I got into an embarrassing situation yesterday.
I was running late for a weekend seminar that I've got to attend or lose my brokerage license and my company already paid $700 for me to attend. Hobbling around in my white croc boat shoes and not really wanting to walk to the skytrain and there was a taxi right in front of my condo.
I had no money, but there are like a million ATM machines everywhere.
I explained the situation to the taxi driver and he agreed.
We first stopped at a gas station nearby my condo and the ATM there was offline.
The next gas station (much further and a ticking taxi meter much later) and this bank ATM was online, but the ATM wasn't accepting my password. If I try three times and fail, the machine will swallow my card and I don't want that, especially way out there.
What to do? I need to get to the seminar and by then I was already 30 minutes late.
So, I go back to the taxi driver and ask him if he drinks whisky and he says "yes" but not right now while he's driving. I'm ignoring the fact that he thinks I want to do whisky shots with him at 8:30am.
I go into the 7-Eleven at the gas station and to buy Johnnie Walker whisky with my credit card. But, they are not selling whisky because of the funeral services this weekend for HRH Princess Galyani.
Now, I'm in a big fix.
Oh, I know cigarettes are a currency in prison. I buy two cartons with my credit card.
I think I got it whipped. The two cartons are worth 1,200 baht and the taxi ride shouldn't be more than 150 baht.
But, the taxi driver isn't too enthused. Marlboro is not his brand. I should have asked him.
Since his house is right across the street from my condo, we work out an arrangement where I pay later. He still takes the cigarettes. I suck at bartering.
What would you barter for a ride?
Oh, I made it to the seminar just fine and wasn't late. I've got to go again today and I'm either driving my bike or going by skytrain and I may take a carton of cigarettes with me just in case.
