Xe Jing is feeling nervous. "The Olympics is approaching, everyone is getting more nervous," says the 30-something Beijing cab driver. Xe has been driving around the city's streets for years. But lately, cab drivers such as Xe have been picking up some unwelcome passengers -- work colleagues sent to check on them.
"They [officers of the cab company] do undercover checks waving us down like normal customers," explains Xe. "If the cab is not up to standard, a fine of 200 yuan will be levied against us."
For an idea of what these "inspectors" are looking for, you need look no further than cabbies' glove boxes. Glued on them are reminders of the kinds of standards Beijing's cab drivers are expected to uphold: "Brush your teeth often. Bathe regularly. Change your clothes". The idea: to eliminate any foul-smelling cabs -- and cabbies -- by the time foreign tourists flood in next year for the Games. 
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