The cynical Miranda Hobbes of “Sex and the City” once said that “men are like cabs” — this seemingly harsh objectification of the male species is in truth more miserable for the women involved. She explains, “When they’re available, their light goes on. They awake one day and decide they’re ready to settle down, have babies, whatever, and they turn their light on. Next woman they pick up, boom! That’s the one they’ll marry. It’s not fate, it’s dumb luck.” 

Does this metaphor ring true? Do relationships fail because men are jerks? Are we blind to the cab light, or are we delusional enough to think we have the power to light it up? 

Stories of women in long term relationships that fall apart are always surfacing on social media platforms. They often highlight that relationships flourish with the right timing and the emotional availability of the other person at that point in time. But what if women could flip the script and use this knowledge to their advantage? If a guy tells you he’s “not looking for anything serious right now,” believe him. If his light is off, he’s not picking up any more passengers. Also: Drive your own car. Instead of waiting for the right man at the right time, women should set their own timeline for relationships. Finally, some men do go through phases. While you shouldn’t wait around hoping for change, look out for patterns that indicate that someone is approaching their commitment phase: he’s starting to take his future more seriously, he surrounds himself with more committed friends — and fewer “party types” — or expresses interest in stability.  

From “Sex and the City” to "Sex and This Coastal Town" — where the dating pool is limited, hook-up culture thrives, and everyone knows everyone — this theory takes on an even sharper edge. In St Andrews, relationships seem to spring up suddenly, old flames are constantly recycled, and the timing of commitment feels just as crucial as attraction itself. It’s a story as old as Freshers’ Week: two people have been casually hooking up for months, no labels, no pressure, and one decides to suddenly pull away. Seemingly, the Taxi Cab Theory holds. Nonetheless, the theory assumes that once a taxi is taken it’s off the market, but in St Andrews that cab is often hailed again. The cab light turns off, then flickers back on when an old connection resurfaces; the theory meets a bubble effect. It’s no longer a large dynamic dating pool, but a romantic recycling of the same small group. Additionally, pre-graduation deadlines do not only refer to dissertation deadlines: the sentiment of settling down prevails in third and fourth year, when grades get serious, going out inevitably declines, and a relationship takes over one-night stands.  

In St Andrews, where love, hookups, and social circles constantly overlap, the Taxi Cab Theory plays out in ways that feel both inevitable and frustrating. Relationships aren’t always about destiny or deep emotional connection — sometimes, they’re just about timing. The guy you spent months with casually? He didn’t necessarily find someone better than you — he just turned his light on, and she happened to be there. But recognizing this doesn’t have to be depressing. If anything, it’s empowering. Instead of waiting at the curb for someone else’s timeline to align with yours, take control of your own. Because at the end of the day, relationships aren’t just about hailing the right cab — they’re about knowing when to get in, when to get out, and when to drive your own.