The dilemma

You're standing on a dusty street corner with your dead phone and a crumpled boarding pass. Across the street, a beat-up sedan with no taxi markings has a guy leaning against it, watching you. A group of older locals are sitting outside a tea house nearby, laughing and playing backgammon. You need to get to Istanbul Airport and you have maybe ten minutes to figure out a plan before you start losing your window.

Your options

1. Walk up to the unmarked car and use gestures and your boarding pass to negotiate a ride to the airport
2. Approach the group at the tea house and try to find someone who can help you figure out transport
3. You stand frozen, scanning the street, weighing options while precious minutes tick away