A Playful Misconception, A Childhood's Dream

This would apply to anywhere in the world I suppose, but this just happened to me last night in Istanbul.

The family and I were just about 5 minutes away from our hotel by cab. However, the driver said that the short way is closed off (probably a big fat lie) and he had to take the long way which was more than 10 minutes. First, he didn’t drive us all the way to the hotel but stopped about 20 metres away, conveniently for him that there was a place to stop. Second, the total amounted to 20.10 lira. We gave him two tens. He refused one because the edge was torn. Doubtful that it’s not a legal tender. But we fished around and good thing we had a 20 lira on us. We gave him and, third, suddenly he was waving a 1 lira at us. Fourth, he avoided speaking English so he had an excuse that he could get away with.

My dad went off the hook when he took that 1 lira from the driver, and started screaming at him that he took the 20 lira and swapped it with a 1 lira. The driver started shouting as well for a while and then finally took his 1 lira back and started asking audibly for 1 lira. My brother took out a coin and he opened up his palm for it, took it, and he went on and on again feeling content and superior that we had misunderstood him.

Why couldn’t he just ask for the 1 lira? Why did he had to wave a 1 lira note at us? He obviously could speak enough English to ask for 1 lira to cover the 20.10 lira cab ride.

Things like this potentially could ruin any good feelings you have had throughout a day of visiting scenic places and great food. It happens I know. It’s shit that these taxi drivers have no morals I know. But the lesson to be learned here is, make sure you make sure the driver knows what amount you gave him before you turn your back on him.

Greece is the same. I gave the driver 40 euros. I read the wrong figure on the meter, thinking it’s about 20 over euros but in actual fact, it was only 19 euros. To my surprise the driver gave me 1 euro change and I had to correct him that I gave him 40 euros, hence the change he gave me was wrong.

Sure, this could have been an honest mistake, but it may not have been. Just remember, you can always report these immoral drivers to the police. I know it’s encouraged in Greece but not sure about Turkey.