet up the next day to explore Pompeii together.

I felt carefree and connected to the travel community. Everyone looking out for each other, all on a similar path - to experience Naples and the surrounding wonders.

Next thing I know we have parked up near my hotel.  As I jumped out of the taxi smiling, I gave the driver a twenty Euro note and waited for the change.  I became a little surprised when a five Euro note was returned.  Somehow the negotiated ten Euro fare became fifteen in the space of ten minutes.

This is when I turn from a relatively normal carefree traveller, into someone I can only describe as slightly aggressive, in a nice Scottish way. I like to think of this as my most assertive version!  I mumbled ‘here we go’ like I was getting ready to rumble with the taxi driver.

I indistinctly shook my head and explained firmly, but politely, that the agreed price was ten Euros, and that is what I was paying. 

No more discussion needed.

Of course, that would be far too easy.  He went on and on about the extra distance, how he had got me to my destination safely, and that fifteen euro was the price.  I explained there was a mix-up, and to return my twenty euros so we could start the exchange again.  He seemed surprised by this gentle demand.  So was I, but it made sense.  You sometimes watch those Hollywood movies, and when the argument doesn’t play out as expected, they state ‘Let's try that again’.  That was my idea. 

He proclaimed that was ridiculous, and I should be grateful he had charged me so little for such a journey.  This was a bit extravagant from him.  He had driven me from the airport to my hotel, not across a danger-filled war zone.  He further explained that even though he was not happy he would give me ten Euros change.  I get it, I appear to look like a female who may be naïve, vulnerable and a little in awe of Naples.  What he doesn’t know is this happens in nearly every single country I visit, and no matter how prepared I am for it, it triggers me. 

It happened the full time I visited Oman at the start of 2019.  I remember by the end of my trip, I was relieved to be leaving as you had to use a taxi to get everywhere and each experience slowly took the shine off the amazing country which Oman is. It just became so difficult.  They used all the scams in the book. 

The most common is when a taxi driver tells you he has no change.

This is a ploy for you to say ‘ Oh Okay Mr taxi driver, here have all my money since you have no change’.

Instead, I usually have a little debate where I ask ‘no change?’.  They reply ‘ No change’.  To which I mutter ‘ You are a taxi driver, offering a service which requires the exchange of money and you have no change?’. ‘Yes’ they reply. 

And the worst bit is, they do not offer any solutions to this ‘no change’ pantomime as they are the masters of playing it dumb.  There is, of course, one solution.  I tell them I shall pop out the taxi to return with the change to sort out this situation.  Honestly. 

Why, why does it need to happen.  Why can’t the taxi drivers accept what was agreed and not abuse my trust?  These exchanges always make me feel a bit off.  I don’t like getting angry and I don’t like confrontation. I hate being rude but when you are forced into a corner there is no backing down.  The rules of the travel game are clear:  be nice and smile but always, always remain alert, and be prepared for opportunists. 

My advice to anyone - Don’t let them ruin your day or trip though. 

The last taxi scam incident in Naples lasted 7 minutes max.  If a day is filled with 1440 minutes then don’t let 7 minutes weigh you down. Don’t become a victim to your hard done by thoughts, and ruin your day.  Think of it as a bad minute, not a bad day, and you’ll be OK

Breathe, smile, and wave him goodbye.  Nice people and fun adventures are waiting around the corner.