The New York Post ran an unsavory story today that might ring a bell with a few parents. A Manhattan mother and her 6-year-old son were riding in a taxi cab when the little boy suddenly vomited all over the back seat. Horrified, the mother told the driver that as soon as they reached her destination, her husband would come down with some cleaning products and they would take care of the pungent mess. The cab driver flatly refused, instead insisting that the woman pay him $120 for a professional cleaning job. Debate ensued. Upon reaching her destination, the cab driver called the cops while the mother started scrubbing. When the police arrived, they said the driver had no grounds to make the demand. The mother refused to pay anything more than a her fare and four dollar tip. The cabbie drove off, later saying that the foul stench from the interior of his cab scared away a good deal of business.
As parents, we all know what it’s like when our children suddenly throw up. It’s awful and unfortunate. We feel for our children and deal with the mess. It’s just all a part of parenting. But do you sympathize with the cab driver at all in this instance? Did he have the right to demand the money for a professional cleaning job? What would you have done if you were the parent in this situation? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.