New Taxi Driver
Last year I was a visitor in Qatar and had a chance of memorizing the roads
going to a particular place and back home through the help of my husband. I
was never left alone until my last day in Doha. Now that I am back, I can
no longer identify the local roads. This situation didn't scare me because
I firmly believed in the capacity of a Taxi Driver roaming around Doha that
they could take me to a place through landmarks. But what happened today was really an unexpected incident that did not
amuse me. I was at City Center and asked the taxi driver to take me to
Madinath Kahlifa South which he said "OK" with full confidence. After
taking our turn towards the roundabout, the taxi driver told me, that it's
his second day of work and so I have to tell him which way to Madinat
Khalifa. I was conquering my fear by telling him to take right going back
to Oryx R/A but he did'n't listen to me and acted like he knows the place.
But he soon stopped and called a friend. It took him five minutes to
familiarize the road as the man directed him which way to go. I asked him
if he knows Immigration R/A, he answered "NO". How can I help him get
through this problem that even a district landmark is unknown to him.
After taking so many turns, we finally on our way to Television R/A towards
Markhiya R/A. I told him to go straight so I can show him the Immigration
R/A I was talking about. I was like a tour guide that day, showing him
some local attractions and scenic landmarks.
Taxi drivers are expected to know of major destinations within their zone
even if it is their first day of work. My spatial ability is very weak. So
I really need to see the place several times to be able to distinguish a
particular landmark. This calls for a tourism issue: A visitor in Doha ask the new taxi driver
to take him to City Center, instead brought him to Villagio. The taxi
driver was asked why and simply answered, "Because I don't know City
Center.”
I have to say this directly and drop his name. His name is Chandran a Nepali national, Warqa Taxi driver who said he knew Finger printing district and suddenly announced that he forgot the place. We stopped to a service road and called someone. After a few minutes of discussion he still didn't know where to go so I suggested to him to go back to Decoration R/A but before reaching the R/A he suddenly remember the corner going to the district. The first thing on my mind was: HE WAS PRETENDING AND MAKING MORE MONEY OUT OF ME. I paid QR27 (could somebody please calculate properly the exact fare, he picked me at Madinat Khalifa). I remained calm despite the fact that the taxi driver was doing monkey business with me. I know that taxis are so rare in that area so I contracted him to pick me up as soon as I am done with my fingerprinting. He gave his number and I walked away. After 10 minutes I called him to see if he is still in the area, I was right he was just around Villagio. When he arrived at my location he got out from the taxi and was fixing something in the backseat. When I went inside the taxi I saw this small wire attached on the seat. I asked him about it, he said: "Big problem for me. I can't use the meter. See it's broken" (he tried to turn on the meter but won't start). We had a little argument when I realized that he continued playing monkey business with me. He asked QR25 going to Madinat Khalifa. I insisted to use the meter because I can really feel that something isn't right with this taxi driver. But didn't really use the meter until I arrived at my destination. I did not stop in front of the building where I live so he won't know anything about me because I planned to report him to the authority. I hope that someone from the authority is reading this article now.
Rizza M. Pilapil
Madinath Khalifa So.
Doha, Qatar
5207467
Drivers who work from the airport should at least know the landmarks because they charge extra!
I flew from Buenos Aires to Doha - imagine i was exhausted when I arrived in the early hours
Driver didn't know where Al Waab street was or villagio and only told me when I said, 'where are you going?'
Before I got into the taxi i had even asked do you know where Al Waab street is? both the driver and supervisor had said yes no problem.
Karwa drivers "pretend" they dont know...I guess usually they know as:
1.They have a "driver's experience"....so they usually pick up the streets very well...at least better than us.
2. They have GPS...Maps (they will never use this ...to pretend they are dumb).
3. They are Trained for about 3 months about the routes and GPS.
If they say "dont know" take down their details ...and say you will complain how a person who doesnt know the address is driving as a Taxi Driver.....suddenly he will start to remember your route.
Try it!
Note: Drivers who "dont know the route" is usually from the "Republic of" Kerala....trying to be street smart..just to get more fare from you!
What is the website please... Thanks... Have a nice day!
Rizza M. Pilapil
Madinath Khalifa So.
Doha, Qatar
5207467
I have to start out by saying that I feel a lot better now than I have yesterday.
Well, I had the same experience as far as work professionalism is concern. One night at Suok I happened to drop by at a computer shop, showcasing different accessories for laptop. I asked the vendor the price but only answered me with a shrug and turned to other customers. Customers asked the price and again shrugged and turned away. LOL. But by then I'd had had enough and decided to get out at the store and find another stall. The vendor called me from outside with a loud voice and said: "Madam it's 25 riyal no". hahahaha.
Rizza M. Pilapil
Madinath Khalifa So.
Doha, Qatar
5207467
You'll have better chances there...in getting a laptop
:-)
I know this is totally unrelated, but i went today to buy a laptop at LULU hypermarket, not only no one knew what the hell they were talking about, they also refused to turn on ANY laptop for me, even though i was ready to buy one and just wanted to check it operating.
You ask for a manager, Sir sorry the manager is not here and he is not coming back.
Finally, I did not buy the laptop and decided to order it from the US even though it will cost me more.
My point, Lack of professionalism, no experience, Zero customer service at big companies who really can afford implementing all these things.
It is so frustrating to deal with such people. Rizza, It Happened with me that Taxis ended up asking me about directions lol.. what a mess...
H
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If language did change since then, meanings of words & phrases changed as well. Written guidelines and rules must reflect the present.
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I was with my a couple of (long-time) friends and somehow this topic came about.
You could write this in their website...so this could be adressed immediately...
Welcome to qatar maddam
peace :)