taxi driver wanting to know ins and outs of hospital visit

Raksha

I had to get a taxi home from hospital yesterday. Didn't expected to get grilled by the bloomin taxi driver about the whys and where fores of my visit. OH said he was trying to be polite....

mrcow

Two words:

"That's personal".

Missconduct

Oh, I hate those situations. How to respond to people who ask things which are none of their business without being rude.... :embarasse

Pollycat

Raksha wrote: »

I had to get a taxi home from hospital yesterday. Didn't expected to get grilled by the bloomin taxi driver about the whys and where fores of my visit. OH said he was trying to be polite....

Was your OH in the car with you?

If he/she was and really does think the driver was trying to be polite, maybe you're being a bit too sensitive.

Raksha

Yes, oh was in car, and I am feeling particularly sensitive at the moment, not unsurprisingly after the hospital visit...

p00hsticks

Missconduct wrote: »

Oh, I hate those situations. How to respond to people who ask things which are none of their business without being rude.... :embarasse

I'd just say something like "I'd rather not talk about it, please". I think I'm with the OP's OH on this one - without being there, I suspect that the driver was only making small talk in an effort to be polite. If i get a taxi to or from the railway station, an usual conversational opening is where I'm going to/ coming from on the train, so I guess if you're coming from a hospital then the obvious opening topic is likely to be health, although it probably could be seen as potentially quite sensitive.

I guess some people like to chat to the drivers, whilst others, like me and the OP prefer not to. In my experience the drivers soon pick up on if you're not the chatty type and leave you to your to your own thoughts.

Valli

He wasn't trying to be polite IMO; he was trying to make conversation, so trying to be friendly.

Polite people don't ask perfect strangers personal questions!

Funky_Bold_Ribena

How about - just saying 'Sorry but I really don't want to discuss it' and read your book/listen to music/look out of the window and then move on with your life.

What a ridiculous 'vent'.

Caitlin_Bree

Not a suggestion or solution, but..

A cab driver told me he'd previously got round the surgery secretary's questions (about why he needed an appointment) by telling her he'd been stung on the nut by a wasp.

Questions ceased there and then.

Georgiegirl256

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

How about - just saying 'Sorry but I really don't want to discuss it' and read your book/listen to music/look out of the window and then move on with your life.

What a ridiculous 'vent'.

Not really. A vent is letting off steam over something that's annoyed you, and that's exactly what the OP has done.

Some people are just genuinely trying to be friendly, but someo people are just busybodies wanting to know the tale end of a fart! :rotfl:

I hate that too, and would just prefer to sit there quietly and not talk....I'm like that at the hairdressers too, I must be a nightmare customer, that's why I hate going!

I'd have been tempted to tell him I was going for a camera up the bum....that might have shut him up....or not, depending on the situation!

persa

In my experience, taxi drivers will happily chat to you about anything - unless you make clear you're not in the mood. TBH, I would be surprised by a cabbie who didn't try to strike up a conversation.

Next time, just say "Rough day, I really don't want to talk about it. Where are you going on holiday this year?"

Hope you're feeling better, OP. No matter the nature, hospital visits can be draining.