I am Alex Wang, cover man of the NYC Taxi Drivers Calendar, and I’m here with the calendar creators. Ask us anything about anything!

To Alex: As a taxi driver, what in your opinion has been your biggest accomplishment in terms of driving someone somewhere on time?

One guy from hotel in Midtown took my cab to JFK. After I cross the Midtown Tunnel he suddenly reminded me OMG I forgot passport in hotel safe. He say can you go back to hotel? So I go back fast! He say can you make it? I say I do my best! I take Midtown Tunnel again and he go upstairs right away, take passport down and we like flying to JFK byt we cannot speed!! We are happy the guy catch his plane just in time. We make a safe and fast drive to JFK and its a happy ending for passenger and for me too. - AW

How drastically has your life changed since the calendar came out?

Make me feel more happy! I feel like I am big celebrity now. You better buy tickets to see me! :-) - AK

To Alex: How many times have you been recognised since the release of the calendar and the popular post?

Do you now keep lollipops in the taxi? Because you should!

Lots of time! At JFK, on the street and at my taxi company I give everyone a calendar. Somebody at JFK say oh that's you in the calendar! Actually I never eat this giant lollipop but I should give them to passengers, that is a good idea! - AK

Alex, how was that big lollipop?

Did they let you finish it?

7 inchies. Lots of flavor. Mix fruit. - AW

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I already owned them but I know they would look great for the pictures! - AW

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Thank you! I wish you 2018 with happy and a smiling face every day! - AW

To the calendar people: How do you choose the taxi drivers featured in the calendar?

To Alex: I’m a big fan! What do you like about your job as taxi driver? Would you give it up to become a model?

The majority of our drivers are referrals from past models/drivers and it's really the first 12 that say yes first. Since it's a unique ask, we don't have a huge pool to choose from. -PK

The first few years, we put up ads online, which was challenging. Now, since most drivers are referrals, it's much easier to ask someone to take off their shirt when they know what to expect. - SK

Not give up yet! I love my job. I meet so many nice New Yorker and foreigner. I meet Mario Cuomo, Scottie Pippen, David Price for channel 4 and more great people like u/the_diva. - AW

What are you fave spots for karaoke? Also is there a neighborhood that tends to have the best and worst taxi riders? Thanks and stay safe out there!

My home. I have nice machine and you hear the songs nice and lots of old songs and new songs - plenty of choice. Most important you have me, happy crazy karaoke guy! And you will be happy to enjoy the food and everything on the house, no charge! You are invited. There is a place in Flushing called Soho that is very good. - AW

All neighborhoods good! I like make newcomer happy. I pick up a lot from airport JFK. I tell passenger you give me 1 joke I give you 2 joke! Make very warm trip, happy trip. I like make them feel family to me! - AW

Will you come to Atlanta and sleep with my ex? She's cute, young, depressed and will basically fuck anybody if they're nice to her or buy her food. When will you be in ATL next?

https://imgur.com/DJVGg8v

How safe is NYC at nighttime for tourists?

Do patrons ever leave the cab in rush hour, when cars aren’t moving (like in movies)? - do they pay?

Have you been recognized by “many” as a model?

Thanks :)

It is safe city but it is a good idea to watch behind your head and be careful. Or ride in a taxi! During rush hour, yes people do sometimes get out. I don not charge them because they not get where they going.! - AW

How long did it take you to be comfortable in front of the camera and let your real personality out? I can't imagine that was easy at first. You're awesome!

Thank you! I take just one second! I feel cold in the weather but I feel warm right away because I was excited to be in the calendar! - AW

Alex was incredible. We knew he'd be an awesome model before he even showed up, based on our communications with him. He sent us videos of him singing karaoke and as you can see from his photo, he did not disappoint. - SK

What is the very best cheese?

I like all kind of cheese. But I like cheesecake! - AW

Sargento Mozzarella, straight from the bag. - PK

I am completely addicted to brie! - SK

Whose brie?

I like Trader Joe's double cream, but Safeway's Primo Taglio brand, if you leave it in the fridge for a few weeks, ripens beautifully, btw. At least around here; I imagine it could have a regional-production variability to it.

Oh man, that's a tough one - I'm pretty non-discriminatory when it comes to brie. I agree about the double cream from TJ's, but unfortunately we don't have a Safeway near us. The Camembert from Whole Foods is dependable. - SK

What made you decide to take the plunge and be photographed for this calendar?

Have you given copies to your family and friends?

Thanks for making so many of us smile!

Thank you! My friend William introduce me to the calendar. He model in it year. He say, make picture, make picture for calendar! I say no, I'm too busy. Then I talk to Shannon and Phil very warm and inviting, and I say, I better do this!

I give copies of the calendar to lots of friends and many co-workers. And I show it to all of my passengers to make them happy! - AW

I haven't bought the calendar. Are there any cute girls in it?

You tell us. Check out Ms. October, Nipa: https://nyctaxicalendar.com - SK

What's it like knowing people all the way in Nebraska have seen you?

Feels like the world is very small. I feel like I have friends and loved ones all over the world. You are all my friends and my relatives now. I change the slogan from hands across America to Hands across the whole world! - AW

Sweet, we are related? Ah... uncle Alex, can I borrow $50?

Just 50? https://imgur.com/vd3Xa3J

Did you have any idea when you were making this that it would be so huge?

We were hopeful it would resonate with people, but we had no idea how well-received it would be. The response has been absolutely bonkers and we're so thankful people have enjoyed the project. Just this week we have shipped calendars to Estonia, France, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Australia and Germany. It's been crazy. - SK

who have you found to be the best for calendar printing, fulfillment, etc...?

We print the calendar with a company in the Midwest called Cedar Graphics. For fulfillment, Shannon and I actually handle it ourselves, from our living room. We pack, ship, and push the calendars through the streets of Brooklyn daily in this sweet cart straight to the post office. - PK

how do you handle lost/mutilated calendars? any tips for packing/shipping?

We typically reship if there is an issue with a shipment. Re: tips - Pratt envelopes are pretty good in terms of protection and we also use 'Do Not Bend' stickers. And we kiss every envelope for good luck. -PK

What is the furthest/longest you have ever driven a passenger?

To Pennsylvania somewhere. Like 2 hour just to get there! - AW

If you could transform into any pastry, gaining all their respective strengths and weaknesses, which pastry would you choose and why?

Jelly donut. I like sweet and don't worry they make you fat. I am sweet and I like the sweet food! - AW

question for user/lngshrts - to what extent did working on WASDE prepare you for your future gigs and how do you feel about polyethylene?

To the contrary. I spent years in therapy, chipping away at all the damage done from my pathetic origins as a financier. And re: polyethylene, I feel like prices will likely go up and down in 2018. - PK