5 Ways to Turn Cabbies Into Tour Guides
3. Buffer Your Travel Time
“When does your train leave?” the Scottish cabby asked. “Do you girls have time for a quick city tour?”
We did, in fact, have time and plenty to kill. So the cabby drove us around the city, pointing out famous buildings, local pranks (like the statue of the Duke of Wellington that forever has a traffic cone on its head), and other hotspots. He even dropped us off at Sauchiehall Street, the main thoroughfare of the city, so we could get a flavor of it as we walked to the station.
By having spare time, we were able to take him up on his offer and explore a little. Though of course it wasn’t as great as spending more time in the city, we did leave with a much bigger appreciation than we might otherwise have had.
I’ve found this is also a great tactic if you’re staying someplace for any length of time. You can ask the cabby to help orient you to the area, and normally he’s happy to point out the important shops, hubs, and restaurants. (I mean, he’s getting paid for driving you around, so of course he’s happy.)
Be prepared for a detour, and get excited!
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