digg

Join DiggAbout

Call for questions
Submit and vote up questions you'd like to see answered by Kevin & Jay at the next Digg Townhall on 11/18.

New pink taxis serve women only in Dubai

rawstory.com — Fifty new pink colored taxis serving women only were introduced Monday in Dubai by the Public Transport Organisation under the name "Women's Taxi". The taxis are being operated by 100 women drivers of different nationalities.

show profanity settings
expand all
  • avihappy, on 10/12/2007, -16/+5I bet they get a lot of male driver applicants, though they are rejected.
    • imcompa, on 10/12/2007, -23/+12When is Bush going to declare war on Dubai? Women drivers are clearly anti-religious.
    • f8pc, on 10/12/2007, -9/+52Seems like a way to kill off the women drivers. Woman + Another woman driver + Women's driving skills = population control.
    • imperium2000, on 10/12/2007, -14/+5They actually allow women out of the house? Wow...major progress.
    • secondimpact, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2Hey now...not all women drive bad..

      I, for one, drive pretty good.
    • kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7They do this in Japan also only because females have a tendacy to get harassed on buses, and subways in Japan... So they had to have special things for women so that harassment would be reduced vastly.


      I think Dubai is doing the same thing. Dubai is almost basicly a first world nation so the ignorant statements should stop.
    • mercurysquad, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Yeah.... gender discrimination at a new high.....
  • sdrawkcaB, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16Just be sure to get the hell out of the way! lol kidding, I'm sure that they have to qualify as good drivers before they can operate a taxi.
    • hbweb500, on 10/12/2007, -11/+39Why can't Helen Keller drive?
      Because she is a woman.

      No, seriously, why can't she drive?
      Because she is dead.
    • Will227, on 10/12/2007, -5/+0I'm sure they'll get their fair share of male crossdressers looking to make a point as well, so the backseat males can keep it all in control.
  • vbr2, on 10/12/2007, -13/+5wtf
    • TopherT, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Is this sexist or is there some reason to operate a gender specific taxi service?
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16no, coz its women. they make pink dremel tools(for women), they have womens leagues for practically everything; women are seperated from men. get over it. men must do what they have done for years. ignore it, drink some beer, and go watch some tv.
    • Kentdigg, on 10/12/2007, -5/+20I'd be pissed if I was waiting outside in the cold ready to go home at the end of the night and see a taxi pull up and have the driver tell me that "Those girls waiting over there can come in, but you have to wait in the cold for a different cab." Because I'm male I don't get the same service that those women would get? ***** that, I'm hopping my drunk ass in the car and we'll see how if I can avoid ending up with a DUI and a charge for vehicular man-slaughter.
    • netdroid9, on 10/12/2007, -6/+11It's sorta sexist, but it depends on the location really. If it's one of those places with a really high rate of rape, then I can see an advantage for a female-only taxi service.
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7why digg kent down? his arguements are perfectly legitimate. would these women refuse him service, simply because he is male? they most certainly would. and that is the real problem with inequality. its not that they give preferential treatment to women, but that they can justify not giving that same treatment to men.
    • treelovinhippie, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4It's not a sexist move I don't think. It's just that women would probably feel safer catching a taxi driven by a woman, than some stereotypical male, taxi-driver pervert.
    • macaddct1984, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I'd like to see someone start up a male-only taxi company and see how well that's received...
    • CBTF, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5Congrats guys. Perhaps you aren't thinking of the fact that this is in Dubai, a place that doesn't even have the same cultural traits that north americans/ west europeans do. Their society is different than yours.You're comparing apples to oranges. It would be different if this started in America as opposed to Dubai.

      Making comments about how you'd like to open a male taxi service doesn't make sense, it just looks ignorant.
    • rsims17, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Yes it is a different culture, Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates. The Arab culture traditionally requires women to have a male escort in public, usually does not allow women to drive, etc. That being said Dubai is very "western" in its thinking and culture so the typical ideas don't really apply. However this is still very unusual to have an all female taxi service that is run by women. This does also venture into the realm of sexist, if they deny you service based on the fact you are a male.

