I’m sitting in Toronto’s airport bar enjoying one last meal and a clean Canadian beverage* before taking off. This must mean my summer is over and it’s time to get back to work. Shortly I will be taking off for Beijing to begin the first year of my career as a teacher. It’s always bittersweet leaving my friends and family once again, this time for the longest consecutive stretch of time yet. I’ve never been great at sitting still for very long, which made my summer job one of the most fitting I’ve had. If you weren’t aware, this summer I decided to fill my wallet as a rickshaw puller downtown Toronto. What this meant is that I ran around the streets of Toronto dragging around a chair with wheels. It wasn’t the best job I’ve ever had but it was definitely the funniest.
(*beer)
(*beer)
You were a rickshaw driver? ...Why?
I knew my summer was going to end eventually and I would be heading back to China by September. I wanted a job where I could be outside (check), be active (check), had flexible hours (check), meet interesting people (check), and where I could make some cash I wouldn’t feel too guilty about blowing on stupid things* (check check check). I couldn’t get my job back at the restaurant I worked at and wanted something I could start immediately. I knew Toronto had rickshaws and figured it would make an interesting experience. For some reason it’s something I've been compelled to do for a few years. So I googled “rickshaw + Toronto” and there is only one company that offers it. I called Mike, the guy who owns rickshawservices.com and the only requirements were a G1 driver’s license and a pedicab license I had to acquire from the city. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
(*beer)
Was it hard?
Not as hard as you would think. I already have decent base fitness and I love to walk. The rickshaw is balanced well enough that it rolls easily and momentum will carry it. On flat ground even four big guys is a breeze. But when those big dudes want to go North it becomes a little more difficult. Fun fact: Toronto slopes down to Lake Ontario, so anytime you are traveling north you are going up hill. Brutal.
How did you get paid?
STRAIGHT CASH, HOMEY. I rent the rickshaw from Mike for a weekly fee. This makes the rickshaw available to me 24/7 if I want it. There is no constraints on how often or how little I work. I just have to go to the garage and pick it up. He wanted us to start before 1pm if we were working but was pretty relaxed on if we didn’t make it out on time. Some people only work if there is a big concert in the city or the Blue Jays are in town. The streets are just bleeding money. People are lazy. Especially when they’re drunk. The typical fare was $3 a block per person. Which means if I take 3 people on a ride 5 blocks they owe me $45. Plus tip. On flat ground, that could take me about 20 minutes, probably less. It was shockingly lucrative. Shockingly. I picked it up pretty quickly, and I figure since I am a teacher I can educate the masses on how you too can become a successful street urchin just like me. If you think about it, rickshaw is a metaphor for life*.
(*No it isn’t)
I knew my summer was going to end eventually and I would be heading back to China by September. I wanted a job where I could be outside (check), be active (check), had flexible hours (check), meet interesting people (check), and where I could make some cash I wouldn’t feel too guilty about blowing on stupid things* (check check check). I couldn’t get my job back at the restaurant I worked at and wanted something I could start immediately. I knew Toronto had rickshaws and figured it would make an interesting experience. For some reason it’s something I've been compelled to do for a few years. So I googled “rickshaw + Toronto” and there is only one company that offers it. I called Mike, the guy who owns rickshawservices.com and the only requirements were a G1 driver’s license and a pedicab license I had to acquire from the city. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
(*beer)
Was it hard?
Not as hard as you would think. I already have decent base fitness and I love to walk. The rickshaw is balanced well enough that it rolls easily and momentum will carry it. On flat ground even four big guys is a breeze. But when those big dudes want to go North it becomes a little more difficult. Fun fact: Toronto slopes down to Lake Ontario, so anytime you are traveling north you are going up hill. Brutal.
How did you get paid?
STRAIGHT CASH, HOMEY. I rent the rickshaw from Mike for a weekly fee. This makes the rickshaw available to me 24/7 if I want it. There is no constraints on how often or how little I work. I just have to go to the garage and pick it up. He wanted us to start before 1pm if we were working but was pretty relaxed on if we didn’t make it out on time. Some people only work if there is a big concert in the city or the Blue Jays are in town. The streets are just bleeding money. People are lazy. Especially when they’re drunk. The typical fare was $3 a block per person. Which means if I take 3 people on a ride 5 blocks they owe me $45. Plus tip. On flat ground, that could take me about 20 minutes, probably less. It was shockingly lucrative. Shockingly. I picked it up pretty quickly, and I figure since I am a teacher I can educate the masses on how you too can become a successful street urchin just like me. If you think about it, rickshaw is a metaphor for life*.
(*No it isn’t)
LESSON 1: BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Toronto is a wonderfully diverse city. Every neighbourhood has something worth offering. No matter where I live I liked to explore different ways of getting around on foot or by bicycle. This helped me as a rickshaw driver because I knew where most things were from past experience. Pay attention when getting around so you can immediately answer questions on how far the best hotels, restaurants and events are. It's good to be familiar with your surroundings so you can draw on those resources when you are in a jam.
LESSON 2: GO WITH THE FLOW
Stay with the flow of traffic so you don’t get stuck. Go with the flow of people because the more people around the more likely you will pick up a ride. Get a read for your audience so you can sell your ride more easily. Ask country bros if they want to go for a rip. Ask the woman and the gentleman coming from the theatre if they would like a romantic tour of the city. Personalization is key.
