I wanted to keep yesterday’s report on my weekend in Yerevan positive, but my stay did end on a down note. And while perhaps it should not bother me, it really does…
When it was time to go, I had the Hyatt Place order a cab for me. If you go out and try to find a cab on the street, you’re either going to ripped off or endure a long negotiating session.
The flat rate from central Yerevan to the airport is 2,000 AMD (4 USD). That’s cheap, but the cost of living is much lower in Yerevan than in the West; it is not exploitation.
When we arrived at the airport, I only had a 5,000 AMD note. I was planning on tipping him 1,000 (you should have seen the look of delight that spread across the face of our cab driver on the way into Yerevan when we tipped him that).
Handing over the bill, I asked him for change. He nodded and told me to hold on while he got it from his car. He opened his car door as I waited outside…
…and floored it.
With tires screeching, the guy drove off with my 5,000 AMD!
Unlike in Zanzibar, I did not bother to chase the man. I just shook my head.
The issue is not the money. I would have given him the money if he had asked for it. Heck, this post will generate more than $4 so I am thankful (in a backwards sense) it happened.
But I was so disappointed. Such conduct is hardly a reflection on the Armenian people, but it certainly reinforces my viewpoint that cab drivers are crooked around much of the world.
Why steal from a tourist? Because you can? Because you saw me as a dupe for handing you over the money in the first place? Or do you think you were justified because I have more money than you? Do you not realize that order breaks down when everyone steals from one another?
I don’t care how destitute the man was or how privileged I am. You don’t steal. It is not justified. It is morally reprehensible. And frankly, it helps to explain why the cab driver felt such desperation to take what was not his. What goes around most certainly comes around.
To be clear, this was not a communication issue. The man spoke English and clearly understood I asked for change. He knew what he was doing.
CONCLUSION
I wish I could say the cab driver was “wicked” in the British informal sense (excellent, wonderful), but he was not. While I try to be generous and would have given the guy the whole 5,000 if he had asked nicely, there is absolutely no justification for stealing. I forgive the man, but hope that he will not get away with his next attempt to steal from unsuspecting tourists.
> Read More: Looted But Not Livid in Zanzibar
Oh well, the advertised rate for a taxi from the airport to the city center is 5000 AMD. It is clearly stated on a rollup by the taxi booth at the airport.
Agreed. And to make it worse, it was one of your final impressions from the visit.
There is also a flat rate to FCO from within the center of the city. And while I encounter no problems far more often than I do, having to argue with a taxi driver is always an unfortunate way to end a visit.
Nothing to do for it but go back and have a better time!
I agree 100% with your assessment of the situation. Stealing is wrong. Your story also perfectly highlights why travelers love Uber/ride-sharing when travelling in emerging markets where they don’t have metered cabs. It’s so refreshing to have a guaranteed non-inflated fare and not to have to deal with the hassle of negotiating a price when you have no knowledge of the local market and so are very ripe to be exploited.
Keep it in perspective. People in the US, wait I mean whites and select few token non whites as placeholders for diversity, get away with a lot more. All the people doing MS on their credit cards are engaged in the same thing.
The white phenomenon in how I steal is not stealing but how others steal is stealing. I would be upset too but it’s not worth it being upset about.
This is an incredibly stupid comment. You’ve managed to use meaningless “woke” language. You do not pass go and you are a loser
You are absolutely right. Your taxi driver, and many others, are why I love hearing about rideshares eating into taxi bottom lines. Almost universally thieves in every culture. Enjoy your slide into poverty gentlemen.
That is why I loved the taxi system in Barcelona. During a 6 day stay we took around 50 different taxis in the city. Every single one was perfect. Cars were spotless clean. None had more than 5 years. You spot them all over the city. As soon as you waive your hand one stops. Air conditioner always on, once you step in they press the meter and the official start rate shows up. Once you get to your destination driver stops the meter and you show your credit card. Every taxi carries a credit card reader that is touch less. You touch the reader with your card, it takes couple second for the transaction to confirm and you are on your way out. Perfect!!!!! Worst place ever for taxi is Bangkok. You are scammed no mater how smart you are.
Agreed. Was in Barcelona two weeks ago and appreciated honest cab driver. Same in Germany and Scandinavia.
I would argue Japan is the same too. White-gloved taxi drivers, immaculate cars with automatic doors, always use the meter, no tipping, they are generally widely available… the only problem is they tend to be quite pricey. Tokyo cabs start at around 700 yen I believe.
I’m Armenian and I feel so ashamed of that behavior. Matthew, I’m apologizing on behalf of that taxi driver. So embarrassing…
Have to confess – taxi culture in Armenia is awfully bad. If you do not order a taxi from uber-alike platforms than you are 70% out of luck to come across a bad experience. We have zero regulations related to that. Although I am sure that Armenians are very hospitable people, still taxi drivers won’t ever miss their chance to get an extra $ from tourists.