      What this probably is, is a marketing idea to make western women feel more comfortable in Dubai. They are targeting the tourism money of the west to replace their dependency on oil. Think about it stereotypically the middle east is a very hostile area, especially for women. Create this and you give them a safe and comfortable means to move around the city.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai

      Edit:

      An all male taxi service does make sense this is an all female service, it just sounds semi-gay.
    • kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@Kentdigg

      Dude I'm black let me tell you a little experienc eI had when I was up North in New York City.

      I walked up to the Taxi, and he says: "This taxi is for humans only because I don't want my cab smelling like ***** tonight."

      I live in Oklahoma, and even though people are more openly racist in oklahoma. Atleast they're honest, and you don't get refused services like you do in NEw York.. To tell yout eh truth I was really pissed that night also, and it rained.. Cold ***** rain.
    • FushBuck, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4This is Dubai, not Disneyland. Women have to wear a freaking tent everywhere they go, and they can only go somewhere if they have a male escort. I read about one muslim country where the glass windows had to be painted so no one could see inside a house, if a woman lived there.

      Really nice culture they have. (not really)

      Crap, kuzotz, that's not right. Sorry people are assholes.
    • Recuso, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Fishbuck: "This is Dubai, not Disneyland. Women have to wear a freaking tent everywhere they go, and they can only go somewhere if they have a male escort. I read about one muslim country where the glass windows had to be painted so no one could see inside a house, if a woman lived there."

      You are a moron. Have you ever been to Dubai? My Aunt lives in Abu Dhabi and drives to Dubai regularly. *Gasp,* that's right, DRIVES!

      There are no laws governing how women dress and some dress quite promiscuously. And guess what? My aunt and her family are all Christian. They celebrate Christmas, go to church, and practice their religion without issue.

      So I suggest you do a TINY bit of research before making a stupid comment like you did.
  • StarCrusher, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6What? No Youtube videos? No links to Myspace pages for the drivers? Come on, Guys! This is fertile ground for a new Playboy super-spread! I can see it now..."The girls of the pink taxis".
    • tomboy501, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Here's a picture of the taxi, fresh from gulfnews.com http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10093894.html
      ...and this caption: "Pink taxis will be deployed mainly at locations frequented by women like shopping malls and maternity hospitals."

      ...sorry, no Playboy bunnies. Just a pink taxi :(
    • macaddct1984, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1So not only are they being sexist by making the taxis pink and female-only, now they're stereotyping where females hang out?

      I'm not sure about the infrastructure of Dubai, but I'm pretty sure some of the women work, no?
    • rsims17, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Anyone find the female hang out of the hospital a little unnerving, so the women there are either knocked up or in need of medical attention.... sounds safe.
    • secondimpact, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It is a little stereotypical..
  • sideshowRAHEEM, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18Please allow me to post the first male chauvinist comment,

    - I bet there's at least 3 days a month you don't want a ride in one of thouse taxis.
    • harusp3x, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19...and at least 30 days a month you don't want to be on the road while those taxis are in service.

      But I kid..
  • jackminardi, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12Where are the people complaining?

    If this were "Men Only Taxis" everyone would be freaking out
    • Lakhim, on 10/12/2007, -4/+22Here comes the clue train: in most arabic countries, all taxis are males only, or for females escorted by males. They generally wouldn't be allowed to travel in a taxi with another man (the driver) alone. This allows them to do so. It isn't sexist.
    • Crass22, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23This isnt sexist, their laws, culture, and religion are.
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2if lakhim is right, then it seems a bit more reasonable, but still. oh well. bush still has a few more months to start some wars.
    • Neoanarchist, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Thank god lakhim, I thought everyone has lost their ***** minds...DUBAI...have none of you seen even video of another country....christ....lol
    • abid786, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In most arabic countries, all taxis are males only, or for females escorted by males. They generally wouldn't be allowed to travel in a taxi with another man (the driver) alone. This allows them to do so. It isn't sexist.

