Ah, I see the prevailing spin is to provide better service to foreigners, but according to this Korea Times article some 1,000 cabs will debut next March that will charge foreigners 20% more. They will supposedly offer service in Japanese, Chinese, English, and other languages, will accept credit cards, and will be operated by four call-taxi companies.
Remember Korea Beat translated a story a little while ago that said many cab drivers don't take advantage of the translation hotline already in place because it creates no "jeong," or good feeling, between the driver and the passenger. The recommendation from Brian in Jeollanam-do is to take an extra four seconds, figure out where you're going, and not have to rely on companies that survive on the mark-up charged to providing the simplest of services to foreigners.
6 comments:
Este taxi no va dondequiera, el gringo.
I have read on other blogs that some cab drivers try to rip off USFK soldiers, but I have not taken the time to confirm this with the soldiers I have met.
So far, I have only taken a Seoul (or Gwangju) cab in the company of my Korean friends. I have heard that the "free translation" offered in Seoul cabs is not very helpful.
While studying Korean in the US, a classmate who had studied Korean in Seoul told me about a cab driver who, after dropping off her Korean friend, decided to drive past her destination in order to rack up a higher fare. (Did he honestly think that an exchange student would not notice?)
Based on what I have heard from a Korean friend, it seems that some cab drivers are equal opportunity offenders (surly, and prone to taking the "scenic route"). Sometimes my friend offers to pay double the fare just to convince some Seoul cab drivers to agree to a short drive. Having said that, last month we met an honest cab driver who refused to take any extra money for a short drive.
So, if you spoke to the taxi driver in Korean, is he still gonna be an ass and charge you 20% extra anyway?
I agree with Andy - Am I gonna get charged more because I'm a foreigner? That's not fare! (hahahahaha! I Kill me! I really do!)
If they try to charge you 20% extra just say: "Kaka Juseyo!"
I am going to start charging taxis for my English service while they drive me!!!
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