4 ms·

> Fuck the police. There's this theory in psychotherapy called transference. Basically if you experience crappy situations as a child in which you are effecti

> Fuck the police. There's this theory in psychotherapy called transference. Basically if you experience crappy situations as a child in which you are effectively powerless, then in later years similar situations end up provoking the same feelings - you transfer the past onto the present. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transference I have no way to know if this is what's going on here, but in my own life, understanding things from this perspective has been a remarkably powerful tool for generating insight and change. I have had (and continue to have) no shortage of conflicts with authority in my life, including ridiculous abuse from the cops, but it did get significantly better once I started directing my anger at my parents, who for me were the original offenders. Just an alternative perspective out of left field.

donohoe 13y ago
I'm guessing this is not applicable here, if what he says is true: Despite my opinions about the lot of them, I am calm, polite, professional, and courteous in my interactions with them.
- nmcfarl 13y ago
  I have a friend who for years said exactly the same things to me, and wondered why the cops were constantly harassing him. And then I got stopped in a traffic stop with him - as he speeds all the time - and he was shifty, dodgy, couldn't look the cop in the eye, and gave clipped in his verbal responses. He was "polite" but if I was the cop I'd've been beyond suspicious. There was no reason to be shifty - he was clean, except for the speeding. But his general attitude towards the cop shone through like search light. People's self perceptions may not be others perceptions. And your body language may be saying things your words aren't.
  - sneak 13y ago
    Yeah, I don't do that. I know I'm unimpeachable unless they make up something, and I know that they have to let me in. I look them in the eyes, I smile, I attempt to establish rapport. The problem is that thugs with guns who are used to acting with impunity are enraged when people quietly, demurely, and professionally stand up to them. It never ever happens because everyone has somewhere to be, a schedule to keep, and knows that they'll be on their way quickly if they "just answer a few harmless questions". They're cops with guns, after all.
- foobarbazqux 13y ago
  Have you never had a customer service representative politely tell you to go fuck yourself? When I was abused by my parents, it was never called for. As an adult, again and again I would create situations where I was obviously "in the right" so that I could get people to recreate that abuse and then subsequently feel and express the anger I had about it. For me, calmly provoking people is child's play, but I don't do it anymore.

donohoe 13y ago

I'm guessing this is not applicable here, if what he says is true: Despite my opinions about the lot of them, I am calm, polite, professional, and courteous in my interactions with them.

nmcfarl 13y ago
I have a friend who for years said exactly the same things to me, and wondered why the cops were constantly harassing him. And then I got stopped in a traffic stop with him - as he speeds all the time - and he was shifty, dodgy, couldn't look the cop in the eye, and gave clipped in his verbal responses. He was "polite" but if I was the cop I'd've been beyond suspicious. There was no reason to be shifty - he was clean, except for the speeding. But his general attitude towards the cop shone through like search light. People's self perceptions may not be others perceptions. And your body language may be saying things your words aren't.
- sneak 13y ago
  Yeah, I don't do that. I know I'm unimpeachable unless they make up something, and I know that they have to let me in. I look them in the eyes, I smile, I attempt to establish rapport. The problem is that thugs with guns who are used to acting with impunity are enraged when people quietly, demurely, and professionally stand up to them. It never ever happens because everyone has somewhere to be, a schedule to keep, and knows that they'll be on their way quickly if they "just answer a few harmless questions". They're cops with guns, after all.
foobarbazqux 13y ago
Have you never had a customer service representative politely tell you to go fuck yourself? When I was abused by my parents, it was never called for. As an adult, again and again I would create situations where I was obviously "in the right" so that I could get people to recreate that abuse and then subsequently feel and express the anger I had about it. For me, calmly provoking people is child's play, but I don't do it anymore.