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Comment by GordonS | Hacker News Reader

I had something similar happen somewhere in India (I forget where, but probably Mumbai or Delhi), except we were in a taxi!

My wife and I were in the back row, when the driver suddenly stopped, and a guy got in the front seat... and then 2 more got in the back, one at either side of us (which yes, was extremely uncomfortable). Nobody said a word the whole time. The driver drove off, and dropped all of them off a short time later.

Very strange!

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That would probably be in Delhi, not Mumbai. Mumbai's taxis almost never do this when they are running officially by the meter.

And in my experience, Mumbai's taxis almost never run by a meter, and when they do it's very obviously rigged (at least when used by pasty Scots).

Ah yes you were charged the white tax. Mumbai taxis are actually famous for going by the meter while pretty much taxis in other metro Indian cities dont.

Since you dont look "Indian" the taxis know they can get more money out of you.

Next time before you enter the taxi try saying "Meter say chalo" which in Hindi means go by the meter.

Yes, I/we were charged this tax on more or less every rick/taxi ride.

If I even asked for the meter (in English, mind), rather than negotiated a price beforehand, we invariably got a rigged meter anyway! I'll try it in Hindi if I ever get back though!

Unfortunately that happens (happened personally with me many times) and it's indeed strange and dangerous.

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