Taxi in Beijing

The very interesting thing I observed in Beijing is that it is very rarely to see skillful taxi drivers. In Taipei, the taxi drivers are almost qualified in Formula 1 racing. They weave, speed, go through narrow street with ease. I heard a story that a Taipei taxi driver claimed he can drive over a coin with any tire of his car, after tossing out the coin from the window at the driver side. No one believed him, placing bets he cannot do it but he's won all the bets. Front left, front right, rear left and rear right.... I don't know how much time he spent in practicing.

But the fact is, driving in Taipei is rather safe. Because most people who share the road with you are very well-prepared, most can accurately estimate the space and time. As long as you are moving, chances that you are run over by a car are slim.

But in Beijing, taxi drivers are extremely anal, almost painfully careful. They would not bend the rule and never know if there is a short cut (or they would rather not knowing it) to save time. Perhaps there is no need to hurry for them... When two cars passing each other in a narrow street, they would almost hold the car still for minutes to calculate the space although there is plenty of room.

On the contrary, there is virtually no space between cars, motorcycles and pedestrains. But they all live happily together. My father, the motorbike lover, once had his toe run over by the taxi in Taipei while stopping in front of the red light and sticked out his left foot to hold the motorbike. Well... this indeed proves my theory that you are safe in Taipei as long as you are moving along with the traffice.