Our taxi drivers are the least self-disciplined, and cynical to boot, as anyone who starts a conversation with some of them would know. Finding two or three mobile phones, at the least, lined up on the dashboard is normal. Many a time, I have been left confused about whether they were talking to me, or to a counterpart on the other end of the earpiece.

New demerit point system for Hong Kong taxi drivers being considered

In one of my more thrilling encounters, I found them talking about the stock market rally, with the driver flying into a rage and seemingly out of control. I feared for my safety, expecting an accident to occur at any time, so much so that I leaned forward and waved my hands in front of his face to make him stop the vehicle, heaving a sigh of relief when he finally did.