3 ms·

So do you read all that off of a card? I say this having never been searched nor asked to take a field sobriety test, but I've always found that a modicum of r

So do you read all that off of a card? I say this having never been searched nor asked to take a field sobriety test, but I've always found that a modicum of respect and politeness keeps things quite civil and ensures no trouble.

CaptSpify 11y ago
I hate to bring it up, but are you white? I suspect that race, and where you live changes these things a lot. Don't get me wrong, I agree that being respectful, polite, and not being a pain in the ass helps. I'm white, and have been pulled over a couple of times, with no real issue. The one time I was riding with a black family member (who had done nothing ticket-able, or suspicious) was one of the longest and most troublesome police incidents I've ever seen. Anecdotal? yes, but it mirrors statistics that I've seen.
- GrinningFool 11y ago
  I am and that's certainly a factor - though I lose points in the 'respectable citizen' department for long hair, occasional beard, and tattoos. My wife is not, though, and her experiences have mirrored mine. But anecdotes, etc. I'm not saying that it's always going to work out, nor that there's never a time and place that OP's method is appropriate - only that starting a dialog that way is unnecessarily antagonistic.
dalke 11y ago
How is that text not respectful? It's well-aligned with what I've read about what the courts say is needed in order to fully express that you wish to exercise all your rights, and not give any of them up voluntarily.
- GrinningFool 11y ago
  The text itself is respectful enough. The problem is more the subtext: "You are the enemy, and are not be trusted. Therefore it is only possible for us to interact under these precise terms."
  - dsp1234 11y ago
    "You are the enemy, and are not be trusted. Every time I've been pulled over, the police office has walked to my passenger side window with their hand on their sidearm. I'd say the subtext starts way before mentioning any actual rights I might have (and that the Supreme Court has stated that must I explicitly use in order to keep)
- triplesec 11y ago
  Cop logic, I'm afraid. Respectful means not mentioning your rights, and appearing to cooperate. Unfortunately, only white people get that privilege, usually.

CaptSpify 11y ago

I hate to bring it up, but are you white? I suspect that race, and where you live changes these things a lot. Don't get me wrong, I agree that being respectful, polite, and not being a pain in the ass helps. I'm white, and have been pulled over a couple of times, with no real issue. The one time I was riding with a black family member (who had done nothing ticket-able, or suspicious) was one of the longest and most troublesome police incidents I've ever seen. Anecdotal? yes, but it mirrors statistics that I've seen.

GrinningFool 11y ago
I am and that's certainly a factor - though I lose points in the 'respectable citizen' department for long hair, occasional beard, and tattoos. My wife is not, though, and her experiences have mirrored mine. But anecdotes, etc. I'm not saying that it's always going to work out, nor that there's never a time and place that OP's method is appropriate - only that starting a dialog that way is unnecessarily antagonistic.

dalke 11y ago

How is that text not respectful? It's well-aligned with what I've read about what the courts say is needed in order to fully express that you wish to exercise all your rights, and not give any of them up voluntarily.

GrinningFool 11y ago
The text itself is respectful enough. The problem is more the subtext: "You are the enemy, and are not be trusted. Therefore it is only possible for us to interact under these precise terms."
- dsp1234 11y ago
  "You are the enemy, and are not be trusted. Every time I've been pulled over, the police office has walked to my passenger side window with their hand on their sidearm. I'd say the subtext starts way before mentioning any actual rights I might have (and that the Supreme Court has stated that must I explicitly use in order to keep)
triplesec 11y ago
Cop logic, I'm afraid. Respectful means not mentioning your rights, and appearing to cooperate. Unfortunately, only white people get that privilege, usually.