Hailing a taxi in Dakar....quite perfectly put.

How to Hail a Taxi in Dakar, Senegal By: marianneouioui - 16 Feb 2006

Hailing the cab...
Casually and nonchalantly stroll to the curb, distancing yourself from any people you may be with, so as to appear alone. Slowly and again, in no hurry, raise your arm, make eye contact with a cab driver, and make the "pppsssstttttt" noise.

Approaching the driver....
Approach the cab, as if in no hurry and not desperate to find one. Come to the passenger side window, or lean against the door to address the cabbie. Your goal is to bargain for a fair price for the ride, but first things first: small talk.

Small talk....
Shoot the breeze with the driver, most preferably in Wolof. Even if your Wolof is not strong, even being able to say “Hi, How are you?” in Wolof will give you much more credibility. Only stop shooting the breeze when the cabbie gets down to business.

Down to business...
“Fo Djem?” He wants to know where you’re headed. “Mangi dem chi marche bi.” You’re going to the market. He will state a price, in French francs, making the first bid. You are NEVER to start the bidding. You will hardly ever accept his first offer.

Declining an offer....
After considering his first offer, or at least pretending to, show your disapproval. Shock/surprise work if he proposes an abnormally high price (suspecting you're a tourist). Tell him you go there everyday and the price is never more than ______.

The counteroffer...
If the price is only a bit higher than the correct price, politely decline. You can now propose a price. Propose either the actual price you plan on paying, or even lower, so that if you make a compromise, the price agreed upon will be the right one.

First trick....
If he declines or makes a counter offer that is still not right, thank him kindly and start to walk away to allow him time to call you back. Usually he will, to accept your offer or continue bargaining.

Last ditch effort....
If he still will not accept any of your offers, tell him you only have a certain amount of money with you, but in this case make sure you do have this exact change, and that it is separate from any other money you are carrying.

Get in!!!
"Monte" means an agreed apon price, so get in. Sit in the front seat with him, for it is what locals do. I do not, however, recommend putting your seatbelt on, especailly if you're wearing white.

Get out, ride's over!
"Fii baax na.” (Here is good) Pay him, thank him, exit taxi. Tipping is ridiculous, especially after having spent so much effort bargaining for a cheaper price. Finally, say “Alhumdililah” to thank God for arriving in one piece. (After exiting taxi.)