Hailing a cab is an art not easily mastered, judging by all the dudes out there who look like total jackasses while doing so. Don’t be one of those jackasses hailing a cab with a “heil Hitler” salute while standing near a puddle. While jackass behavior like this runs a wide gamut from uptown to SoHo, we focused on some of the more evident forms of foolery seen in New York or other city streets.
Do be calm, cool, collected. The suave way to hail a cab is succinctly outlined in “The Idiot’s Guide to New York City.” All you need to do is keep an eye open for an oncoming taxi, then step gently off the curb. Make sure you don’t step in dog crap or chewing gum. Then, coolly raise your right arm at an angle of about 70 degrees, somewhere between your arm straight out at your side and straight above your head.
Do know when a cab is available. You get the jackass supreme award if you try to hail a cab that is full or not in service. You’ll know a taxi is available when the little number on top of the roof is lit up. If the little number is not lit up, that means the cabbie is on a break, heading back to the garage or already has a cab stuffed with passengers.