      Aunt lives in Dubai. She goes to the shopping mall in a taxi without another male. Your comment doesn't really hold true in general, as you imply.
    • topace3000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ Lakhim- And to derail your "clue train".. things in Dubai are not like most middle eastern countries. There are many, many westerners living there, and it's not controlled by the powerful Islamic "morality police" like other nations.
  • paperhat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4We have the same thing in Austin, TX, just not as many of them www.pink-car.com
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3haha. sue em. i bet you one e-cookie youll win. that is, if you get a male judge. if not, youd be screwed.
  • GoBack2Europe, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0topsy-turvy
  • nytewalker, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11I'm gonna get dugg down for this, but I'm saying it anyways. This annoys me. As an egalitarian I find this stupid, why do there need to be women only taxis? The regular ones aren't men only, are they? It's completely unnecessary and totally disregards equality.
    • captainbluebear, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6Precisely. This is sexism, whichever way you slant it.
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2i wont be the one to do it though.
      really, women get special treatment in everything. i mean look at sports. there are very few sports where the women can take on the men, so they get their own league. take basketball, golf, soccer, track, nearly every co-ed sport, they are seperated, simply because they could not compete. ut that brings us back to the point, men and women are inherently unequal. so, although i agree with you, it does undermine equality, it is a simple fact of life.
    • russvan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5See-->Lakhims comment.
    • captainbluebear, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Lakhim is correct, but flailing this around in our culture, where it's actually quite obvious women are equal, only furthers the idea that women need to rise against the male oppressor. It's archaic!
    • Learn2Think, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Dude this is Middle East. Sometimes I think that when it comes to sexism, racism this part of the world is from a different century.

      Not so long ago, newspapers in Dubai used to carry jobs ads that started with "UK/US only" meaning job is only for white people. After some complains, they changed it. Now the ads say "UK/US educated" which is a way of saying "brown people need not apply". I kid you not, I worked with a client that had 11,12 electric engineers from India and Pakistan reporting to a British electrician!! Check out the compensation page of Saudi Aramco (the oil company)

      http://jobs.saudiaramco.com/employment?cmd=Compensation

      What you make is not based on how good you are but what color is your skin :)

      I always get a kick out of it when Arabs talk about human rights without stopping for a moment to see the treatment they dish out to the labor brought in from third world countries.
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2it is important to note that, as stated above, in texas, there is a similar service. no, women are not equal here. why do we have different womens leagues. why do we keep them out of combat. why arent all schools co-ed. why isnt congress 50 percent women. its because they either cannot or will not take those responsibilities.
    • nytewalker, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I recall in American History, that there were Women's Rights leaders that shot down bills, or what not, that gave extra rights to women, but also added other responsibilities, such as requiring women of 18 years of age to register for the Selective Services.

      @ lacronicus: That is BS, men and women are not naturally unequal in terms of abilities. Just because our society places bars on what women can do athletically doesn't mean they couldn't compete.
    • FushBuck, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I can't believe you moOrons*. Consider the brain of both genders, fairly equal, deserving of equal pay for equal work and all that jazz. Consider also that all people are deserving of equality regarding basic human rights, regardless of gender. Now consider the overwhelming stronger physique of the human male and the weaker physique of the human female.

      Brain equality does not equal muscle equality, not sure how you can get those two things confused.

      *Meant in the nicest possibile way.

  • spmyke, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5One week out of the month these taxis turn into weapons of mass destruction.
  • countmandible, on 11/15/2007, -0/+9In Japan, there are cars on the Hankyu railway that only allow women during the rush-hour.
    The reasoning behind this is actually to protect the women from the frequent ass-grabbing that happens during the standing-room only crowding on those trains.

    In that case it is there to protect the women though.
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4this man speaks with reason. i agree that this, and a few other cases, are acceptable. but beyond those, it is simply sexism.
    • alteeffour, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm surpised that I had to read this far down to finally read some non-sexist comments. If men had to worry about being raped by drivers, then they should be able to have their own cars too, but since they don't have this same threat, it is ridiculous to suggest men only cabs.

      This is clearly a safety issue for both passengers and drivers and it's sad that it is necessary, but it is necessary.

      BTW Mexico City has the same women only subway cars.
    • tschembalo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yeah right, just that an anonymous, crowded train compartement is something completely different than a ride in a licensed taxi in Dubai.
    • punkrockxtian, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Wait, what happened if a lesbian got on that train car?

      /immature 16 year old
  • 8177, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3What would happen if someone started a male only taxi.

    Someone will get castrated thats what.

