Paris taxis

We've had several non-English-speaking taxi drivers in Paris, but we have enough French to manage what is usually a pretty simple conversation. It's a big world-class city with riders from everywhere, mostly Paris, and it isn't surprising that a random driver would speak little or no English. I wonder how many New York taxi drivers speak the language of their passengers -- even when it's English! ;-)

They have to memorize every street for taking their taxi license exams, a multi-day grilling, so most of the time they know the routes better than a gps. A gps doesn't know at what hours deliveries are allowed on what streets, but a Parisian taxi driver does. Clueless is not a word I'd associate with Parisian taxi drivers.

I have often seen in posts here that advice: "Don't worry ... anyone who deals with tourists and wants your money, will speak English." So not true (and cynical) . I have seldom dealt with a taxi driver in Paris who could speak English actually. English-speaking tourists are not the only visitors to Paris, there are gazillions from all over the world, few of whom would expect a Paris taxi driver to speak their language. Hell, I live in Montreal and cannot be sure my taxi driver will speak English.

I think the correct advice is: "Don't worry ... anyone who deals with tourists will be used to people who do not to speak their language."
Tourists come from many countries and do not necessarily speak English. There is a certain skill to communicating without a common language, in the case of a taxi having the address written down, and if it is on a printout highlighted.

I would not expect taxis (or any other one-man business) to take credit cards.

phred.. I am one of those who really dislikes the "everyone speaks English nonsense " as I find it really patronizing.. and I simply know for a fact its not true. Yes.. I know this for a fact., as I know locals ( family no less) and they speak no more English then I speak Spanish.. ( in other words.. hello, good bye and thanks..lol)

I have always suggested its best to write down the full name and address of your hotel.. includings its zipcode.. and simply give it to the driver.
Several hotels have similar names.. and sometimes ( many times) pronouciations are slaughtered by tourists who get frustrated because they think they are saying it right and the local is scratching their heads trying to understand you.

I don't use my credit cards for taxis.. I use cash for most things when travelling ( not just Europe) except hotels or fancy dinners out or train tickets.. so I am not aware who takes them or not generally luckily you found out in time to have enough cash on hand.

In Paris this year we used a Taxi 3 or 4 times. Language was an issue here and there but before I get in I really try to know the address and how to say the street and what it's near to. Once I showed a driver an address in an email on my phone.
The interaction is part of the fun, so long as I make a good stab at communicating to the driver, and I agree that cash is best-it just works. I enjoy cab rides in Paris immensely!

I don't know if it is the same for Paris taxis, but in D.C., taxi drivers end up with less money because the credit card companies pretty much gouge them. So, even though DC taxi drivers are legally required to take credit cards, they may say they only take cash or that their reader is broken. I just plan to pay cash always for taxis. It puts a few extra bucks in the driver's wallet instead of the credit card company.

I'm not a fan of the 'don't worry everyone speaks English' advice either. Outside of tour groups, touristy areas, and hotels/restaurants that cater to foreigners, it is likely that people will not speak English. I was stuck with a travel partner on one trip who I hadn't been able to convince to learn just a few phrases, and she panicked when she realized she couldn't communicate at all, and spent the rest of the trip anxious and grumpy that she had to have me translate what little I could understand... Even just knowing a few phrases can make you feel so much more comfortable and independent.

I'm not saying people MUST know English, I was just suggesting that if you're in that line of work, it's the one common language in the world. At the moment. Used to be French, one day soon it might be Chinese. I remember when the Vuitton stores in Paris had to start hiring folks who spoke Japanese because that was their main clientele, just makes good business sense.

And by way of comparison, in Switzerland everyone we interacted with spoke not only English but German and French. And probably Italian too, for that matter.

As far as credit card acceptance, perhaps that's a uniquely American perception. It's hard to think of anywhere I've been in the States that won't take a debit or credit card (of course there's a minimum charge amount); in taxis in LA the terminal is in the passenger compartment right in front of your face! And NYC takes them as well.

This is exactly why we travel, to find out how the world is different and the same. France has a long, long conservative history with money, wealth, credit that you don't find in California. Cash is much more in use, as it is in most of Europe. Therefore, it's different, you were surprised, and now you know. No more surprise next time, just acceptance that things are different.
It the same with non-English speaking taxi drivers. By any chance, did you notice how many Parisian taxi drivers were not even native-French speakers but immigrants?