(I: Interviewer N: Nancy)
I: Hello, Nancy, I know you are one of a few women taxi drivers in the city now, and you drive for a living. What made you want to be a common taxi driver in the first place
N: (1) I took pride in driving well, even when I was young for I have to wait until I have a car to learn to drive. When I finally learned, it was something I really enjoyed and still enjoy. I remember how smart those taxi drivers have seemed driving so well, and dressed so neatly in their uniforms. I thought I’d like to do that myself.
I: You really enjoy driving, I see. And how long have you been a taxi driver
N: Eh, altogether 12 years.
I: Mm, it’s been quite some time already, hasn’t it
N: Yeah.
I: (2) Then, what did you find the most difficult about becoming a taxi driver
N: (2) I can still remember when I was first learning to drive. It was scary I didn’t know yet how to judge distance. And when a big truck came near, it seemed like a wheel was just coming right over me. Anyway, soon I learned to judge distance. I began to look ahead, stopped worrying about trucks and about what was moving on either side.
I: In your opinion, what does it take to become a good taxi driver
N: Eh, besides driving well, the most important thing that a taxi driver needs to know is the streets and I know the city well because I have lived in it for a long time. I know all the main streets, and even the side streets. And of course, you have to keep updating your knowledge of the streets because the city changes. There might be a new road appearing somewhere one day.
I: Now, what about annual leaves Do you have them
N: Oh, yes. When I first started, I had only 10 days. Now I have 3 weeks every year with pay.
I: Just out of curiosity. When you go on vacation to another place or city, do you drive there as well
N: In most cases, not. I prefer to be driven by others if I go by car. I would also prefer to go by train or plane, if there is a choice. I have already had too much driving in my life, so when I’m on holiday, I just want to relax.
I: Oh, I see. Let’s come back to your work. Are there any unpleasant aspects in your job
N: The only serious difficulty in this work is that it’s sometimes dangerous to drive at night. But you have choices, and I always choose to work days rather than at night.
I: What’s the best part of your job
N: (3) I soon found that what I like best about the job was being outdoors, seeing how this city changes from season to season. And there are places of scene I would probably never have seen in another job. And I love all kinds of weather. I like to leave the window down in a fine rain, and, and when I have a long drive, maybe end of the day, I sometimes go pass my home to tell my two little children I’ll be home soon, when they always want to come along in my car.
I: Do they I guess kids all like to be taken for a ride sometimes.
N: Yes, but you cannot take any all along, and thus they pay or you pay for them. (4) So I’ve to pay their fares one of these days, and take them out in my taxi, because I really think it is fun out into the countryside on the long drive, with the fresh air and sun shining. You just seem to want to drive for ever. At least that is how it’s for me.
I: Being a taxi driver, you have to meet all kinds of people. How do you feel about that
N: I enjoy meeting many different people. I might not have met some of them if not for this job. I learned a lot how people behave in these years.
I: Can you tell us a bit more about it
N: (5) The biggest advantage is that you come across various characters in your work. Some people are interesting, some rushed, some pleasant, some funny, some talkative, some so pressed for time that they change clothes in the taxi. Those who are in the greatest rush would sometimes forget to pay.
I: Have you ever met some people who don’t like women drivers
N: Yeah. Once a passenger really objected to having a woman driver. I laughed at him so much that he stopped his fussing. Although there has been one or two cases like this, I still think most people are nice to woman drivers. So this is really an interesting part of my work.
I: Now my last question. Have you ever thought of changing your job
N: Not yet. I might in a few years time, but not at this moment, because I really enjoy my work. And I do get lots of satisfaction out of it. So why should I
I: OK. Our interview is coming to the end. I’d like to wind up our interview by wishing you good luck in your job. Thank you very much for your time, Nancy.
N: Pleasure.