After three years, public reaction to the program is still remarkable in its enthusiasm and acceptance. While the subjects are chosen carefully, the delight and support of patrons continues to be striking. New elements to the noted reactions of patrons relate to repeat customers, as well as signs that the program's reputation is spreading. These new observations serve to illustrate not only how the program is doing, but also show directions the program may take in the future.
I am making an effort to avoid giving AIDS Awareness Packets to those patrons that might be offended or in some way create problems for the program. These include patrons that seems extremely conservative, or underage. While I feel that the underage patrons are actually in more need of the Awareness Program than many others I also feel that providing them with packets at this point in the program 's development would be a mistake. I do not wish to come between parents and their children in matters of choice and education. However experience in the cab has shown that many parents are willing to pass on the packets to their children. The Condom packets are a humorous and direct way that a parent can reach out to his or her children, providing information and protection without conflict or embarrassment.
I often not only have patrons that have received packets from me on many previous occasions, but also encounter first time riders that have heard of the program and are excited by the prospect of receiving one themselves. I am often greeted by customers asking if I am still "doing the condom thing." I have heard several reports from customers that a particular packet "came in handy last week" and they need more, or various phrases to that effect.
Different nights are different experiences and I give away anywhere from 10- 30 packets a night.
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April 29th
1:30am... Picked up three young men from the Catalyst by special request and took them to the east side. One of the young men introduced me as the "Cosmic Cabbie" and told his friends that I had given him a condom the week before. He said it was very special... Better than normal condoms. I suspect that the magic involved was primarily due to the program and the fact he didn't have to pay for it.
April 30th
10:45pm... Picked up a woman from the Red Room who on receiving her packet told me that she had seen one just like it tacked to the bulletin board in her communal student house. This is a common theme. Evidently many packets end up on bulletin boards. I consider this a successful resting place. If they're there, they'll get used. And in the meantime they raise awareness.
May 6th
3:20 am... Picked up a young woman from the Live Oak area who said she thought it was a great idea and wondered if I was the only cab driver doing it. She was very supportive. This question gets asked at least once a night. Since then I have picked her up several times at her request and she has introduced me to several people as the man she had told them about who is doing the AIDS Awareness Program.
May 27th
10:30pm...
Picked up two lesbian women at the Blue Lagoon. While listening to their conversation I heard one say that a cab driver had given her friend a condom the week before. They were very surprised when I produced the packet and gave it to them. They expressed strong support for the program though at first they said they didn't actually need a packet. However on second thought they took it for"a friend."
May 28th
9:20pm... Picked up the owner of a large local distributing company and took him from the bus station to the east side. On receiving his packet he said it was a brilliant idea. He then offered me a job in a new company he is starting.
June 3rd
8:30pm
10:45 pm
1:45pm... Picked up a couple on the east side and took them to a bar near 41st Ave. Gave them a packet and they were somewhat pleased, but not thrilled. Picked them up again later at their request. It seems that the packet had been a great conversation piece in the bar and they had given it to their bartender. They insisted I give them another for the next bar... Excellent advertising. Picked them up again at their request for the ride home. Definitely sold on the idea.
June 4th
9:30pm
10:45pm... Picked up three women at the Dream Inn and took them to the crows nest. Two secretaries and their boss from Stanford out for a business party. I gave one of them a packet, she was pleased, but didn't talk about it much. Later picked them up again by request and was asked by the boss for two more. It seems she hadn't realized what it was until her friend showed it to her in the bar. She specifically wanted two to give to her children. She also said she would have her son call me next month when he comes to Santa Cruz. She was thrilled.
June 10th
11:45pm... Picked up a man from the Blue Lagoon and gave him a packet on the way to the harbor area. He said "Thank you for the vote of confidence," and tipped me extremely well. He also mentioned that he had heard about the program at the bar.
June 11th
8:30pm...
Picked up 5 women at the Dream Inn on their way to a bachelor party at Margaritaville. There was a playful argument over who was to get the packet, and I had to give two more to placate the group. This is also common. With multiple fares, people often want more than one per ride. Sometimes when it seems they will really make use of them I go ahead and supply them, other times I tell them only one per ride.
June 17th
10:00pm...
Picked up a man at Palookaville and took him to 17th Ave. At first he thought I had given him matches and told me he didn't smoke. When he realized there was a condom in the packet, he became very enthusiastic. He also asked me pointed and indepth questions regarding costs, printing and other aspects of the program.
June18th
3:00am... Picked up several students going to Porter College. As always with students they thought the idea was tremendous. One Blonde beauty snatched the condom from her friend, stuck it in her pocket and stated that she was now "covered."
BACK HOME UP FORWARD