Topics to Avoid Talking about

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Fri, 05 Apr 2013 4:56 pm

Barnsley wrote:Just read that following the Yale-NUS tie up , "No topics are Off Limits!"

Rather a joke given the Ivy League universities are hardly beacons of free speech.

Is one meant to believe free political discourse will be permitted at NUS?

Hmmm....

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 05 Apr 2013 9:19 pm

They have already been taken to task on that one, I believe. Sometime last year. s

Hannieroo · Post by **Hannieroo** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 4:31 pm

Today I learned that if asked by a taxi driver what I think of Singapore to not say I think it's clean ( I don't, off Orchard Rd is no cleaner than any other major developed city) because that will launch a diatribe about how dirty Indians are or that I think it's safe and relatively crime free because then he'll start on Filipinos.

As an aside, what is the etiquette for a lone white woman in a taxi? Do you get in the front or back?

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 4:42 pm

Hannieroo wrote: As an aside, what is the etiquette for a lone white woman in a taxi? Do you get in the front or back?

Does anyone choose to sit in the front of a taxi?? Not that I'm aware of...

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 4:47 pm

I thought it is always the back of taxi. All the time, no?

Hannieroo · Post by **Hannieroo** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 4:53 pm

No, UK you'd sit in the front unless it was a Hackney. Some mini cab drivers would take that as being a bit snobby.

morenangpinay · Post by **morenangpinay** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 4:56 pm

i think we need another thread just for ranting on taxis. they're so talkative and a lot of them ask personal questions. i end up just saying Im married so they shut up and 1 uncle actually had the nerve to tell me if he can come back and give me "free" ride when I go home in exchange for something.

and I was going to church!

Hannieroo · Post by **Hannieroo** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 4:59 pm

In exchange for what?

That's taxis the world over. Sadly a driver's licence does not preclude being a perv. Or convicted sex offender.

morenangpinay · Post by **morenangpinay** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 5:13 pm

Hannieroo wrote:In exchange for what?

That's taxis the world over. Sadly a driver's licence does not preclude being a perv. Or convicted sex offender.

well since being filipino, they usually say your mam let you go on dayoff ah..and I humor them and say yah my mam so good lah. then those innuendos start coming.

Hannieroo · Post by **Hannieroo** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 5:16 pm

Yuck. That is nasty, disrespectful and a little intimidating.

morenangpinay · Post by **morenangpinay** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 5:22 pm

yah so usually I pretend Im busy so I don't have to chat.

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 6:25 pm

Hannieroo wrote:No, UK you'd sit in the front unless it was a Hackney. Some mini cab drivers would take that as being a bit snobby.

[For clarity: 'a Hackney' being the iconic licensed London taxi]

I don't and wouldn't sit in the front of a minicab in London (aka 'gypsy cab' in the US). I'd venture that 99% of them are unlicensed and trading illegally.

I don't take a minicab to make friends, and what the driver might think of me is none of my concern.

Hannieroo · Post by **Hannieroo** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 7:21 pm

I couldn't comment, I don't think I've ever taken a taxi or mini cab in London.

Eta the reason I asked is because when I go to hail one and the hired ones go past there is somebody in the front in about 40 per cent of the lone passenger fares. I figured it could be because they know them or that just could be what is seen as polite.

When you are new when in Rome usually involves asking a Roman. Ta.

BillyB · Post by **BillyB** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 9:17 pm

morenangpinay wrote:i think we need another thread just for ranting on taxis. they're so talkative and a lot of them ask personal questions. i end up just saying Im married so they shut up and 1 uncle actually had the nerve to tell me if he can come back and give me "free" ride when I go home in exchange for something. and I was going to church!

If I was female, I would have reached over and punched him in the balls......!!

Post by **x9200** » Mon, 08 Apr 2013 9:55 pm

Carry with you a voice recorder and start capitalizing on local ever and growing popular outrage of modesty.

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