Would suggest using GG taxi, Yandex taxi, maxim, U-taxi apps instead of catching a taxi on the road.
Thanks Anranik. We used Yandex on the way in. Should have used it on the way out, but instead let the Hyatt call one for us.
I am Armenian, born and raised there and I think you might have misinterpreted the situation. In Armenian culture, when cab drivers (also most of the services ) don’t have change for your note there are 3 ways to handle that situation: 1. you agree to give all that money without getting any change back, 2. they ask you to go and ask around the stores, cafes and etc. to see whether you can find a change for you note, 3. If the driver is nice he takes care of it – goes and tries to find a change for you. Of course which option to choose is agreed after a discussion with the client. But I assume you don’t speak Armenian, and knowing that most of the cab drivers hardly speak any English back home, I assume the guy could explain you to go and get a change from somewhere, so he decided to go and ask around himself (cause also if you don’t speak English you would have trouble to get it). That’s why he left the car with you being in it. Probably, he had to ask around couple of places for change. I honestly believe if you waited long enough he would have come back with your change 🙂
As per Matt, that isn’t how it happened…the man was paid while they were standing next to the taxi, the man said he would get change from the taxi, and then just drove off.
I mean, how long was Matt supposed to wait outside the airport for the guy to come back with his change?
If that was the case and that’s a big IF, that still raises the issue of why cab drivers don’t carry change? Further evidence of why ride-sharing will destroy taxis’ market share given the change.
You get in any cab, anywhere, first thing you do is whip out your phone, take a couple photos of the taxi license, driver credentials, etc. And a shot of the person driving, for goo measure. Make sure they see you do this, especially the photo of the driver’s face – maybe ask him to “say cheese” as you snap the photo, just to reinforce the subtle message. Snap a shoot of the meter, too, at the start and the finish of the drive. You can tell the driver it’s for your website.
You won’t have any trouble at the end of the ride.
Or at the very least, what I do is I always make sure I have change before going to the airport. Keep as many small bills as possible…
Indeed. I tried to make change at the Hyatt and they had no cash. Never again.
Hope this doesn’t detir anyone from traveling to my country. I can’t say why this driver did what he did but I can tell you that most Armenian cab drivers are honest ( there will always be exceptions).
So in your view you need to be a paparazzi to ride a taxi. That is ridiculous when you are grabbing a taxi on the street and are busy.
Heloooo everyone
Stilling is wrong yes I agree but the cab drivers still in
Los Angeles… Las Vegas… New York and more fixing up there miters so does not make better here
….. again what he did was wrong but everywhere in world taxi drivers are crazy crooks, still and lie..
Heloooo everyone
Stilling is wrong yes I agree but the cab drivers still in
Los Angeles… Las Vegas… New York and more fixing up there miters so does not make better here
….. again what he did was wrong but everywhere in world taxi drivers are crazy crooks, still and lie..
Of course this is just a small amount, but it does highlight one of the big rules I have when taking taxis anywhere in the world: have lots of small change!
I live in Yerevan….the normal taxi fare to the airport is NOT 2,000…..even the Uber service is more than that…and when you call a taxi from a hotel in Yerevan they always arrive with a meter showing the fare…..
Don’t peddle fake news here. The fare to the airport is 2,000 if you call a taxi. We spoke to multiple people AND the meter was fixed at 2,000 on the ride there. My business partner traveled separately and paid 2,000 to his driver. Rate is 3,000 from the airport into Yerevan.
Hi, I am an armenian woman, from Armenia. Living abroad. One of the reasons I get nervous in Armenia is not feeling safe in taxi. I know they are going to overcharge without feeling any shame (they do it to locals to, but more to tourists, especially from the airport, the airport ones just some gang coming sticking on you the moment I get off the plane, I always say somebody’s meeting me then call a taxi by the app ). I thought it’s only armenians who’d do such things until one day in Georgia I asked the driver to take me to somewhere, he just drove around then stopped at the same place, I’ve only realised after paying and getting out of the taxi. But then they have opened the taxi apps, which really helped the situation, of course there are still shameless taxists, or companies but the situation got controlled a bit. I was really happy I don’t have to catch a cab from outside or ring. And they can’t overcharge. And I met really nice taxi drivers, seriously I was surprised, they were young intelligent, honest and most importantly clean people I had nice chat with, who were just earning extra money besides their main job. Try not to use a taxi from outside, use the apps. Please don’t be disappointed in Armenians, not everyone is like that. It doesn’t matter if they are in a financial worse situation, it’s really not nice. Anyway the good news is 5000 is about 10 dollars, I’m just kidding, it doesn’t matter.