Wise Taxi Driver

Finally booked out from camp this morning.

Wasn't such a bad thing being confined actually. Had more things to do that at home! Haha. Well I'm saying that cause...

Anyway, I left in time to make it to Melvin's floorball game actually, only in the end I spent about 45mins searching for that damn sports hall. I think the bus driver I asked at the bus interchange pointed me in the wrong direction. In the end the heat of Singapore got to me and I gave up (Sorry Mel!) and flagged a taxi home.

Hmm interesting person the taxi driver was. Mr Kali-something. Haha. I must say, he was very professional. When he asked where I was headed to, he also asked me how did I want to go about it. Me being unlearned about Singapore's highway system I merely told him what I've told other taxi driver, "The best way Uncle!"

Giving me a smile, he patiently went on to clearly explain the route he was going to take. I was quite surprised at his professionalism and appreciated it very much I did. After which he went on his way and offered me the newspaper in front of me with "This belongs to the Taxi Driver" scrawled on it.

Just as I was about to start on the newspaper, he started speaking to me about something which I've forgotten, but then realising I was reading he told me to carry on. After pondering for a while, I decided to put down the newspaper and thought talking to the uncle was a better way to spend my time. And talked we did.

First, I asked him whether he works the late shift and whether he has any supernatural experience to share. Unfortunately he did not but he went on to tell me his take on such things. "It's all in the mind you see. What you believe, your mind will conjure. It's all about belief. For example, when you entered my car just now, it was up to me to believe whether you will pay me or not. And it was up to you to believe whether I will take you to your destination or not. It is beliefs that rules our every actions"

Omg, how often do you meet a wise taxi driver?

Then he switched topics.

"Boy, you have girlfriend or not? Steady on or play play only?"

"Well then you know how to win the heart and soul?"

"Uncle tell you."

Apparently it wasn't exactly something I knew. But he was so sincere about sharing it I couldn't help but hang on to his every word. In short, it was about putting EFFORT into it. Effort into everything you do. Say you planned on giving her this beautiful watch. If you have the cash, you could easily just buy it for her. But compare it to this, a guy who isn't as well off, but he still wants to get that watch. So he puts money into the bank and saves. The girl receives the gifts, knowing he doesn't have the financial capability to get it, she asks him how did he manage. He tells her he saves. And so he wins her heart. The effort. It's THAT that wins the heart and soul.

WOW SO DEEP LAR.

Haha and when we were nearing my place, I could have asked him to stop at the bus stop so he wouldn't have to turn in which will take a longer route, but I didn't. Didn't want him to cut his story short cause of that. I didn't mind paying extra to hear him speak.

Reminds me of another taxi driver I talked to on the way to camp. He was a pro-hokkien person. He spent the whole journey promoting and explaining to me why it was good to learn hokkien. And he was absolutely horrified to know that I couldn't speak it though I was teochew. When I got to camp, he gave me a 50cent discount for being teochew. (LOL not much but hey, how often do you get that? HEHE.)

Taxi Drivers have countless story to share, and we could all learn a thing or two. So next time you get on board a taxi, leave your iPhone/Newspaper/PSP/iPod in your bag and spend some time talking to them. You'll never know, something good could come out of it.