An Ode To Iranian Taxi Drivers
The true purveyors of Persian poetry.
One of the really special features of Iran are its taxi drivers. Along with being the best drivers in the world, they are also equipped with self-awarded PhDs in political science. Every ride is a free lesson in political history, doused in conspiracy theories that’ll make David Icke blush.
But on a more serious and positive note, there is something else that is unique and endearing about them: every taxi driver I’ve ridden with had memorised their fair share of poetry. I’m not talking the very basic lines and aphorisms that everyone knows; I mean the deep, mystical poetry that PhDs in Western universities struggle to dissect.
It’s why, ever since I learnt Persian to a decent level back in 2020, I’ve made it a habit to ask taxi drivers — or anyone else I interact with for more than 5 minutes — their favourite lines of poetry. I think of it as an informal social study, or sociological/anthropological study (any social scientists here that can tell me what to call this project of mine?)
My most recent taxi driver/politics professor/poetry expert/study sample was Hadi, who was my taxi driver for a few days in Mashhad, back in July of last year. Hadi was a lovely gentleman, and thankfully, someone who did not indulge in conspiracy theories. But he did indulge in poetry. When I asked him for his favourite verses, he thought long and hard, before reciting these verses from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh:
مكن بد كه بينى به فرجام بد
ز بد گردد اندر جهان نام بد
"Wrought not evil, for surely a bad end you’ll see,
For evil brings to your name great infamy."
The excerpt Hadi chose is simple, but they’re words that one should live by: a principle that governs the world that our lived experiences can confirm all too well. The world would be a better place if we listened to the poetic wisdom of Iranian taxi drivers. Though we should, with good reason, continue to ignore their political musings.
Share a comment below of any words of wisdom that you received from a taxi/Uber driver :)
Your amazing words remind me, When I was in Shiraz, I spoke with a taxi driver who shared the story of his life with me.
When we reached our destination, we said goodbye, and I realized I didn’t even know his name. Trust, it seems, isn’t measured by time. :)
Gotta love a good taxi driver. I went to Egypt for 1 week (Port Said) and I still remember how mans took a U turn from the right most lane on like a 4 lane road and made the other 3 lanes wait for him 😭😭😭.
And those old taxis have a charm the ones never will.