In response to KB yesterday, I would hazard a guess that you don't exactly 'open up' to the taxi drivers either. Remember taxi drivers are more than just chauffeurs..they are humans with families.
I'll address each of your points:
1.  Being a taxi driver is, I suspect, a lonely job.  His only link with home, be it India or Pakistan, Jordan or Tardjikistan, is likely to be a radio station in his native language. Try chatting with him.  I have found they turn down the volume when you do talk. What's best, feeling your eyes digging in the back of his head or listening to news from his home country?
2.  Whenever my taxi drivers have answered their mobile phone I ask them to please switch it off, focus on the driving instead and remind them that it's illegal - Another interaction.
3.  I usually know from early on in the ride whether the taxi driver deserves a tip or not.  Even if they drive well but don't speak my language I still give them a tip….and have always had a nod of thanks…I am not smug enough to assume that they know the word 'thanks' in English. Do you know it in Hindi??  I don't!
So my point here is: interact more with your taxi driver (I always ask,"where are you from?", "How long have you been in Dubai?" etc..) and you might possibly have a more relaxed and enjoyable ride!
Vocal UK ex-pat
Dubai   

http://www.7days.ae/showstory.php?id=58650