Hey Cabbie, Got Change for a Twenty?

Change for a $20 will be given. No bills more than $20 will be changed.

Isn’t that what the sign says in the taxi cabs? So why is it that eighty percent of the time that I hand a $20 bill to a cabbie he asks me for something smaller? “I don’t have change for that – you got to give me something smaller” – he snickers from the front seat (a comment barely audible over the back of his head through the thick plastic divider). Despite the fact that I’m in a rush – we drive to six street vendors begging for change before he’ll release me from the slush covered cab. I am late, and I have a $20. Give me change – or let me out and you worry about it. It’s your problem anyway. Or is it?

There are many inconveniences of everyday life in New York. This is one of the more frustrating ones. Why do cabbies think that we should walk around with $20 in singles? After all, we are the fare – by definition – our only obligation is to come up with the money to pay for our ride. In fact, we are already subject to strict rules of monetary conduct. $20 is the largest bill for which change will be given.

And yet, even with a $20 in hand, we are made to feel guilty, unprepared, disrespectful! Don't they understand that it is actually their job to make sure they have that change. When I was working in an office, I made sure that every day I was prepared with the tools I needed to complete the day. I’d bring my computer, my cell phone, and all appropriate paperwork. For meetings, I did my research and I came prepared. So it seems that to prepare appropriately for the day, a cabbie would have wads of change ready to go. Maybe a trip to the bank at the end of your shift? You're already in your car. And don't tell me you don't have time. You all play that "I'm off duty game" on your way back to your garage, you know, the light says OFF DUTY, but the man in the car still roles down the window and asks: "Where are you going?" "To the bank, with you" I'd like to say, "to get change for tomorrow." Or what about those lunch hours when I see all the cabs idling in the 20's off of Lexington Avenue. I've seen lots of ATMs in that student filled neighborhood. Surely the banks have singles in those locations too.

Why not go to the bank to assure this level of preparation? Or install change facilities in all taxi outposts in New York City, so that all cabbies have the option to get change in their garage before they head out for their shift.

So what is the revenge...what could we do to get back at them! Do I have anything smaller? Sure I do – I have lots of quarters… Last week, I decided I was going to bring my twenties to the bank, and arm myself with change just in case the cabbie refused to change the twenty and asked me for something smaller. Less than $20 for an $8 fare? Sure – I have change, and here it comes, 44 quarters out of the Zip-lock bag labeled “change revenge” in my purse ($1 tip included of course).

Try giving that change to your next passenger – and try getting a street vendor to take those quarters. It's enough we have to listen to you on your cell phones when you're not supposed to use them while on duty. For the love of New Yorkers, could you just bring some change?

Cranky Out! (for now).