On the Subject of Taxis....

[Rob]

Lola,

What? Do you think a driver would not ever stop for someone again if they say "no thanks"?

You must be joking! There is no mysterious gesture or keyword needed. A simple "no thanks" will never offend a legit taxi operator...

[BrenJaLee]

Unfortunately, I have tried to decline white plates on several occasions and every time, I've been yelled at by not only the driver but others around. When I see they are white plate, I simply say, no thank you, I'm waiting for a red plate. Immediately I've been screamed at, harrassed, once to the point of actually being scared (the only time I have ever been truly scared in Negril). If I started walking away to get out of the situation, they were still screaming, calling me names. All because I want to take a red plate because I know THAT'S the one that's legal. Even leaving a restaurant once (I won't name the establishment), it was dark and one of the workers (not sure if it was the owner or not) asked if I needed a taxi and I said yes. He flagged a car and it was a white plate. I politely said, no, I would prefer to use a red plate. Again he starts into the rant of It's OK It's OK, he's legal, blah blah. It is frustrating when you can't trust anyone and they try to shove you into an illegal car doing everything they can to convince you it's legal when you know otherwise.