    This is not helping with equality.
  • Arkonnan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13> The taxis are being operated by 100 women drivers of *different nationalities*

    Well, as long as they aren't discriminating against anyone...
  • xboxfiend, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2ffs can't we all just ride in the same taxi? what's next, gay-taxi??
    • postaldave, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7they do have gay taxis in muslim countries it's the police car ride to the execution chamber.
  • Cyber_Akuma, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Funny how if there was a male version of this, youd have women screaming "Sexist pigs!" all the way to the white house, but since its a woman's-only taxi service its ok. In fact, men would probably get attacked anyway if they opposed it.
    • lacronicus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2haha the white house. you know GWB isnt out of office yet right? if there is one thing that GWBush is not, its a femenist.
  • tschembalo, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3oh my this is extremely stupid.
  • BigKoala, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I don't understand. Feminism is becoming something bigger than women were telling us all the time. If they made a taxi only for men, I'm sure there would be protests from feminists all over the world.

    Somebody once said that feminism is the integration of ugly women into society.
  • ickarus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Just to clue a lot of you in --

    First off, Dubai is in the United Arab Emirate, meaning it's not in America. Some previous posters comments about protesting at the White House make it look like you guys aren't aware of this. Regardless of being a very progressive and capitalist region, it's still surrounded by fanatical theocratic governments.

    As a poster before me already mentioned, Arabic countries typically have incredibly strict (and sexist) laws about what women can do by themselves. One of the most common is that it's illegal (usually punishable by DEATH) for a woman to be outside of her home unless accompanied by a husband or older male from her own family. Another is that it's often illegal for women to be alone with men, for any reason. This includes taxi drivers.

    Furthermore, there is a very high incidence of rape all over the Arabic region, and in case any of you haven't looked around, on average men are able to overpower women without too much work.

    Combine all of these things and it's pretty easy to see why having a women's only taxi service is NOT an exclusive club, it's a safety precaution.

    As for any complaints about American feminists, the aggressive male attitudes displayed on this board thus far are part of the reason that many women feel uncomfortable alone around men. As much as it sounds noble of many of you to claim to be staunch egalitarians, ALL of you fail to see the external circumstances that make your brand of egalitarian just as oppressive as unabashed subjugation. If there are indeed women's taxis in America, it is likely for the reason that a taxi would be an excellent tool for a physically stronger man to use in order to rape / abduct / murder a woman. I'm sure an issue like that will disappear as soon as men stop producing testosterone and having a greater (on average) muscle mass.

    Oh, and regarding the comment about "what's next, gay taxis?" -- Well, perhaps if half the country didn't have such a problem with gay people (and a noticeable percentage actively attack, harass and harangue gay people), gay people (and other minorities) wouldn't feel the need to hide from the straight male majority.

    As American males, many of you are the most privileged cultural group that has ever, or will ever, live. I recommend getting your heads out of the sand and begin using that privilege positively.

    /Canadian, male, straight, and a strong believer in feminism and TRUE egalitarianism
    • tschembalo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1And that's why they make sure that they are being taken serious by colouring the taxis pink.

      "Arabic countries typically have incredibly strict (and sexist) laws about what women can do by themselves. One of the most common is that it's illegal (usually punishable by DEATH) for a woman to be outside of her home unless accompanied by a husband or older male from her own family. Another is that it's often illegal for women to be alone with men, for any reason. This includes taxi drivers."

      But this is Dubai and it's very much ignorant of you to draw parralels like that.
    • alteeffour, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Well said ickarus, I wish I could dig you up more than once.
    • tschembalo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1additionally:

      This is nothing but a marketing gag to get more of the Chick-lit/ Post-SatC/ pseudo emancipated target group - and in this context, nothing but blatant sexism.

      /European, female, sexually orientated and a strong believer in TRUE egalitarianism
    • ickarus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2As I said, Dubai is a progressive and forward thinking country compared to its neighbours, but we should remember that over 80% of Dubai's population is non-native (you can find many sources on this, one closest to your reading level would likely be the Wikipedia article on Dubai).

      Dubai is a safe place compared to the surrounding region, but I'm not convinced that it's as safe for women as you seem to think. It's legal to be gay, or black in the US, but that doesn't mean you don't get the crap kicked out of you once in a while for those very reasons.
    • Khuffie, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Umm, are you pulling ***** out of your ass, ickarus? It is NOT illegal for women to be out by themselves in any Arab country. It is definitely NOT punishable by death. It is NOT illegal for women to be alone with men. It maybe frowned upon culturally, but it is NOT illegal. Women go to work, and no, they don't have to be accompanied by a male. In some countries they can vote and even run for parlaiment. Where are you getting this crap from?

