3 ms·

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

by 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.

by 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.