Topic: Green lights on Irish taxis

[Immoral King Brian Blessed]

There's homosexuals in Ireland?

Only in the Priesthood.

[Hunter Thompson]

Only in the Priesthood.

As long as they're not driving taxis.

[MassDriver]

The green lights do not denote skin colour though. Just that the driver is Irish.

Yay!  They are not racists , only Xenophobes!!!.. Alls fine then...

[Sr Harvest Fiields]

Yay!  They are not racists , only Xenophobes!!!.. Alls fine then...

Fuck me sideways, i was just stating a fact. Wherein my post did i say they were just Xenophobes? And where did i say it was fine.

[conman]

Fuck me sideways, i was just stating a fact. Wherein my post did i say they were just Xenophobes? And where did i say it was fine.

welcome to the thread Sir, it's an uphill battle with these guys

[MassDriver]

Fuck me sideways, i was just stating a fact. Wherein my post did i say they were just Xenophobes? And where did i say it was fine.

The tone of your post suggested it was 'ok' as long as it is not about skin color, probably due to the 'just' before Irish...

bad day.. all of us are tightly wound... no offence...

[Sr Harvest Fiields]

The tone of your post suggested it was 'ok' as long as it is not about skin color, probably due to the 'just' before Irish...

bad day.. all of us are tightly wound... no offence...

No offence taken mate. I see why the taxi drivers have done it, not saying its right , but i do see why. I dont have to agree to it but i can see the reasons.

[MassDriver]

No offence taken mate. I see why the taxi drivers have done it, not saying its right , but i do see why. I dont have to agree to it but i can see the reasons.

Yeah... 

Don't think it will last long anyway...

[El Campeador]

Hold on a sec.  I'm guessing El Cid learned to drive in either Boston or Dubai.


I'd trust a driver that learned in Lagos (or Kerry) anyday over those two.

[WhoHe]

I can sadly see this sort of thing spreading as I have noticed a massive increase in immigrant taxi drivers and every taxi I get the drivers always talk about this subject.
I think market forces will eventually sort this out as my sister got a taxi into town and he went all over the shop as he couldn't understand/speak a word of English so she couldn't explain directions and he was using satnav to get everywhere  ! So she will not use that taxi company again, so if you are crap then you get no fares = no job.

What surprised me is that I would have thought that basic english would have been needed to pass a taxi drivers test but obviously not.

[nyctex]

but of course.




 

[KERRYKOP]

was just annoyed that racism is still taken so lightly in Britain.

Oh that winds me up that does.

Do they teach geography or history over there in Britain?

[smithy]

This is interesting. The quotation in the op is racist but surely one idiotic driver's views cannot be looked upon as the voice of all the Dublin taxi drivers?

After re-reading I think my previous post was poorly worded and was absolutely not written to argue the point. Just an off topic observation.

I think the green light thing is disgusting, anti-competitive, and potentially racism inciting behavior.

[SP]

Also, could the OP remove that offending apostrophe in the title? It hurts my delicate soul.

 

[corkboy]

Buíochas.

[BarryCrocker]

All Irish born people should have to wear a big green shamrock patch, just like the yellow ones that Jewish people had to wear in Germany in the 1940’s.

[hide5seek]

Anyway its the Poles you dont want to be near when there on the road, loads where I live and they are shit.

[Lawnmowerman]

Forget it.  Doesn't concern me as hopefully I will never face the situation of having to visit the place anyway. 

Hopefully. We've enough judgemental fuckers in our city without the likes of yourself showing up

[1021]

There's homosexuals in Ireland?

'I could have had any ambassadorship I wanted. Even to the world's gayest country. Ireland.'

[lucas21]

All Irish born people should have to wear a big green shamrock patch, just like the yellow ones that Jewish people had to wear in Germany in the 1940’s.

I had no idea that Jewish people had to wear yellow shamrocks in Germany in the 1940's.

Any ideas what the English could wear?

[corkboy]

I had no idea that Jewish people had to wear yellow shamrocks in Germany in the 1940's.

Any ideas what the English could wear?

I believe our Mr Crocker is of the Australian persuasion, which means he would just be wearing the standard convict uniform.

[BarryCrocker]

I believe our Mr Crocker is of the Australian persuasion, which means he would just be wearing the standard convict uniform.

I actually arrived in Australia from Ireland on a Boeing 747 flying 1st Class.

