Chicago cabbies are not just known for their superb driving skills, they are also known for being friendlier than other cabbies around the country, or even the world. They are, after all, used to driving tourists all over the city. And knowing what a beautiful city this is, they’ve probably had hundreds of conversations with passengers from all over, too.

But sometimes, cabbies won’t be the first ones to talk. Hop into a Universal Taxi and you’ll find that sometimes, these cabbies can be quite shy, too. Cases like these, they’re just waiting for you to ask the right questions. Any of these questions below would be the cue for them to start revealing their friendly selves:

• “Busy day?”

Any human being would actually enjoy being asked how their day has been, especially if you’ve been behind the wheel the whole day. This is one question that would trigger a great conversation, with the cabbie telling you anything from that accident he witnessed downtown to the famous passenger he drove just before you hailed him.

• “Pulling in a few extra hours?”

This is perfect if you booked a ride through the Universal Taxi app really late at night. It could prompt the cabbie to tell you about a new home he’s hoping to buy, or a nice gift he wants to get for his daughter. Every hour worked beyond the usual will always have a story behind it, and that’s one great story for you to hear as you drive from point A to point B.

• “Ever had any famous passengers?”

Probably every cabbie has had a famous passenger, especially if they’ve been driving around the city for quite some time. If you chanced upon a cabbie who’s fairly new in the business however, there’s a possibility that they haven’t been lucky just yet. In this case, you can always follow that up with “I bet you’ve had some weird ones though.”

• “You been in Chicago long?”

Although cabbies seem to have mastered the streets of Chicago, not all of them have lived around here all their lives. If you’re new around the city, maybe this will give you the chance to meet someone who also hails where you come from. And when you’re lucky enough to experience that, you’re going to find yourself enjoying the ride as you reminisce about home.

• “How’s business these days?”

This is a particularly touchy subject, knowing that cabbies are still at war with ride-sharing services. It’s the best way to get your cab driver to talk though, knowing that they would definitely have a lot to say about the subject. If you’re the type who enjoys political conversations and other pressing issues, then this is the perfect question for you to ask.

Starting a conversation with a cabbie could be the best thing you can ever do in Chicago. It’s a great way for you to get a glimpse inside a local’s mind, and could score you a few pointers from someone who knows every road and corner in the city as well.