I've been wanting to start this thread for a while but just now had the time and motivation. I want to make a continuing list of little quirks that people do/say when i'm at work that either annoy the hell out of me or plain 'ole piss me off.
feel free to use this as a guide for those awkward times when you're in contact with the law, be it socially at the store, on the road or when you need assistance.
1. If you see a cop car in your mirror and you're in the left lane....MOVE OVER! ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LIGHTS/SIRENS ARE ON. ("see the lights, move to the RIGHT!!!") one of the most frustrating/annoying things that people do is slow down to below the speed limit when a cop gets in behind them. more than likely, we're not going to pull you over, we just want to get by. if you move over and the cop follows you...then he/she was behind you for a reason.
2. If you see a cop in the mall/store/gas station...wherever; don't bring your kids up to us and say, "see, if you act up he'll take you to jail". gee thanks dude...now your kid is afraid of cops. i know it may seem like you're the first person to ever say, "look officer! here she is! i know you've been looking for her (his wife)"......but you're not. we hear it EVERYDAY and the courtesy smile and laugh gets harder to do every time.
3. I don't care if your brother-in-law is a cop. If you're standing next to me in line at the burrito place and feel like you have to make small talk, then use the traditionally acceptable conversation starters, ie: how's the weather, glad it's friday, etc. The "do you know officer ____? ....he's my sisters' ex-fiance's brother's cousin....." gets really annoying.
4. If you are pulled over and you do happen to know someone on the police force, don't mention it (unless the cop is direct relative (mom,dad,spouse). if you get a ticket, talk your cop friend and see if they can help you out; dropping the "i know officer ____" trick usually has the opposite effect that you were intending.
5. If you see some cops eating lunch don't interrupt for a stupid loaded question that leads to the story of how your sister was arrested for running a meth lab and you want to know what she can do to get out of jail. now if you're walking by and just want to say hi or appease your kids curiosity that's absolutely cool. we understand that we stand out in public, especially to kids and most of us are more than happy to spend time chatting with the youngin's as long as it doesn't turn into the situation in #2.
also, if there are 4 or 5 cops eating together, they're probably not on regular duty (court or training), so don't make the joking comment of "so who's protecting the city".
that's all i can think of for now but i know there are a lot more that i've dealt with so i'll post them as i remember them.
feel free to use this as a guide for those awkward times when you're in contact with the law, be it socially at the store, on the road or when you need assistance.
1. If you see a cop car in your mirror and you're in the left lane....MOVE OVER! ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LIGHTS/SIRENS ARE ON. ("see the lights, move to the RIGHT!!!") one of the most frustrating/annoying things that people do is slow down to below the speed limit when a cop gets in behind them. more than likely, we're not going to pull you over, we just want to get by. if you move over and the cop follows you...then he/she was behind you for a reason.
2. If you see a cop in the mall/store/gas station...wherever; don't bring your kids up to us and say, "see, if you act up he'll take you to jail". gee thanks dude...now your kid is afraid of cops. i know it may seem like you're the first person to ever say, "look officer! here she is! i know you've been looking for her (his wife)"......but you're not. we hear it EVERYDAY and the courtesy smile and laugh gets harder to do every time.
3. I don't care if your brother-in-law is a cop. If you're standing next to me in line at the burrito place and feel like you have to make small talk, then use the traditionally acceptable conversation starters, ie: how's the weather, glad it's friday, etc. The "do you know officer ____? ....he's my sisters' ex-fiance's brother's cousin....." gets really annoying.
4. If you are pulled over and you do happen to know someone on the police force, don't mention it (unless the cop is direct relative (mom,dad,spouse). if you get a ticket, talk your cop friend and see if they can help you out; dropping the "i know officer ____" trick usually has the opposite effect that you were intending.
5. If you see some cops eating lunch don't interrupt for a stupid loaded question that leads to the story of how your sister was arrested for running a meth lab and you want to know what she can do to get out of jail. now if you're walking by and just want to say hi or appease your kids curiosity that's absolutely cool. we understand that we stand out in public, especially to kids and most of us are more than happy to spend time chatting with the youngin's as long as it doesn't turn into the situation in #2.
also, if there are 4 or 5 cops eating together, they're probably not on regular duty (court or training), so don't make the joking comment of "so who's protecting the city".
that's all i can think of for now but i know there are a lot more that i've dealt with so i'll post them as i remember them.
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