Conversations with an auto ric driver

Tamil Keywords to help you get around in Chennai in an auto ricshaw

AevaLo (How much?):  The L has a harsher ring to it but then you can still get it right pronouncing it otherwise.
Hand gesture: Close your fist and raise your thumb in a thumbs up sign and wiggle it up and down.

Aeppadi (How?)

Enge (where?)

Ponum (go?)

A typical conversation with an auto driver will go like this:

Auto driver: Enge ponum?

You: Mount road ponum.

You can judge the OK or NO just by the expression. Sometimes, the driver will shake his head and just go away. You know what that means. If yes, he will ask you to sit inside (Vukkaranga: Sit down). That is the trickiest part. You should not sit inside without discussing the fare. Here it goes

You: Evalo?

Auto driver: 100 Rs

You: Too much! Just say your price in Rs. For example, 60 Rs. Don’t add Tamil to it. Money knows no language.

You can get your bargain after some haggling.