My British friend used Didi for the first time in Chengdu. She called the driver 'Sir.' He hung up.
My friend Lucy from London downloaded Didi for her Chengdu trip. She's used Uber in 20 countries. How different could it be?Very different, apparently.
The registration:
She downloaded the international version (blue icon, available on App Store/Google Play). Registered with her UK number. Added her Mastercard. Passport verification took 2 minutes.
So far, so good.
The first ride:
She books an Express from her hotel to the panda base. The driver calls her.
Lucy, being British, answers: "Hello, sir. This is Lucy. I'm at the hotel entrance."
The driver says something in rapid Sichuan dialect. Lucy says "Sorry?" The driver hangs up.
She panics. Texts me: "The driver hung up on me. Did I offend him?"
I explained: Chinese Didi drivers don't expect small talk. They call to confirm location, not to chat. "Sir" isn't really used the same way. Just say "ni hao" or even answer with your hotel name.
What actually works with Didi drivers:
• They call to confirm your exact pickup spot
• They rarely speak English
• The in-app chat has auto-translation (tap the chat icon)
• Share your live location if they can't find you
• Look at the license plate, not the driver photo
Lucy's other discoveries:
You can book a taxi through Didi.
Not just private cars. Actual official taxis. Same price as flagging one down, but you see the fare estimate upfront.
The safety features are solid.
Share trip status with a friend. Emergency button. Driver verification. Route tracking.
You don't need a Chinese number.
International numbers work fine. But you DO need roaming enabled to receive the SMS verification code.
Payment is automatic.
No "end trip" button. No tipping. The app charges your card when you arrive.
Pro tips from the search I just did:
• Download and set up Didi BEFORE you land in China
• Drop the pin at the main entrance of your building, not the middle of it
• In busy areas, drivers might call and say "I'm here" when they're actually 50 meters away
• If you can't find each other, use the in-app "I'm here" button with a photo of your surroundings
• Cash is NOT needed — everything is cashless
Lucy's final verdict: "Once I stopped trying to be polite and just answered with my location, it was easier than Uber. Also, ¥15 for a 20-minute ride? London is a scam."
Anyone else had a confusing first Didi experience?
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