Why are Las Vegas Taxi drivers assholes?

[minivan2]

I just got back from my trip to Vegas and we almost got run over by a taxi. If you've been to Vegas or live there can you tell me why?

[HipChick]

1. Ever been to NYC?

[davidpdx]

2. I've visited Vegas several times and never had an issue

Granted the last time was 5 years ago.

It's the cab drivers in Manila who will rip you off if you are a foreigner.

[Locut0s]

4. As a foreigner in Asia,you have sucker painted on your head...

It's just the way of things. Like I said below the culture in these countries is 10x more dog eat dog than here. If you understand that when you go and expect it, you CAN avoid getting ripped off though. Even the locals are weary of getting ripped off

I miss Asia

[davidpdx]

5. I've never had problems in Korea

That's one good thing I can say. Then again I have heard of people who have, so I can't say it's completely safe.

You ought to come back over for a visit sometime. I'll buy the first round

(no soju though)

[Locut0s]

3. Remove the word Las Vegas and you are getting closer to the truth...

It's a real cut throat, everyone for himself, business. And many a taxi driver come from countries that are even more no holds bared / Laissez-faire than here. Take India or China for example, if you don't take it for yourself, someone else will, and likely someone will take it from you after that! You have to understand the cultural background to understand the extreme aggression. I'm not excusing it necessarily, but I can understand why the business is like that.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. In contrast, Japanese will wait patiently at a taxi stand for their turn

One Japanese man I know told me how shocked he was to get cab after cab usurped from him by locals in China. Even getting into a bus seems to be a free-for-all affair over there.

[blueknight]

7. never had a problem in vegas

most cab drivers i encounter have always been cool. Went to hong kong and thailand this year and the cab drivers were great