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... but it's certainly the only place I've ever been (lived outside of NYC and in New Orleans) where cabbies will be openly hostile to their passengers.

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Oh, definitely not. Cabs in London are worse. I was there for two weeks recently, same route every morning. One day I take a taxi that uses a different route (goes over crowded Oxford St. instead of driving the small side streets). I was merely asking if he was sure this was the faster way, cause I usually go a different route. He pulled over and told me to "get the fsck out" because he is the driver and knows what route to take....

I was left nonplussed (not indifferent!) at the sidewalk.

One other time I didnt check my money and noticed not before we arrived at the target that my smallest bill was 50 Pounds. Okay, I admit, thats not really cool. But the taxi driver berated me for like 5 minutes how can I possibly not check my bills, etc... instead of just letting me change in the store next to us (which i suggested immediately).

Well, only point is: There are other places where cab drivers are hostile