[corkboy]

I actually arrived in Australia from Ireland on a Boeing 747 flying 1st Class.

Sittin' next to Vanna White?

[♠Dirty Harry♠]

I actually arrived in Australia from Ireland on a Boeing 747 flying 1st Class.

Con air

[El Campeador]

[macca888]

Just a thought for the immigrants. Buy yourself one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18-Green-Aerodynamic-Taxi-Roof-Sign-Box-Light-bright-LEDs-/160787962308?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CommercialVehicleParts_SM&hash=item256fb599c4

Then when a fare gets in the cab say "Top of the morning." Once they've told you their destination, say "To be sure." Then don't say another word for the rest of the journey and rip them off. These fucking Irish taxi drivers eh. It's not like you need to decipher the Enigma code to fool them.

[Roady]

think i was pissed constantly when i lived over there.THought all the lights were green on taxis? or maybe they were yellow? fuck knows.

[Redallover11]

I'm Irish and just like over here in the states there is in European countries  underlying racism especially Ireland.
My parents generation called blacks nig nogs and darkies..  My generation was more abrasive I suppose terms like  coon would be heard or nigger.

The Irish are an insular people and influx's of new identities coming into Ireland is something new so the 98 % white catholic population has changed.I think there is about a 15% foreign born population now. If you were born inthe 60's like I was the chances in Dublin of seeing black people might happen if you are hanging around the college of surgeons. We had one black person in our class and he was one of two in our town.


In New York City where I have spent the last 16 years of my life as a barman, let me tell you there is no greater place to really get to know people because after a few drinks anything goes. And you get a pretty good picture where I am located. I have had blue collar construction workers change their whole persona when their black buddy has left them. I have had white collar people "thanking god" that there are people the likes of me coming over and not illegals from Mexico. a lot are from Guatemala, but hey what's the difference right.

We can be all for  the tinkers  getting a halting site but just not beside my home right. It's the same with race. Oh sure I'm not racist just so long as you don't move in beside me. And then when I do i BEGRUDGINGLY THROUGH GRITTED TEETH have to get to know you and then find out you're actually  pretty sound.

It is an anomaly if you get into a new york taxi over here and get a native new yorker. It is an anomaly if you get a white driver period.

I worked alongside a gay guy for 4 years in the same bar in a very Irish Republican bar who were all into civil rights but the racist undertones was shocking and being a  gay as well.....let's not go there. There is safety in the pack. To fight for the minority takes real courage and unfortunately most of us don't have enough of it. So these are all my own personal experiences of two very different communities I have lived and worked in all my life and for people to say it's not there is just not true.

Secondly on Corky's point of seeing elderly or black people I will politely disagree. I drive safely regardless of who is in front of me or around me. I didn't always and my guess is many drivers did the same around me when I didn't drive as well as I do now. The first thing I see is the car not the driver and  accommodate accordingly.

I have driven up and down the turnpike for years and have had trucks barrel pass me and drive right up behind me to indicate that I wasn't driving the way they wanted me too.  When this happens I get out of their way. I cannot be on the lookout for asshole truck drivers or a certain type of trucker. One is you can't see them as they sit way higher than you and secondly you cannot mitigate for all of them, there is just too many. You just drive as safely as possible in your surroundings.

[conman]

I'm Irish and just like over here in the states there is in European countries  underlying racism especially Ireland.

The green lights does not indicate that the driver is white. Paul McGrath can go stick a green light if he wants on his taxi & sing olé olé.

I disagree with you disagreeing with Corky disagreeing with people who disagreed with me where i disagreed with others (phew!) that there are differences in how people drive . This can depend on a range of circumstances, such as age, sex, where they learned to drive (As there are different standards & expectations). It's simply not correct to dismiss that out of hand.

People often talk about how mental it is driving in Rome, Bangkok, etc. Would it be fair to say that a randomly chosen group of Irish drivers may struggle to adapt on these busy/mental roads? I'd say so.

[corkboy]

Secondly on Corky's point of seeing elderly or black people I will politely disagree. I drive safely regardless of who is in front of me or around me.

You don't drive differently if you encounter a Learner driver?

[Redallover11]

well if i'm a dick I might drive more aggressively, did that when I was much younger. but to be honest no I don't. like I said according to what I see around me If I see the car going really slow because there is a big L plate on the car I can assume that the driver is learning and is therefore nervous of her surroundings and I will get out of her/his way as much as I can. If I see the same L plated car driving keeping up with traffic etc. I will go about my business, however unlike when I was younger and not very responsible I certainly won't like some drivers do to me and drive right up behind her because he /she isn't going fast enough.








