Taxi Cab Drivers: They Do It For 'Entertainment'

Every day I look for odd topics which is a plain topic that I could make interesting. A lot of the time I come across a lot of these fascinating topic through customers at work. I work at Walgreen's so I tend to spend my eight to 10 hour shifts with people. Some I quickly introduce myself to and others are the regulars that I have developed a relationship with over the two years that I have been employed there. I would say that working there for that time paid off; and not money wise, but by hearing stories about the people that shop there. I have learned so much about their lives. And they have been most gracious in answering my bizarre questions.

So tonight at work it was just a usual night: accident down the street (old woman crossed at the wrong time and was hit by a young girl), the sound of ambulances driving by, police, and the business of the cars and people on 10th street. Let's just say that the place I work is most definitely not in the best place in town. It's about a 20 minute drive from my country home. Anyway, several customer's came and went, but one particular customer caught my attention. His name is Ed and he has been a Taxi Driver in the area for years. He always stops in for a pack of Marlboro Lights.

Most people assume that the job of a Taxi driver is uncomplicated and only consists of driving. But, I found out otherwise. One day Ed had come in and I saw him pull up in his cab. So we got talking about his job and what he does. So every time he came in after that it was just a brief chit-chat but for some reason tonight was different. This evening, for some reason, I brought up the question: Do you like your job? Surprisingly, I was shocked by his answer. Ed explained to me that the only reason why he does what he does if for entertainment. I just looked at him and asked what he meant by that. Then, he explained that he has been through several incidents that he found quite amusing. I, for one, would have found them terrifying.

For instance, one incident that had happened was a time when Ed was driving and a guy tried to mug him by grabbing his neck and attempting to pull him to the back of the seat. Ed grinned at me and then said, "But it was okay because I knocked him out cold with a flashlight I had. The guy ended up in prison for life."


Of course this made me even more curious about the life of a cab driver and I asked if their was anything else. Ed explained that he had been hit in the face with a purse, shot at, and stabbed. You were stabbed? And shot at? What happened? He showed me the scar from the stab wound on his hand; The knife had went right through the center of it. A defense wound, professionals would call it. I say he's a bad ass. Ed was shot at twice, but was only hit once. The time the guy missed was because he was shooting from about 30 feet away and his aim "sucked". All of this, Ed told me, was because all of those people wanted money. Apparently two of them are in prison for life.

And, Ed goes on driving away, quickly entertained by all of the interesting people. Oh, not to mention the lady that tried to force herself on the poor guy for payment. Also, can't forget about the big bruise on Ed's hand. Recent from beating a guy to unconscousness because he was trying to batter Ed to death for his cab money. After all this, I being terrified and would most likely quit after the first incident, Ed continues enjoying every second of it. Like I said before, this guy is a bad ass. A certified bad ass. Thank you to all taxi drivers who put up with/are entertained by the American population. And thanks to those who keep our taxi drivers entertained.

So, whenever getting into a taxi, whether it be for a long drive out in the country or a short ride from block to block in New York, I am sure that taxi driver has some sort of story to tell, and at least it will prove to be an interesting trip the whole way there. Taxi drivers put up with a lot of stuff and they probably won't mind telling about it, so ask.