AND I, LEARNED SOMETHING THIS WEEKEND

If you've been reading this blog, which we know you have been because you're obviously reading this now, you're without a doubt smarter than before you found our site. Last week alone we learned a many things which have escaped New Yorker's for years - when to tip your street meat vendor, and when to resist your caped crusader impulses.

However, as another week is in the books, it's time to reflect on the knowledge we've (with your help) bestowed upon you.

1.) Cabbies in New York are for the most part, terrible, awful drivers. I can't count as high as the number of times I've feared for my life while trying to ride a simple 30 blocks. The thought of 'why didn't I just swipe that little card and use the trusty subway system' routinely enters my mind as my face gets smashed against the Plexiglas, where the greasy face stains from the last schlep who got tossed around still lie. However, we've learned that we, in no way, should ever tip a cab driver when he gets in an accident - regardless of fault, or how well he sings. A whopping 66% of you chimed in on this, and a new rule was set. NO PAYING.

2.) Thursday was a big day for AmISupposedtoTipThatGuy. We launched a new feature which features well....you! Every Thursday, a reader-submitted poll will be uploaded proving that the American public does still have a voice! Andrew had E-mailed us a question which had been plaguing tourists for centuries, and after our closest vote ever, a solution was found! In a poll decided by only four votes (4!) it was chosen that, even if you're amazingly talented and can handle placing your own bags in the back of a car...you should leave it to the professional. That bellhop has a job, and damn he's good at it. Throw him a buck or two...it'll probably impress that lady (or guy) friend you're with. We're not saying you have to pull a Lloyd when walking out of your neighborhood Motel 6, but show the guy you approve of his bagging skills.

BARRY AND AMJAD'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

So I was heading home from work a few weeks ago, and it was pouring outside. I hailed a cab (I'm absolutely spectacular at hailing cabs. Rain, snow, crowds - no matter. I see that little light on top and pounce like a cheetah) and headed uptown to my apartment.

From work to home is maybe a 10 minute ride. The heavy rain should slow my cab driver Amjad down, but he was speeding up 6th Ave like he was James Marsden or something. Meanwhile, I'm in the backseat kiiiiiinda freaking out - with good reason - we're near 80mph (please note, I'm a terrible guesstimator) and he wants to go faster!

About 7 seconds later, my man Amjad wanted to switch lanes. Unfortunately, another driver had the same idea, and BAM! Not a terrible accident (I'M FINE THANKS FOR ASKING), but lets just say that nifty plexiglas did its part. By now, Amjad is yelling what I imagine was some seriously foul language before turning around to check on me (YES AMJAD, I'M FINE THANKS FOR ASKING). He then throws this one at me: "So, so sorry about that other cab, crazy driver. That will be $3.80"

In my shaken state, I couldn't even fathom arguing with the man. I gave Amjad $4 and got out before I realized what I'd done. I look up and I'm at 6th Ave and Downing St. Where is that, you ask? NOWHERE CLOSE TO MY APARTMENT, THAT'S WHERE. He took me a whopping 6 blocks! As I'm getting rained on staring at these two gentleman cabbies scream at each other, I started chatting with some tall guy who got out of the other cab from the accident:

Me: Man, what a mess
Tall Stranger: Yeah, luckily I'm only a block away, and hey, free cab ride.
Me: Oh nice, lucky. Wait, what? Free cab ride?
Tall Stranger: Yeah, free. He got in a crash when I was in the cab... You paid?
Me: Yeah... I'm like 30 blocks away still.
Tall, Smug Stranger: Oh.. sucker.

OK, tall stranger didn't call me a sucker. But I could TOTALLY see the smugness in his eyes.

Anyway voters, we ask you this...

Am I supposed to pay that cab driver when he gets in a crash, be it a mere fender bender?