An Unusual Taxi Ride

Sorry for my long hiatus...my girlfriend was here for about two weeks and the semester is winding down at school. Two poor excuses...I know. :) I do have a lot of pictures to put up, and tales to tell, which I will get to, but for a now a quick story that actually just happened a few hours ago.
I was at my local department store tonight shopping for some presents and food items. I had about six large bags worth of stuff to carry, so since I couldn't ride my bike home(my usual method of transportation), I decided to take a taxi. In front of the department store they have a taxi line, and I moved into line and waited for a cab. I finally got to the front of the line and was waiting for a taxi to pull up. A small, green car pulls up in front of me, cutting off a driver that was about to pick me up. With an angry taxi cab driver behind him, the navigator of the small green car motions for me to get in. Another family had started to get in the cab that was behind the green car, and with my options dwinding and my fingers tingling(it is very cold tonight) I took the man up on his offer and put my stuff in his car and jumped in. I took note of his waving golden cat(they are very popular here) attached to his dashboard and wondered what just happened. We arrived at my destination and he stops the car, quickly turning around with his hand extended. He wants money. I only have a few coins, and then several large bills. I show him and explain my situation, that I am not giving him the big bills, and he doesn't have change, so he huffs and takes the few small coins and drives off - to his home, maybe his wife and child I presume. I am left in the cold with my things - but also left wondering how often this type of thing happens. Can you imagine driving home from work, pulling into a taxi line and picking someone up, and then demanding they pay you? It really is every man and women for themselves here in China - they are all looking to make a quick RMB - no matter what they have to do.