Festival Season

I love Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which commenced yesterday. A period when Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sensual pleasures during the daylight hours, part of an larger regime of scripture study and spiritual contemplation.

Due to Ramadan large numbers of Muslim cabbies don’t work during this period which accounted for last night's takings being better than usual for a Sunday. Consequently, next month will also be busier than usual, in the lead up to the Christmas period and maximum takings.

For this cabbie, the two religious festivals signify the most profitable months of the year. Well, actually, one religious festival and one retail festival. But it's all good.

Comments

[Chris]

There's an interesting tip...

[Rosanna]

It's incredible - what an affect Ramadan has on society.

[Walter]

When I drove in the US 20 years ago there weren't enough immigrant drivers where I was to make that difference.

Though, on tipping. Buddy of mine just got back from Australia on business and told me that Down Under custom has no tipping cabbies. Is that so?

[Chris Parkes]

Walter - as a passenger, I generally tip by rounding up to the nearest $5. If the service is execrable, I will sit and wait for change. Only two things will make me fail to tip. If the driving standard was so low as to make me fear for my safety, and if the behaviour of the driver includes racist remarks, conspiracy theories and swearing out the open window at passing pedestrians.

Having said that, Australians are notoriously tight bastards, despite what they might think :)

[Walter]

Chris:
Thanks, have experienced Brit, Canadian, and Euro tipping (Euros tip least, Brits some, and Canadians are within a shout of US standards), but didn't know about Australian standards.
Mind you, "keep the change" was about 50% of fares in the US 20 years ago. So the US tipping culture has evolved over time.

[adrian]

Walter, Qantas informs inbound passengers cabbies don't expect tipping. Bullshit. Tipping used to be a regular occurance but the credit card surcharge has put paid to that. Cash customers though often round up the fare. As Chris suggests, it's all about the standard of service.

[Lee]

I think that's your buddy's own personal custom, Walter.

[Walter]

Actually, my friend was riding with 2 Australians (who turned to him in the taxi) and said "Don't you dare try to tip the driver!" (and I got a mental image of a somewhat annoyed driver). Though, my friend said that the staff at the hotel refused to accept any tips (and the custom here is that you give the cleaning staff a couple of dollars a day tip). I'll keep all that in mind when, as, and if I get down there (and I plan to vacation there someday).