Rio's 360 Degrees Tour With Its Taxistas

There is something about taxi drivers, which probably makes them a separate species. They are probably the best observers of human behaviour, great talkers and commentators on current affairs. And they are a very good source of information and political analysis for journalists. From Delhi to Tokyo to New York, taxi drivers follow a similar behavioural pattern.

And then there are taxi drivers (called taxista) of Rio de Janeiro. They are a different sub-species of this breed.  Full of information and compulsive talkers, the Rio taxistas wear several hats: football expert, political commentator, marriage counsellor, police informers and everything one can imagine. The moment you get into a taxi here and say “bom dia” (good day), the taxistas start talking, with the conversation jumping from one topic to another in a matter of minutes.

On Thursday, I am in a taxi from Flamengo to Leblon, a ride goes cuts through green hills, a tunnel and passes by a lake. It lasts less than 20 minutes. In such a short drive, Paulo the driver, has found that I am a gringo (foreigner), advised me how to speak like a Carioca (Rio accent), given me on a virtual tour of the city, explained what’s wrong with Brazilian football and politics, and also asked me to explain why people in India consider the vaca (cow) as sacred. And he has also complained about people these days using whatsapp in the taxi and not having good conversation with the drivers. “And never ever use Uber” is his parting shot.

While taxi drivers in many cities around the world would not speak until spoken to, the Carioca drivers go out of their way to engage you in a conversation and offer all the help one may or may need.

Next three weeks in the city and we look forward to a 360 degree tour of the city with Rio taxistas.