5 ms·

Being offended at a flipped bird loses the citizen's respect, and increases citizen's contempt for officers. Even as his ego won, trust in the police is diminis

by meric 11y ago

Being offended at a flipped bird loses the citizen's respect, and increases citizen's contempt for officers. Even as his ego won, trust in the police is diminished. Imagine a police acting out and making an arrest due to anger, as opposed to a police that winks and says, "Have a nice day to you too.". Which officer would you respect more? http://www.quora.com/What-are-common-shit-tests http://www.quora.com/What-are-common-shit-tests

XorNot 11y ago
It doesn't matter. There is no individual benefit to doing this. It is a stupid idea to go through life presuming you can do, and it's to an extent, a violation of the social contract: we notionally let people do all sorts of things on the assumption that they will generally avoid doing them but that human nature is a finicky beast. You want good and fair outcomes from the police force? Then be respectful, but also support a justice system which won't screw someone over for just having a bad moment.
- meric 11y ago
  If the police force wants to be respected, then it must act in a way worthy of respect. Showing respect where none deserved is like painting the brown leaves of a dying tree green to make yourself appreciate it. Respect stems from behaviour like fruit springing from a tree. Neglect the tree, lose the fruit. Act foolishly, lose respect. The US police has lost my respect, because there are so many instances of police getting offended at flipped birds - none of which I'm responsible.
  - na85 11y ago
    What you seem to be missing or perhaps just not acknowledging is that the police don't care. They'll get paid whether you respect them or not.
    - dragonwriter 11y ago
      If enough voters don't respect them, that stops being true. Police get the pay, benefits, etc., that they do as outputs of as political process that rests on those decisions not resulting in political costs to the politicians making them.
    - meric 11y ago
      From the article, the way they are acting shows quite obviously they do care. If they didn't care about being insulted, they wouldn't be making the arrests. But they will continue to be insulted and viewed in contempt - it's akin to children demanding to be seen as being very grown up. They will continue to be paid - using monies from taxes and bonds and civil asset forfeiture. The will continue to demand raises, and it will continue to put pressure on the citizens. You and I don't have to do anything, there is nothing to do. Anything that don't last forever, won't.
- megablast 11y ago
  > There is no individual benefit to doing this. Completely wrong. It is how change happens. If we accept this bad behavior, it becomes ingrained, and we all suffer.

by meric 11y ago

XorNot 11y ago

It doesn't matter. There is no individual benefit to doing this. It is a stupid idea to go through life presuming you can do, and it's to an extent, a violation of the social contract: we notionally let people do all sorts of things on the assumption that they will generally avoid doing them but that human nature is a finicky beast. You want good and fair outcomes from the police force? Then be respectful, but also support a justice system which won't screw someone over for just having a bad moment.

meric 11y ago
If the police force wants to be respected, then it must act in a way worthy of respect. Showing respect where none deserved is like painting the brown leaves of a dying tree green to make yourself appreciate it. Respect stems from behaviour like fruit springing from a tree. Neglect the tree, lose the fruit. Act foolishly, lose respect. The US police has lost my respect, because there are so many instances of police getting offended at flipped birds - none of which I'm responsible.
- na85 11y ago
  What you seem to be missing or perhaps just not acknowledging is that the police don't care. They'll get paid whether you respect them or not.
  - dragonwriter 11y ago
    If enough voters don't respect them, that stops being true. Police get the pay, benefits, etc., that they do as outputs of as political process that rests on those decisions not resulting in political costs to the politicians making them.
  - meric 11y ago
    From the article, the way they are acting shows quite obviously they do care. If they didn't care about being insulted, they wouldn't be making the arrests. But they will continue to be insulted and viewed in contempt - it's akin to children demanding to be seen as being very grown up. They will continue to be paid - using monies from taxes and bonds and civil asset forfeiture. The will continue to demand raises, and it will continue to put pressure on the citizens. You and I don't have to do anything, there is nothing to do. Anything that don't last forever, won't.
megablast 11y ago
> There is no individual benefit to doing this. Completely wrong. It is how change happens. If we accept this bad behavior, it becomes ingrained, and we all suffer.