Ask Betsy

Dear Betsy,
In reply to the recent letter from a reader who asked if you were a real person, I can testify that you are.

I saw you in the supermarket and you were even pushing your own trolley. I also saw that when you passed by a mirror your reflection could be seen, so I know you’re not a vampire either. Fangs for your words of advice each week.
D. Racula

Dear D. Racula,
Thanks for your support. I guess you must have seen me when I was doing my night time shop.
I did notice you and I must tell you that although I loved your black silk cape, that purple lipstick didn’t do you any favours, try a smouldering scarlet instead.
Also, you really must do something about your coffin’ as that must keep you awake at nights.  Try a large tablespoon of B.Lood’s Cough Syrup every night before bed.

Dear Betsy,
Are there any decent taxi drivers in Bahrain?
I moved here a few months ago from Sharjah and cannot believe the highway robbery that takes place here. I travel a lot with my work and it costs me a fortune when I have to get a taxi from the airport. Is it true that they have to put the meter on and if it’s broken are they allowed to charge what they like?
Helena Charteris

Dear Helena,
This is not a new problem and one that I don’t think is going to go away soon, unless the authorities take a very tough stand against the improper conduct of some drivers.
Yes, legally, they have to have a meter, but a well-placed source tells me there is effectively a legal loophole here as the law doesn’t say the meter  has to be switched on! Can this be true?
But, as you have found, the majority of the taxi meters in Bahrain seem to suffer from a debilitating virus that prevents them from working! In the (good) old days, pre-meters, it was up to you to agree on a fare with the driver before setting off and some good humoured bartering usually secured you a reasonable deal.
I make it a rule to always ask the driver, before I get into a taxi, if the meter is working and if not I hail another.
This is not so easy at the airport where they collectively plead a severe case of sick-meter-syndrome, but I have a useful suggestion for you.
Telephone Speedy Motors when you land and ask them for a taxi and you can then go to the Europecar desk in the arrivals hall and have a polite driver, air conditioned car and a supremely healthy meter within a few minutes! 
Personally, I miss the old days of pre-journey bartering with the taxi drivers, as it was one of the ways I learned to speak my “creative” Arabic and the drivers were always ready to give me a free Arabic lesson during my forays to the souk and the Central Market.