Taxi

These 2 weeks due to time constraint and tight schedule, taxi is my primary public transport. Once these 2 weeks is over, it will be back to bus and MRT for me else it is really burning a big hole in my pocket.

Anyway taking the taxis these two weeks have been a very pleasant experience. The taxi drivers are often very friendly in striking conversations with me. For example, the taxi driver yesterday was a university graduate. He shared with me that he often studied together outside with his friends during his poly years. After his graduation, he worked at Tuas while living in Pasir Ris (opposite end of the island) and took distance learning for his degree course. It got very tough later on when he had a family and had to balance all the commitments. I can imagine.

Another day, the son of the taxi driver was a doctor. I could tell that the taxi driver was very proud of his son, which is rightly so. I think his son should also be very proud of his father for bringing him up all the way to university.

From newspaper reports, I know taxi driving in Singapore is not a well paid profession. For sitting behind the wheels for 10 hours a day, the taxi driver will probably earn $2000-$3000 a month after deducting the vehicle rental and diesel cost. If they fall sick or for other reasons they are unable to work for some days, then the take home pay will be much less. Considering the cost of housing in Singapore and the cost involved in raising a family, I can understand when they told me that with the housing price spikes, even though they needed to get a bigger house for the growing family, it is very difficult for them as the prices are beyond their reach so they will have to squeeze in the present house.

However despite all these, often they undercharge me. For eg when the fare is $8.20, they would charge me $8. Even though is only 20cents, but all these do add up to significant reduced earnings for them if they do this on a daily basis to all the commuters.

And today, the taxi uncle really undercharged me signifcantly. The taxi driver was probably in his late 60s to early 70s, definitely over the normal retirement age. First he was very kind to ask me whether the car is too cold for me. On reaching my home, the fare was $7.20. I told him I have 20cents, so that he can just give me back $3 while I gave him $10.20. But he said no need to give him the 20 cents. Then later he shoved $4 back to me. I took out $1 to gave him back. But he insisted that I keep it. Even though I told him he would make a loss, but he keep insisting and said is ok, since he is on way home. In the end I could only thank him. Hmm.. so I paid $6 for a $7.20 journey. Thank you Uncle for your generosity! Even though I don't know I deserve it.

Generosity and kindness is found plentiful in people, often from people who may not be as well endowed in society. I know millionaire who pinch their pennies, maybe that is why they can get so rich because they are very conscious of managing their money. Hmmm....kindness probably work in cycles. The uncle has started the kindness cycle, and I hope I will continue in his spirit of giving and pass it along to someone else. :)