I've taken an auto-rickshaw nearly every day that I've been in India. I generally enjoy the time. But I've had a variety of experiences. I thoroughly enjoy getting away for a few hours, zooming along in the little tuk-tuk around Delhi. I have never gotten used to homeless people begging at notoriously long stoplights, occasionally refusing to leave my side and pulling on my clothes.
As for the drivers, I've also had a range of experiences. I've had a few try to charge me 200 for a 50 rupee ride, or get lost and want me to pay for it, or tell me they don't have change and I'll just have to pay twice as much. However, despite once or twice having to call a hindi-speaking friend and hand over the phone, I've never once not gotten to where I was going.
I've also had some incredibly nice rickshaw drivers. Some are just brimming with happiness, and to keep that all day when all they do is drive around Delhi - thats impressive. I've had some very sweet, some tell the beggars I'm not going to buy things from them, one even charged me less after getting to where I was going. In addition, sometimes I find drivers keen to practice their english. Most are curious as to where I'm from, how long I've been in India, and if I speak hindi. My favorite questions however have been, "Would you have a love-marriage or an arranged marriage?" and "Are you a Christian?"
As for the drivers, I've also had a range of experiences. I've had a few try to charge me 200 for a 50 rupee ride, or get lost and want me to pay for it, or tell me they don't have change and I'll just have to pay twice as much. However, despite once or twice having to call a hindi-speaking friend and hand over the phone, I've never once not gotten to where I was going.
I've also had some incredibly nice rickshaw drivers. Some are just brimming with happiness, and to keep that all day when all they do is drive around Delhi - thats impressive. I've had some very sweet, some tell the beggars I'm not going to buy things from them, one even charged me less after getting to where I was going. In addition, sometimes I find drivers keen to practice their english. Most are curious as to where I'm from, how long I've been in India, and if I speak hindi. My favorite questions however have been, "Would you have a love-marriage or an arranged marriage?" and "Are you a Christian?"
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