Saturday, April 23, 2011

How to Get a Taxi Cab In English

Most of us know that the standard color of a taxi cab is yellow; however, that may vary depending on where one lives. No matter what the color is we can always identify a taxi by the big bold letters printed on it; "TAXI".  Hailing a taxi cab can be challenging for anyone.  That's why I am not only going to review where and how to get a taxi cab, but the art of 'hailing' a taxi cab. It's also important to remember that in most Western countries (like the U.S. and Canada) taxi drivers do expect to be tipped.

PHRASES:

"Taxi!" (You yell this while waving your hand at a taxi that is driving towards you or in your direction).
"Where can I get a taxi?"
"I'd like a taxi, please."
"I'd like a taxi to (address)."
"Do you have the number for a taxi (cab)?"
"Could call a taxi for me please?"
"Could you take me to the airport/train station/this address (if it's written down)/..."
"The address is..."
"I'm going to..."
"Can you get me there in 10 minutes/30 minutes/an hour..."
"I need to be there within the half hour/the hour/..."
"Is it far away/close by/...?"
"How much will it cost (to get there)?"
"Can you give me an estimate?"
"What's your flat rate?"
"How long do you think it will take to get there?"
"I need a receipt?"
"Is it possible for me to get a receipt (of the fare/charges)?"
"Here is your/a tip."
"(Please), keep the change."
"I would like my change back, please."
"Do you take visa, master or debit cards?"
"Do you have change for 10/20/40... dollars?


Dialog:

Max got off the plane in Los Angeles and now needs a taxi to his  hotel. He is unsure about where to go so he decided to go to the information stand inside the airport (terminal) for direction.

Max: "Excuse me. Could you please tell me where I can get a taxi?"

Customer Service Representative (CSR):  You can exit the main floor and flag a taxi or you can push the "taxi call" button in the exit. However, there are usually taxis sitting out front waiting for customers, so you can easily get one there.

Max: Thank you.

CSR:  You are welcome.  If you are having trouble finding one you can come back here and I'll call a taxi for you.

Max: Thanks again.

Max exits the terminal and finds a taxi...

Max: Could you take me to the Radisson Hotel, please?  How long to you think it will take to get there?

Taxi driver: It's very close to the airport, so it should take about 5 minutes to get there.

Max: That's perfect, because I had a really long flight.

Taxi driver: Where are you travelling from?

Max: Augusta, Maine.

Taxi driver: Here we are. We have arrived.

Max: Great!  How much will that be?

Taxi driver: Your fare is 6 dollars.

Max:  Here's a 10.  Please, keep the change.

Taxi driver: Thank you.  Have a good stay!

Max:  Thank you.

Now your Turn!

Use the phrases and dialog above as a guide to create your own dialog.

You:  Could you take me to...?

Your partner: Sure! What's the address?

You:  What's the address?

Your partner:  The address is __________________.

You:   What's your flat rate?

Your partner:  The flat rate is ___________.

You:  Okay.  Thank you.

Your partner:  ________________ (use the phrases above to continue the dialog or start a new dialog).


Vocabulary Review:

Flat rate - A charge or fee that does not change, but remains the same in all cases.

Hailing - To stop or call out to something. For example; to "hail a taxi cab".

- receiving a bill which marks what you have paid or a payment made.

An optional payment given given in addition to payment made for a service given.  This is done as a show of appreciation, to reflect excellent or good service or as a way to say 'thank you'.

The art of... - To express something or the expression of something according to a set of principles or standard.

Great job today!

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