"Credit card machine is broken."

I have gotten quite tired of the guilt and frustration I feel every time I step into a New York City taxi. As I reach inside my wallet to notice that, no, of course I have no cash on hand, I realize that I will be forced to endure the good old back and forth between myself and the driver regarding my method of payment. One would hope that since all Manhattan cabs are now fully equipped with functioning credit card machines, these machines would be working at least 99% of the time. No. Not. In. This. City. We arrive at my destination and I take out my debit card, only to hear the driver mumble in a language that sounds something sort of like english, "Machine is not working. Machine is NOT working today." Oh really? Just today? What about yesterday when the other cab I flagged down had a machine that was not working either? And the one I took a few days ago where I was forced to get out of the cab and use an ATM at a deli, only to be charged an additional $2.50 for taking my money out? Hm. Although this can create more of a mess than you had ever imagined could occur in a taxi, I have found a solution. Repeat after me: "Sir, I only have a credit card. I can not get cash. I have to use a credit card or I'm sorry, I just can't pay you." Amazingly enough, the utterance of this sentence magically FIXES the credit card machine! I swear, it's true! Of course, be prepared to hear a nasty comment under his breath as you swipe your card and realize that there's no way in hell you are going to tip him the recommended 25% that is posted on the screen. Thank g-d we're not forced to pay before the trip is over - I can see many trips of mine resulting in me being left off in a dark alley somewhere east of Avenue D. Yikes.