Taxi!

Most of us have had the customer experience of riding a taxi. Let me share with you some of these rides. A memorable one was the taxi ride from Mumbai airport to the Taj President Hotel. This was of course much before the horrendous attacks that had terrorised Mumbai. As we came out of the airport arrival hall, the taxi driver was waiting with our names on a display board. He guided us to the taxi, we put our bags in the boot, and he checked back, you have two bags of luggage, sir.
As my colleague and I got comfortable in the back seat, the driver offered a tray, fresh towels, bottles of drinking water, and of course, he was all smiles and polite. He informed that it was going to take nearly an hour and a half to reach the hotel, so we might as well relax. The back seat had couple of newspapers, magazines to while away our time in the busy traffic of Mumbai. With all the magazines and newspapers to read, the jammed roads, the endless queues it was quite some time later the driver told us that we were near the hotel, another five minutes and we should be there. And we were there in about five minutes. As we got out, he brought the luggage out, handed to the bellboy, and reconfirmed, sir, your two pieces of luggage. This was such an unusually polite, courteous and seamless experience.
We then took a regular yellow Mumbai cab to our company's office. The hotel doorman warned us that you would need to multiply what ever the meter showed by 13. By the time we reached our destination, we could not actually read anything on the meter. The numbers were so worn off, I think the driver asked for his fare from instinct, and he did not cheat you.
On another occasion, the yellow taxi driver slowed down and nearly crashed his car with a bicycle. We were wondering what was he up to, as he waved his hand to the man on the cycle, oh, he's my brother-in-law. I still wonder how he managed to size up his brother-in-law riding a cycle in the crowded streets of Mumbai.
And then the harrowing experience of the taxis in Dhaka. We had just completed a business lunch at the Sheraton and needed to return back to our office in Lalmatia. Waving a taxi, the driver asked where we wanted to go, and the meter was out of order, all in one breath. Fifty taka for the ride, he offered. We jumped in and off he went scurrying through the roads, zigzagging between vehicles. As he jumped a red light the traffic sergeant waved him to stop. As he slowed the taxi our hearts sank, wondering if we could make it to the office. Then accelerating fast he simply pulled off, the sergeant staring dumb-founded. Before we knew it he was taking short cuts through unused roads. With hearts pounding we got out of his car as we reached the office, thanking God we were still in one piece.
Lately we hire microbuses to travel beyond Dhaka because of their convenience and comfort. We have found a service provider who has this fleet of microbuses and their polite drivers. To beat Dhaka's traffic we normally start early. The drivers are punctual to the dot, amiable and will enlighten you about events that may disrupt or delay your travels. Recently, on our way back from Bogra, I suggested that we come through Ashulia and not the usual Savar route. No sir, there's a fifty percent discount at Fantasy Kingdom and traffic will be terrible, suggested the driver, as he took the road through Savar.
And then this odd signal of keeping your right indicator on while you travel the highways, and not really taking a right turn. Doesn't this confuse people? I asked. No, this is the latest fad with us drivers, he says. This means that there is a vehicle up ahead, and do not try to overtake. As soon as it is news time, the FM channels are switched on. If you are on a mobile phone call, he will discreetly lower the volume. These drivers really spoil you with their attention. This really heartens me of the way service concept is slowly taking roots in growing a business.
Much to the embarrassment of our driver, his microbus wouldn't start in Bogra. We had another microbus that drove its one close, got two thick wires, got the batteries aligned, and presto. The micro was up and running. Sir, keep these two wires. With these automatic gear cars, you never know when you can get stranded. Sound advice.
Which reminds me of a taxi ride from our office to the airport in Singapore. A tall man in his early fifties, the driver exuded a sense of calm and grandeur. As we got to talking, he smiled when I told him of my profession. Glancing back through the rear mirror, he said he was once a six digit per year salaried professional manager. He decided to quit his highly paid job and perks as the stress and the rat race was too much for him. He took solace in the practice of Zen Buddhism and meditation and now lives happily. He and his wife live a simple life in a simple home and are content with the daily income of a taxi hire. He simply relishes the freedom to do what he wants and finds enjoyment in living life simply.
People teach us wonderful lessons. Slow down and enjoy life, enjoyment not meaning the material possession of worldly goods but enjoying life in its simplicity and in its totality.
The writer is managing director of Syngenta Bangladesh Ltd.