Lesson 127 A Shocking Experience

Taking a taxi in a certain Eastern Europen country can be a shocking experience.It is said that some drivers have metal wire stuck into the passenger seats.And if a button is pushed,the seat will give you an electric shock.These taxi drivers don't do this for fun.They do it to tourists who argue about the ridiculous fares the charge.Some drivers charge as much as ten times the legal fare.They have a secret switch whick makes the meters run faster.If you refuse to pay,you are really in for a shock.
In one case,a German woman had no choice but to pay US$120 for a US 20 ride from airport.She said that she was "readlly taken for a ride".but what could she do?Beside the electric shock,she was verbally abused and threatened with physical violence.She has only one piece of advice to tourists:Take the bus or stay at home.

ridiculous 荒谬的 怪诞的
verbally（口头上的） abused（虐待）：言语辱骂