>>51051895What happens when there's a 90yo grandmother in the back who can't reach her card or money through the plexi? There are a lot of ups and downs to that system, it would be safer yes but it would also create a sense of unease. Why would I as a passenger want to ride in something that reminds me of a police car? Should I be afraid?
Same thing applies to e.g. riot police, and what riot police are called. If the cops have 17 different weapons on their belts and are wearing all sorts of body armour it makes them unapproachable and seem aggressive. If they're called "riot police," as they are in most places, it implies they are only used in the worst circumstances, to stop people doing things. If they're called, I dunno, crowd control police, it might be a different story. It's all very psychological.
Also yes payment terminals have a pin bypass. This is used 99% of the time because either an old person can't remember their code, or because some drunk cunt can't type his code in properly. They do have to sign the receipt.
>>51051624You would be surprised. To be fair most of it is lowest-common-denominator things like "don't talk shit," but e.g. I was told to really think about what you say and do, and when not to start a conversation. The person in the back might be a very busy businessman who finally gets half an hour of silence in the back of a cab, before he has to get on a plane to go to a meeting half a world away. You get what I mean? This is normally why drivers are quiet. I always find it funny how people here complain about how drivers are unapproachable because they're so quiet. There's a good reason we all sit in silence until you, the customer, opens your mouth.
Of course it all depends on the situation. I'll almost always make small talk if it's a Saturday night or something.
>>51051191Yeah almost always. There are exceptions, mostly cause the customer wants a cheaper fare and offers cash (95% of fares here are card payments)
