Woeful

Late at night outside an office building an old girl fell into the front seat and commenced huffing and puffing. She had just cleaned two floors, each of 240 square metres. In a thick European accent she grumbled, “Five nights a week for only $200.”

After I suggested that at ten bucks per hour she was earning the same as cabbies she snorted. “But the younger ones get twenty five dollars and I work a lot harder than them. And now the doctor says I’ve got sclerosis in the spine and I’ll be lucky to last the year.”

When she admitted being paid in cash, and working two jobs, she deftly changed the subject. “I need the money after being robbed by my husband. I was married to a bigamist,” she wailed. “Can you believe dis!?”

Apparently the bloke had another family and took half her house in the Family Court, before hightailing it back to Europe.

Just to compound the misery she told of losing her superannuation savings in the HIH fiasco. “They said it would be safe in a cash management fund but now those bastards are out of jail and walking around, free!? I lost $300,000, where will I get that money?”

I tried to look on the bright side and mentioned the approaching age pension in four years. “Pension?” she laughed sardonically. “That mongrel Rudd put the age back to sixty-seven.” “Well, what about your family,” I asked, “can't they help you out?” “My son is twenty nine and can’t find a job. Soon we’ll both be on Newstart.”

Phew, her unhappiness had me struggling for a bit of hope so I inquired about her inner city public housing. “Is the Housing Commission looking after you?” “No!” she cried. “My (terrace) is falling down and I’m too scared to ask for repairs. As soon as you do they sell the place and dump you out in the boondocks.”

With that I knew she was bullshitting as the Government must be the best landlord around, for those with nothing. Residents receive subsidised rent, secure tenure plus, if relocated, a commitment to finding suitable homes in the same area.

And all this is paid for by the Government. Sheesh, what a racket. Thus with serious reservations about her tales of woe I had no qualms in charging the full fare.

Comments

[Grendel]

Rudd seems to have failed marketing 101 if so many older people think the retirement age of 67 is an in-their-face concern. It starts increasing from 65 in 2017 to 67 by 2023.

Good call on the full fare.

[Epskee]

Whilst one must do as one must to survive in hard times, surely when working cash-in-hand and not paying tax, one shouldn't be complaining when tax-funded pensions aren't readily available?

And as for the comment "Soon we'll both be on Newstart" am I being too cynical in assuming that whilst claiming (again) tax funded welfare that she wont be giving up the cash jobs?

HIH collapsed a few years ago now, and prior to that Super was not compulsory for long. Was she one of the (very) few lucky/smart people who invested in super of their own volition? And to amass a loss of 300K, one would assume her and/or her partner to have been on a fairly good wicket prior to losing her house (which for the family court to award solely to one partner, there must have been good reason). Surely there were other funds in other sources available to her, and if not, well, poor management is no excuse. Its sad and unfortunate, but of her own doing.

Seems she omitted alot. Or simply cries poor. Since you work for the same fee, and one would assume, pay tax on it, I would say the full fare was certianly warranted.

[Rainer the cabbie]

You should have charged her double or taken her the long way. Miserable old git. No wonder the husband buggered off. Breaking her back while the poor young son doesn't work. Spoilt welfare dependent housing commission offspring, a far too familiar story. Probably too busy bonging.
We must think of a way to get a bonus payment for listening to negative fares at a time when we need all the uplifting news and conversation one can get. Tales of doing it tough? Try driving a cab !!!

[jayjay]

Please look after yourself and always ask for full fare regardless of the sob story. You're doing the same job for each fare no matter what their personal circumstances are. Soft heart, empty pocket.

[crjc]

I love the hard luck stories. It's amazing what people will come up with in the hope of saving a few bucks.

I've been driving three years now, and on the advice of an older driver the only free rides I've given are to hospitals, churches, or a parent's house (I then dun the parents for the fare).