Here’s the final piece: be ready. When a cab stops, don’t hold a conversation with your friend about where you’re going while the meter ticks. Hop in, close the door, and say, “Can you take me to…” within the first ten seconds. Drivers appreciate decisiveness. And if you’re in a rowdy group, the driver might just keep going. They’ve seen it all—drunken singalongs, lost luggage, people crying about work. Your best move is to be polite, say “Please” and “Thanks,” and mention that you have cash as you sit down. It’s like a magic trick that opens doors.
So the next time you’re standing in a London street, phone dead, rain soaking your shoes, remember the golden light of the black cab. Wave like you mean it, don’t mistake a mini-cab for a pirate ride, and always, always check their light is on. And if all else fails? There’s always the Tube. But that’s a story for another day, with its own set of grumpy escalators.
