Native New Yorkers track taxis like hunters stalk deer. Standing on a corner, blending into their natural habitat, eyes scanning the streets, mouths twitching with impatience, they have an uncanny knack for spotting the rectangular light box that, when lit, means “vacant and on-duty”-even when it’s four blocks away. You may have been on that corner longer, but how can you compete with a lifelong cab wrangler? It’s in their blood. What should you do when they hail the taxi that should’ve been yours? The most effective approach is to meet the hailer’s expertise with some city smarts of your own.
1. Edging toward where the hailer is standing, ask where she’s headed.
2. If you’re going in the same direction, ask if she wants to share the cab.
3. If she’s not willing to share, take advantage of her momentary hesitation and jump in the backseat of the cab, yelling your destination to the driver so he can peel away from the curb and leave your competitor in the dust.
4. Stop feeling guilty-you were there first.
Alternatively (and especially if you’re weighed down with bags on both arms), you may simply want to evoke the expert hailer’s pity.
1. Exclaim what a great hailer of taxis she is. “I can’t believe it! You had your hand up when that cab was still four blocks away.”
2. Then despair over your own taxi-hailing skills. “I’m just so bad at getting cabs. You’d think I’d see them sooner since they’re bright yellow and lit up at night, but I’m just not a city person.” Giggle. (This is called playing dumb.)
3. Go in for the kill. “Would you mind if I took this cab? It’ll take me so long to find another one, and it’ll only take you a second.”
Even jaded city folk will be flattered and/or moved by your appeal and graciously step aside. If they don’t, refer back to the initial approach.
