Taxi driver's behaviour

The other night my girlfriend and I needed to grab a taxi to St Paul's Bay. I had just paid the expensive fare at the counter of the Wembley Taxi Service in St Julians. I turned around to find my girlfriend trying to explain to the driver where exactly it was we needed to go because there were times when it took longer than the bus ride for them to get her home (I wonder why). She spoke to him very politely and asked if he knew where the Gillieru restaurant was.

Somehow as though feeling threatened by the fact that she was a foreigner, he spoke back with an aggressive tone: "Yes I know Gillieru restaurant, do you have problem you?" humiliating her in front of everyone.

I told him to adjust himself and that she was with me, to which his reaction was: "Then put her in the car and tell her to keep quiet". I regret not asking for my money back at this point and not having gone to the Free Phone Taxi Service instead. There is no dealing with these people. In the taxi he smoked and would not let me smoke but I did not comment. We just wanted to get home.

When we finally reached our destination even after what had happened we still very politely said: "Thank you" to which his reaction was to tell her behind my back: "We go somewhere me and you now?" with obvious dirty undertones, intentions and desires. Unfortunately for him I heard him clearly and let him know how disgusted I was and that the matter would not end here and to expect a reaction.

Such behaviour is unacceptable. In another country I could sue them but here it passes as everyday life. Well-educated people need not be afraid of such scum. A taxi service must be as educated and respectful as that of a waiter in a restaurant with adequate etiquette and all.