A taxi ride

It has always been my custom to chat with taxi drivers when I hire a ride. I realized they have interesting stories to tell and give me updates on current affairs which I don't get to read in newspapers. One driver once told me his love story and how troubled he was being away from his girl.

A few weeks ago I hired a taxi to get to the airport. On the way I started conversing with the driver. He seemed very talkative and I was happy it would not be a boring ride.

It started with usual questions--where are you going, which flight etc..

When I replied I was going to Korea, he asked me whether I work in software. I said yes.

We talked about Ganesh habba and traffic in Bangalore and the usual sundry.

After some random questions, he inquired how much I earn. I said not much.

He wondered whether I was earning around 50k a month.. It's always embarrassing for me to answer questions related to my salary. I find it very uncomfortable and that too a total stranger asking about it.. I get dumbstruck when my relatives whom I see in years inquire about my salary.

Then I asked him what is the frequency for their wireless communication. I was trying to get his mind off my work, salary..

He answered it works on walkie-talkie mechanism.. I muttered how can walkie-talkie work beyond 3-4 kms.. sir, we are able to make ISD calls from small mobile phones, can't we use walkie-talkie in 20kms range, he said. That was enough to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the ride.

But he did not stop talking and further went on to tell me that he passed 1st PUC in 1986 but could not study further.. He said then there was no computer in those days and mentioned he incurred a loss in business and had to ply taxi now to make his living. He said "everyday is not sunday". I just nodded.

When we got to the airport he charged me 50 rupees more and that would go into his pocket.. I was left with 50 rupees less for listening to his story.

And I proceeded towards check-in counter.