Episode 75: Investigation Drive
May 18, 2026
I’ve been taking taxis much more often lately. Especially since retiring, there are times when I look at the pile of receipts to be settled and go, "Hieeeeeee!!!"
Today, I traveled from Shinjuku to Hachioji by train (because when I checked the fare from Ikebukuro to Hachioji, it was over 20,000 yen!), so I decided to take a taxi just for the leg from Hachioji Station to the venue.
At the Hachioji Station taxi stand, I hopped into a well-timed cab with a cheerful "Nice to meet you!" and gave my destination. "Esforta Arena Hachioji, please." "Understood," the driver replied while setting the GPS. Everything was off to a smooth start.
The thing is, I have a theory: "A person’s true character is revealed by how they act in a taxi." Because I hold this belief, I make a conscious effort to be as polite as possible. Giving the destination smoothly → the driver responding with a friendly word... that’s a perfect score in my book.
However, sometimes you get a driver who doesn't even reply when you say, "To [destination], please." During the ride, they remain essentially silent unless I say something first. Since I’m often told I have a "good build," I usually end up saying, "I do professional wrestling..." Usually, they respond with, "I used to watch it all the time back in the day," to which I reply, "It’s still exciting now!" and then we arrive at our destination.
The main thing I’m careful about is never speaking in an arrogant or overbearing tone. Occasionally, when I’m riding with someone else, I notice people who speak very harshly to drivers. One of the criteria in my definition of the "complete adult" is 【the ability to get in and out of a taxi pleasantly and smoothly】.
During today’s ride from Hachioji Station to the venue, the conversation with the driver was very smooth. Towards the end, he suddenly realized who I was and exclaimed, "Wait, are you Tanahashi-san!?" in total shock.
I wonder what caused that shock... was it my hairstyle? Or was it my physique...? (Laughs).