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Cabbies keep smiling
Smiling taxi drivers have hit back after a survey branded them the country's grumpiest workers.
Preston's cabbies rubbished claims they are bottom of the league for laughs, saying they were naturally friendly people and always willing to share a joke with customers.
In a survey of 4,000 British workers to find out who laughed most in the workplace, less than 1% of taxi drivers said they laughed regularly during the day.
Many blamed traffic jams, the rising cost of petrol and drunken customers for their cheerlessness.
Former Preston North End player Eric Potts, 59, who has been a taxi driver for 18 years, insisted he always made an effort to have a laugh with customers.
He said: "It's not a grumpy profession, we just don't have that much to laugh at at the moment. "But you always have to put a smile on your face and have a joke with customers."
Syed Bukhari, 36, who has been a taxi driver for three years, blames the recession for cabbies lack of laughs.
He said: "We have been very quiet since the recession started.
"I haven't done a job for two hours which means I haven't made any money for two hours.
"You can't laugh when you're on your own for most of the day, but everyone always has a laugh when we get together.
"We are naturally very friendly people and will always have a chat with customers. It's just the situation and circumstances."
The survey also found that the things most likely to make us laugh are traditional jokes and other people's misfortunes.
Ahmed Hasan, 49, has been a cabbie for 20 years, said: "It's a load of rubbish - we always laugh and joke.
"I enjoy being a taxi driver and I enjoy talking to the customers."
Taxi drivers beat fitness instructors and undertakers to claim top spot as the grumpiest profession, with secretaries and housewives said to be the happiest.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 12 C
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