A little math problem...
 

I thought this was to right board to ask. A few years ago (I can't believe I am still thinking about this), I landed at JFK, it was very late and there were no shuttles left to go to EWR, just private limousines that charged $150 for the trip.
On the sidewalk outside the terminal, I overhear a couple talking to a limo driver, saying that they they'd like to go to EWR too. I walk up to them and propose that we share the ride.
The trip is uneventful, they seem pretty well to do and glamorous, in the fashun industry (I was still a poor student). As we pull up to the curb at EWR, I give them my $50. They start screaming at me that I owe them $75, which I end up handing out as I point out to them that $150/3= $50, there were three people in that limo, not two parties.

To this day, I am mad. Not only because I was a poor student and they were pretentious jerks who obviously had money yet argued over $25, but also because I felt I had been taken for ride.

Was my share $150/3 or $150/2?

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 11-17-2000).]

I would not say there is any correct answer.. the problem was there was not a meeting of the minds before you entered the limo!

TW

You could look at this either way, but I have to side with your anonymous fashun pax. Here's my reasoning:

They were going to ride for $150 as a party. You are a second party. It isn't people that counts, it's parties. That's my take on it, sorry that I don't agree with you but you asked.

Funny how these things gnaw at us over the months and years...

A clear case of Couples' Math. Incomprehensible to singles (and to mathematicians).

A couple going to a birthday party brings how many gifts? (Yet the couple each receives individual gifts for their own birthdays).

i agree with richard, it is a party math.. the limo charges $150 for the trip regardless of the no. of people... so two of them is a 'party', and one of u is another 'party' in this case...

but, if i were them, i would have given u, a student a ride, no charge... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

WHY BE UPSET? If you had to go alone, it would have cost $150. So did you save $50 or $75???

I agree with Tolarian Wind, you should have made an agreement upfront. To split per person or per party.

Since you asked, Droneklax --

Your Question: "Was my share $150/3 or $150/2?"
My Answer: $150/2

I agree with the various posts above and would like to offer my perspective on it. In this situation you offered and they agreed to share their limousine and the $150 fare with you. Based on your conversation with the couple, I really feel they were correct in expecting the $75 for sharing their limousine with you. By the way, the gratuity on a $150 bill, if it were not included, would be an additional $25 or so. They gave up any and all privacy they would have had and that may have been priceless. To avoid any misunderstanding, I never assume anything. It's necessary to be pro-active. I always spell out the terms, dollar amount, or any expectations.
The fact that they had money or "argued" over $25, I feel, doesn't justify your characterization of them as "pretentious jerks." Believe me, I've driven many in my time, some of them even big name celebrities. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I believe this couple simply wanted and expected you to live up to your end of the agreement. They didn't approach you, you approached them. They were one half of the equation, I feel.

I'm sorry for any misunderstanding you had and most sorry that "To this day" you are still mad and it is bothering you. I hope our various posts offer you the insight and understanding to move on. I also hope that the limousine trips you've had since then have been enjoyable ones.

Happy travels and have a nice day! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif