The Taxi Driver's Code

In Korea, taxi (and bus) drivers are notorious for their scofflaw tendencies. After making a cursory stop at a red light, they'll cruise on through. To them, turn signals are merely an optional courtesy before forcing their way into another lane. But woe to him who breaks the taxi driver's code.

Notice in the picture above how all the taxis are queued up in front of the building. If you were to approach any one of them in the back, they'll refer you to the guy up front. No matter where you go, that's how it works.

I've often wondered what compells taxi drivers to do this when they won't even follow basic traffic rules. My only guess is that -- like "honor among theives" -- anyone who breaks the code would become a pariah. Nobody would even talk to that guy.