For Mum

Cablog reader, Tanya, a night cabbie in regional Victoria writes,

I read your blog every morning when I get home from my shift as a way to unwind before going to bed.  Love your work as I love mine and can relate to everything you post.

I have 2 kids who have been raised to the ages of 21 and 22 listening to stories of my life as a driver. My daughter recently sent me (an article) as a way to say thanks for all my help in her journey into adulthood.

I really think it sums up much of what we do and why we do it and thought I'd take the bold step to share it with you as I know you will relate to it.

Tanya has kindly allowed me to publish her daughter's tribute here...

Stephanie Adamczyk

Tanya Tulloh has been driving taxis for over ten years. In her time driving businessmen to meetings, partygoers to clubs and old ladies to the supermarket Tanya has learnt a thing or two about people. So the next time you get in a cab remember who you’re talking to.

“Originally it was a way to support my family, being a single parent,” Tanya explained. “It also gave me an opportunity to further explore Geelong and get a better understanding for the town”, which in her mind has changed exponentially.

Geelong is Victoria’s second biggest regional town, lies 75kms south west of Melbourne and is about a 55minute drive down the national Princess Hwy. It’s now home to over 300,000 residents who have also embraced the sea change.

Tanya’s clients range from drunken mates to councilmen willing to explore some of the local issues during the taxi ride. “When I first started we had two companies,” says Tanya, “one in town {Geelong Radio Cabs} and one on the Bellarine Peninsula {Bay City Cabs}.”

A company take-over and ever growing safety issues have not deterred Tanya’s will to deliver effective customer service. “Customer service is something I feel is lacking in today’s society.” However Tanya embraces the twists and turns in her drive to deliver service with a realistic style.

“On nightshift I cop a lot of flack about being a female working alone and dealing with often drunk and unpredictable people.” In her charismatic and sarcastic style Tanya always has an effective response for those that attempt to question her commitment to the job.

“One thing that often aggravates me is the number of people who pay lip service to the traditional female role. If they ask me what I’m doing out here tonight or why I’d do it or even try to tell me they wouldn’t let their wives do this, I just revel in not having them as a husband to respond to.”

Yet Tanya’s real love of the job comes from responding to the customers who she says are her real reason for driving. “I’ve had several opportunities to leave professional driving, even offers to work in an office-based position and put to use my Diploma in Business Administration.”

This, she chuckles, also helps temper her comebacks at those who degrade her work. “But the truth is, it’s the people out there in Geelong that bring me back to the driver’s seat, and really, it’s where I prefer to be.”

Customer service combined with the everyday issues, both trivial and complex, that arise in the taxi begs the question: do public servants have an obligation to assist their clients beyond transport? Tanya thinks so. “Often I see people who jump in the cab angry at the world and dreading the day ahead.” After a twelve-hour shift it’s not easy to handle.

However Tanya takes pride in taking them on a journey from despair to happiness without extra cost. “Most people really appreciate the extra service of having someone there who can listen”. Whether it be relationships, work or life changing events, Tanya’s almost our full-time counsellor on wheels.

Wouldn’t this take its toll on her? “When I first started I couldn’t help but re-live events or wonder if I did things right. But eventually your confidence grows so now, on each trip every passenger knows I’m not the cabbie to intimidate”.

From TV stars to medical emergencies Tanya’s seen it all. So what makes someone opt for the 52+ hour weeks, the night shift and takeaway life? “It’s the diversity of people who grab my attention”, from abuse victims in search of greater independence to women with kids who never behave through to grown adults who don’t behave themselves.

“I really feel I can reach people out there, that ten-minutes in my cab can rev people up for the night out or encourage someone to look forward to finally going home. You learn to read and interpret people by identifying when to start or avoid conversations and you can learn a lot by just talking to people”. 

So it seems, taxi driving has more to do than following a few road rules, but no self-made career is without a few speed bumps along the way. “We’ve given a lot to our business.” It’s a franchise that now boasts three owned and operated vehicles and, as with any small business, is vulnerable to the ups and downs of customer behaviour.

Taking care of an elderly mother, being an active business stakeholder and guiding two young-adult children can take its toll. “I have a daughter in Gippsland as a nurse and a son in Western Australia in mining...sometimes my three days off are filled before they’ve even started.” Yet the personal rewards are inspiring.

“I’ve taught my kids they can do anything.” Tanya’s maternal role weaves its way onto the street. “I’ve given kids career advice, I’ve set arrogant idiots straight and I’ve talked to some of the most ordinarily inspiring people about what makes them get out of bed in the morning.” It seems life’s best lessons are those between traffic lights.

Tanya agrees that the amount of energy given to the world equates to that which comes back, financially, mentally, spiritually or otherwise. “Sometimes, it’s just such a pat on the back to get a compliment from someone”, as often, the negative feedback can outweigh the positive.

“A while back all we had were complaints about mild mannered drivers and the most frequent-those who don’t know where they’re going or choose the most expensive way. But I think when you can approach your customers honestly, they generally respond in a positive way.”

So through her experience and mutual exchange, social interaction does support mental health/wellbeing. But does a little training help? “Most certainly. Going above and beyond what the customer expects does increase the chances of return service”, which she bids is what every business is after, adding with a wink, “You also earn yourself a tip or two that way”.

Shift workers with public contact do rate as one of the highest stressed in our community enduring shortened and altered sleep patterns, excessive demands and work that continues after the car’s parked up.

However Tanya takes it all in her stride. The public contact, despite its challenges, fuels her need to stay behind the wheel.

Comments

[badboybilly]

Well looks like she aint doing too bad,the story said she owns 3 cabs,so hardly what you would call a "battler" out working there.

[scott]

Give us a looksee at her eh mate?
Then I can make a balanced judgement
!

[Cashier@GSq]

Moronic comment deleted. Apologies to readers for not responding sooner to this clown.

[Rainer the cabbie]

Sometimes, not very often, but sometimes one has to hate the Internet, and the ability of Nutters as the gentleman above to publicise their shit on good websites like this. As Cabbies we are used to reading crap on toilet walls, but that is exactly where this type of comment does belong.

[Goldstein]

Holy Unmedicated Mental Patients Batman !!

This dickhead - [email protected] (above) is the same dribbling wackjob that left 100,000 word comments here a few months ago..

Different name, same obscure crap...