Sukli (Change)

Officemates who are Cebu locals take pride in telling me that here in Cebu taxi drivers give exact change.  So on my first month in Cebu, I had to experience it myself.  And they were right.  Cebu cab drivers give exact change up to the last 50cents.

One time, manong driver was even apologetic because he does not have 50cents.  So, he only gave me 8pesos back instead of 8.50.  One of our HR specialists told a story about a cab driver from the airport who was willing to receive 320pesos for a metered fare of 327.50, because the driver did not have enough change for 400 pesos!

So this is one thing I have to learn.  I am used to cab drivers in Manila who would not give 20Pesos change.  For so long, it is either them the driver or me the passenger who assumed that if the change is less than 20bucks, it is keep the change.  So if your meter shows 82.50 and you only have 100pesos.  There is very small chance that you will get a change for that.  And interestingly, even I the passenger already assumes so.  I think we have just gotten used to it.

My Cebu friends would reprimand me for always asking the driver to keep the change.  They say that they don't want Cebuanos to be favoring tourists and foreigners, who usually gives extra tip or at least do not get the sukli.  They say that I will be here for a few years, but they will stay here and live the customs.

And most of the time, I still cannot do it.  And I still apologize profusely to my Cebuano friends, as I do understand their point.  I still am learning.  But most of the time failing, I just asked the cab driver to keep the change 3x this week.