      The only country that has things backwards is Saudi Arabic, where women can't drive (and ya, I'm sure many diggsters here would find that a good idea :p).
    • rlh1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0ickarus is probably correct on what he writes.
      It is not all black and white. You can't say the women are totally devoid of their rights and you cannot say that they have the same rights that women have in Europe. It varies from country to country. Having said that , I've constantly read the news wires and countless articles on how women are considered second class citizens in Islamic countries. They are the property of their families or husbands. The BBC (definitely not a right wing news source) has had numerous stories about honor killings and women's writes. If I remember correctly the UN came out with a report stating that women in Islamic countries have few rights compared to the male population.
  • odd1out93, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0well im a girl and i love pink sooooo much but the world has plenty only women things why in the freaking world would we need women only taxis that makes no sense what so ever if women there wanna be so seperated from men then build a huge pink home for those kinds of women a women sanctuary sounds better than pink taxis!
    • abid786, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2A 13 year old girl on digg.....what are the odds :|
  • speedynlane4, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0As much of a feminist as I am, I think this is positively rediculous! Where are the men taxis? If there were only men taxis that would be considered sexist but if there were women taxis, this is considered logical and cute or fun? weird.
  • MackPrime, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Men have men's clubs and brothels. Women can HAVE their Taxis. It's a lot more acceptable for all lady taxis than a woman being escorted by a taxi driver (male) there, and ends up safer.
  • callsan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1pretty interesting since i was just there a month ago
  • geekee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Is an unescorted woman even allowed in a taxi driven by a man in Dubai? Sounds like it may be a long overdue service.
  • danielsimon, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1they should make the taxis out of poop
  • rockets, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2WTH is dressing "promiscuously" ? Is it wearing multiple dresses ?
    LOL
  • sq2shooter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Welcome to the stone age with cars.
  • vinnievivace, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i kinda skim read the above comments but got a bit bored, so forgive me if someone has already made this point... could it be that a service such as this (theres one in new zealand where i live) exists because of the high number of women passengers getting physically abused by dodgy male drivers, or female drivers by male passengers? scream sexiest all you like the facts are the vast majority of sexual crimes are men against women....

    looking at this as some kinda cultural thing is IMHO ***** stupid
  • andrukit, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Guys with the negative comments should visit Dubai. Let me break down the facts for you

    Dubai is an emirate(state) of United Arabi Emirates. It's currently building the tallest building in the world, it has extraordinary architectural structures that most of you haven't seen and would be awe stricken when you get to see 'em
    Dubai culture = Very open, westernized. In fact the population of expats (expatriates: western & asian) exceed the local population by a wide margin.
    UAE is a very modern country but still is an Arabic Nation therefore you have a mix of the conservative and liberated people. Oh! btw, UAE has a very very low CRIME RATE.

    IMHO The pink taxis cater to the following :
    1. Women who are conservative... conservative meaning, who follow strict Islamic rules
    2. Women who do not want to be harassed by male drivers. (Hey, this happens anywhere, right?)

    To support my premise on point 2 about harassment, it's a sad fact that this happens not only here here but everywhere else... what's sadder is most harassment here are perpetrated by the expats towards expats. I think Dubai is just protecting the expats to continue to have an enjoyable experience in Dubai. If you call that protecting its image, so be it.

    Most people don't give a damn about the pink taxi issue here, and to reiterate, that majority is the expat population,
  • jfritz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1First off, I think it's cool. Women are awesome (sometimes) and should be treated special once in a while. Of course that leads to men being taken advantage of by shadier women. Anyway...

    I just find it interesting that a women-only taxi is viewed as modern and progressive, whereas a men-only taxi would be viewed as inexcusably sexist.
  • jaynedoe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2omg, I'm totally going shopping in Dubai now and a pink taxi is taking me to all the hott spots
  • netferret, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Its a common misconception that women are better drivers, as a matter of fact they cause most of the accidents and they are normally too oblivious to even notice. Also they tend to hessitate when making decisions which in turn causes confusion to other drivers and ultimately causes accidents.
  • johnburk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This is really old news. It was already published on the following website http://www.modeblog.nl/algemeen/dubai-introduceert-de-roze-vrouwentaxi

    Text is in Dutch, but the pictures are international ;)
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.