Bangalore Autowallah's

Every time I step out of my place in Bangalore to go somewhere, it might invariably lead to a war of words with an auto-wallah for the exorbitant amounts they charge for a ride in their precious(read made of gold) auto's. Having been here for almost two years now, it now comes as second nature to argue with an auto-wallah. Some of the reasons that that they give are downright funny and it’s sometimes hard to maintain a straight face while arguing with them.

A few years back Star One used to air a game show, "Family Fortunes". In the same format I give you "Top 10 stupid reasons given by Autowallah's for charging high"(arranged from most common to rarer)

10) Mujhe akaele aana hoga(I've to come alone)
9) Meter nahi chalta hai(Meter doesnt work)
8) Bahut traffic hoga (Traffic will be high at this time)
7) Mein wahan nahi jaata (I dont go that way)
6) Petrol ka daam bad gaya, jante ho?(Petrol prices have increased)
5) Mein Wahan se akele aaya hoon. (I've come alone till here)
4) De do saab. 10 baaje ke baad one half lega(Give sir. After 10 we charge one and half (meter) (this at 9, when he is almost asking double))
3) Meri gaadi naayi hai.(My vehicle is new)
2) Kya saab, aapke paas toh paise hai. (Why (are you penny-pinching) sir, you have money)

The last and the one that takes the cake along with the icing and also the box that it came in...
1) Bahut thand hai saab.(Its cold)

Got any more?

I've some very sarcastic replies(and i know you have too) for all of the above, but will save that for some other time. In the meanwhile keep arguing, lest the autowallah's swindle you of your hard-earned money..