LESSON 3: FORGET YOUR PRIDE
If you want to make the big bucks, you need to forget about being a big shot. People take a rickshaw because it’s fun so make it fun. Tell jokes, sing, dance, whatever it takes. The more fun you make it the happier they will be, and the more likely they will tip you. You need to think quickly on your feet to deflect jokes and the odd insult back on the other person. “Uhhhh, it it free?” ”No, but smiles are free!” “A-heh-heh-heh, can you take me to Mississauga?” “That depends, when do you want to get there? I’ll get you there by Wednesday and it will be $800, hop in!” These are my streets, yo.
LESSON 4: KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE
Goal setting in life is important. A lot of rickshaw guys need the cash, bad. I did not. I knew I had a well-paying position starting in September and really only needed the money for entertainment purposes. Because of that, I left a lot of money on the table. The nice thing about being a rickshaw runner is that every dollar feels earned. I only worked two Saturdays and I made a combined $975 on those days. But I felt I had better things to do. Being a rickshaw runner allowed me to make enough money throughout the week to use weekends for things I wanted to do like seeing my friends, travelling to cottages or going to concerts. I only had two months in Canada, I didn’t want to spend it sweating and ruining my knees all night and day. I had a great summer.
Toronto is a wonderfully diverse city. Every neighbourhood has something worth offering. No matter where I live I liked to explore different ways of getting around on foot or by bicycle. This helped me as a rickshaw driver because I knew where most things were from past experience. Pay attention when getting around so you can immediately answer questions on how far the best hotels, restaurants and events are. It's good to be familiar with your surroundings so you can draw on those resources when you are in a jam.
LESSON 2: GO WITH THE FLOW
Stay with the flow of traffic so you don’t get stuck. Go with the flow of people because the more people around the more likely you will pick up a ride. Get a read for your audience so you can sell your ride more easily. Ask country bros if they want to go for a rip. Ask the woman and the gentleman coming from the theatre if they would like a romantic tour of the city. Personalization is key.
LESSON 3: FORGET YOUR PRIDE
If you want to make the big bucks, you need to forget about being a big shot. People take a rickshaw because it’s fun so make it fun. Tell jokes, sing, dance, whatever it takes. The more fun you make it the happier they will be, and the more likely they will tip you. You need to think quickly on your feet to deflect jokes and the odd insult back on the other person. “Uhhhh, it it free?” ”No, but smiles are free!” “A-heh-heh-heh, can you take me to Mississauga?” “That depends, when do you want to get there? I’ll get you there by Wednesday and it will be $800, hop in!” These are my streets, yo.
LESSON 4: KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE
Goal setting in life is important. A lot of rickshaw guys need the cash, bad. I did not. I knew I had a well-paying position starting in September and really only needed the money for entertainment purposes. Because of that, I left a lot of money on the table. The nice thing about being a rickshaw runner is that every dollar feels earned. I only worked two Saturdays and I made a combined $975 on those days. But I felt I had better things to do. Being a rickshaw runner allowed me to make enough money throughout the week to use weekends for things I wanted to do like seeing my friends, travelling to cottages or going to concerts. I only had two months in Canada, I didn’t want to spend it sweating and ruining my knees all night and day. I had a great summer.
LESSON 5: BE EASY TO TALK TO
This is an easy lesson that doesn’t come natural to everyone. Be nice! Be nice to everyone! Be nice to the hot dog guys who work on the street. Be nice to the bylaw officer who is ruining your evening. Be nice to your customers when they scream at you to run faster. When I walked around I would usually have a stupid grin on my face and I would engage every single person that looked or glanced at the rickshaw I was pulling. As soon as someone makes eye contact I am able to start up a conversation. It helps if you don’t like a bum, too.
I’m fortunate that I have great friends who allowed me to crash at their place for a minimal fee and other friends with weird schedules like me. Never a dull moment. I’ll miss everyone in Canada but it’s 2014. I have a blog. People have smart phones. Be in touch. I have to shut down a part of my brain and fire up the ol’ teaching sector. I’m looking forward to the challenge.
This is the first thing I’ve written in 2 months so I apologize if this is a little clunky to read. It’ll get better I promise. The Beijing blog begins now. Hopefully I don’t become as cynical as I did by the end of my Shanghai blog. Yeesh.
1.
This is an easy lesson that doesn’t come natural to everyone. Be nice! Be nice to everyone! Be nice to the hot dog guys who work on the street. Be nice to the bylaw officer who is ruining your evening. Be nice to your customers when they scream at you to run faster. When I walked around I would usually have a stupid grin on my face and I would engage every single person that looked or glanced at the rickshaw I was pulling. As soon as someone makes eye contact I am able to start up a conversation. It helps if you don’t like a bum, too.
I’m fortunate that I have great friends who allowed me to crash at their place for a minimal fee and other friends with weird schedules like me. Never a dull moment. I’ll miss everyone in Canada but it’s 2014. I have a blog. People have smart phones. Be in touch. I have to shut down a part of my brain and fire up the ol’ teaching sector. I’m looking forward to the challenge.
This is the first thing I’ve written in 2 months so I apologize if this is a little clunky to read. It’ll get better I promise. The Beijing blog begins now. Hopefully I don’t become as cynical as I did by the end of my Shanghai blog. Yeesh.
1.