*her  changed to her/his... wow is that a freudian or what

[Redallover11]

The green lights does not indicate that the driver is white. Paul McGrath can go stick a green light if he wants on his taxi & sing olé olé.

I disagree with you disagreeing with Corky disagreeing with people who disagreed with me where i disagreed with others (phew!) that there are differences in how people drive . This can depend on a range of circumstances, such as age, sex, where they learned to drive (As there are different standards & expectations). It's simply not correct to dismiss that out of hand.

People often talk about how mental it is driving in Rome, Bangkok, etc. Would it be fair to say that a randomly chosen group of Irish drivers may struggle to adapt on these busy/mental roads? I'd say so.

No it doesen't indicate it but with all threats whether it be your job or your neighbourhood it is a good way of saying hey Irish person  give the Irish the fare.
What would be much more beneficial would be for the same drivers to ensure that all taxi drivers have the same education or pass certain criteria before a permit is/licence is allowed.

If there is no such thing or if that ship has sailed then they need to lobby to get it addressed. Because otherwise it is saying that Irish born drivers are safer and discriminating against every other taxi driver  minority out there.

I'm not dismissing that people drive differently. Of course they do. Do you look for a teenager that is on their own or one that has a passenger? Any color any road. Why? because the chances of the two or more or far greater of them getting into an accident.

My father in law drives nearly down the middle of the road He's 82. We are desperate to get him off the road. His responses are slow and I lurch approaching red lights. But I have the exact same experience with a middle ageds bloke I know because He drives a massive Ford 150 and thinks he owns the road.

[Redallover11]

People often talk about how mental it is driving in Rome, Bangkok, etc. Would it be fair to say that a randomly chosen group of Irish drivers may struggle to adapt on these busy/mental roads? I'd say so.

yes absolutely I think that is true of anyone learning something new. everyone has a learning curve no?

So would you say that every Bangkok driver that is operating a taxi service has had the necessary experience to make them competent. Surely in a mad house like Bangkok that there are plenty of native thais that have come up from rural areas looking for work and the only thing they might have driven before that are oxen.

I might  take my chances with an Irishman who has been driving in New York for 16 years.

[Redallover11]

Look here's another scenario. I come back from the states and I can't find a bar job. My mate says I can drive the night shift on his plate. I say fair play and head off to the taxi rank. I stick my green light on top of my taxi and somebody if they know the meaning behind the light assumes I am Irish (i don't even know if it means native or holds an Irish passport) and I know the roads correct!

Tourists ask ask me to take them to  xyz street in say (somewhere I have no clue of say Cabra.) I am reliant on the gps because I don't have a notion the best and fastest way to get there. Meanwhile there is a polish or african driver behind me who has been at the rank for the last just say 3 years could be five could be even 10. What are the chances of him having a much better idea than me of how to get there the quickest way? Plus he has the GPS.

[El Campeador]

But he's not Irish, like.

[Redallover11]

Correct El C
isn't that my point.

[macca888]

yes absolutely I think that is true of anyone learning something new. everyone has a learning curve no?

So would you say that every Bangkok driver that is operating a taxi service has had the necessary experience to make them competent. Surely in a mad house like Bangkok that there are plenty of native thais that have come up from rural areas looking for work and the only thing they might have driven before that are oxen.

I might  take my chances with an Irishman who has been driving in New York for 16 years.

Not many of those Irish with a 16 year US driving licence in Bangkok though mate so you might have a long wait. Take the oxen, it'll probably be faster than waiting for one of those to come along.

[jarg of pickled onions]

At least we won't have to check underneath the taxis that don't have a green light! 

[redbyrdz]

What a load of shite.

Does the green light mean the driver is Irish? Or white? Can't you be Irish and black, asian, whatever? And what about those Irish that have an Irish passport due to their Irish grandparents, bu have never been to Ireland?

What's important about a taxi driver is that they know their way around, get you there safely, and don't rip you off. There's tests they have to pass to show that they can do both of that, if they pass them, what the fuck does it matter where they're from, what their passports say or what colour they are?t

[jaffod]

Anyway its the Poles you dont want to be near when there on the road, loads where I live and they are shit.

  Telegraph poles?