United Kingdom
The black cab is one of the symbols of London. The driver sits behind a partition, and luggage is placed next to him. Such a car can accommodate five people. The fare is expensive, payment is by meter. Alongside these traditional cars, you can also find another type of taxi on the city streets - minicab. These are modern cars of various colors, adorned with all sorts of advertisements, designed for four passengers. The fare in them is usually cheaper, but you need to negotiate the price in advance, since such taxis do not have meters.
Israel
White Israeli taxis are the only form of transport that can be used at any time, even at sunset on Friday, when in this country until Saturday sunset no one works anywhere. For ordering a taxi by phone - payment is separate; for holidays, Saturday and nighttime there is a surcharge; the fare is calculated by meter, but you must make sure it is turned on. You can also ride without a meter, having agreed on the price in advance, but as a rule, it will not be cheaper. All taxis are private; however, to obtain a license, drivers take a strict exam: they are tested not only on knowledge of traffic rules but also on English proficiency. It is not customary to tip in Israel.
China
Taxis are common in China, and there are many taxi companies, with fares that can differ several times over. Before getting into a car, you need to pay attention to the price list on the windshield. Payment is strictly by meter. The image of local drivers is sometimes spoiled by smell: the Chinese government has acknowledged that drivers neglect personal hygiene, and therefore the specific aroma (or more precisely, unbearable stench) sometimes turns a car ride into a real ordeal for particularly sensitive individuals. True, the Olympics are coming, and before that, local authorities intend to solve all problems harming the country's image: taxi drivers have been ordered to take baths, give up extravagant hairstyles, stop smoking and spitting in cars.
Mexico
In this country, there are many different taxis, with and without meters. Drivers of cars with the sign 'Turismo' know English and can act as guides for an additional fee. Tourists are advised to take a car from special parking lots, order by phone, or through hotel staff from reliable companies. The fact is that local drivers have an unpleasant habit: they either themselves relieve clients of money and photo equipment, or deliberately, by agreement, plot a route through places where robbers lie in wait for them. Therefore, hailing a taxi just anywhere is highly undesirable.
USA
There are many taxis on the streets, as well as other cars. And therefore, when taking a taxi, you have to pay not for the ride, but for sitting in traffic jams. Passengers are often dissatisfied with drivers, who are often immigrants with poor English skills; moreover, they are rude, talk on mobile phones, and are careless about traffic rules. In cities, you can easily hail a car by raising your hand. In rural areas, of course, there is no such abundance of cars, so it is better to use the phone. It is not customary to sit next to the driver; on the contrary, for safety, his seat is often separated by bulletproof glass. You can pay with cash or credit card (not always), and the taxi driver expects at least 10% tip.
Turkey
The sheer number of taxis on the streets literally turns your eyes yellow, but taxi drivers in this country are among the most 'enterprising'. Cheating the client is considered common practice, so you need to be extremely careful. You can order a taxi or catch one on the street. Once inside, you should immediately look at the meter. If the driver 'forgot' to turn it on or, on the contrary, turned it on in advance, call the fraudster to order. In addition, the meter has two types of tariffs: daytime and nighttime. Local drivers love to confuse them, in their favor. If you look more closely at the meter, you will understand which tariff the kilometers are being counted at. Tricks with no change, deliberately getting into traffic jams, choosing the longest route – are also in use by local taxi drivers.
Finland
In this country, it is not customary to hail a taxi on the street: taxis are usually ordered in advance by phone, via the Internet, or taken at special stands marked with the sign 'Taxi'. Cars are equipped with GPRS and video cameras for driver safety. The cost of the ride depends not only on the route but also on the number of passengers, day of the week, and time of day. You can pay in a Finnish taxi with cash or a plastic card; tips are welcome but not required.
United Arab Emirates
In the hot countries of the Persian Gulf, waiting for a bus under the scorching sun is the prerogative of the poorest migrant workers. Other people use taxis. Drivers of the largest company, Emirates Taxi, strictly follow the rules and wear a special uniform. The cars are in excellent condition, with air conditioning and other pleasant achievements of civilization. Payment is made by meter, and boarding is paid separately.
There are also many private taxis in the Emirates that operate without a meter. The ride in them will be cheaper, but you will have to haggle, and in the middle of the road, the driver may have an idea to continue bargaining and change the price. Whether to pay more, argue, or simply get out of the car will have to be decided depending on the circumstances. Recently, pink cars have appeared on the streets - 'women's taxis', whose drivers are women and they serve exclusively women.