Once Was More Than Enough.

[Helen Gleason]

Hey, I just wanted to give my friends coming to Suzhou a heads-up about taking taxis here...

I've stayed here for three days and took around six or seven rides throughout this period. Most of the drivers' attitudes and service were... hmm... somewhat difficult to describe.

• Aggressive driving style: Some drivers don't always allow straight-moving cars when turning corners, which might appear pushy. They also drive quite fast, nearly hitting side road electric scooters multiple times.

• Cold demeanor: Some drivers seem to believe they're superior to passengers. There was one driver who said he was doing us a favor by taking the order on his good day. And another driver kept ranting about how he would be at a loss for this ride despite picking up our order.

• Navigation issues: We even encountered some drivers struggling to find our destination store, denying any responsibility with accusations against passenger's positioning.

• In-car conditions: Some cars were rather smoky and littered with ashes.

Overall, I felt that the taxi industry's overall service atmosphere here wasn't very friendly. So, personally, I probably won't be visiting Suzhou again.

---

️ TIPS FOR FOREIGN FRIENDS TAKING TAXIS IN SUZHOU

• Road safety measures:

Problem: Some drivers may drive aggressively, either cutting off other vehicles at turns or speeding.

Suggestion: If you feel the driver is dangerous or drives too fast, politely remind them to slow down. You can say “Shifu, máfan nín kāi màn yīdiǎn, xièxie!” ("Driver, please slow down a bit, thank you!") or “Bǐ yào bù qī qià, xiǎng hěn jì kū." ("If necessary, consider taking another taxi.") 

• Clear communication of destination:

Problem: Drivers may accuse you of being inaccurate with the location of your destination.

Suggestion: Confirm your destination with the driver before getting in or immediately after boarding. Write down the address or show it on Google Maps. Provide the driver with a hotel card if possible. 

• Approach to dealing with drivers who show unpleasant attitude:

Problem: Some drivers may not seem friendly. 

Suggestion: Be patient and avoid taking anything personally. Avoid further arguments if the conversation becomes uncomfortable as Chinese service industry people tend to express themselves more straightforwardly even when they don't intend to be hostile. 

• Car environment:

Problem: Some inside of the car might be smoky or untidy.

Suggestion: Inspect the vehicle beforehand but some issues might become clear only when you've entered the ride. Endure the discomfort for a short distance but consider changing the taxi for a longer trip. 

• Ride-hailing apps:

Suggestion: Apps like Didi Chuxing are highly popular in China. These apps usually offer better management, estimated prices, transparent driver information. And sometimes, provide better service experience than regular taxis. 

I hope these tips prove useful!