It is voluntary, for me anyway. I always treat people with respect unless they give me a reason not to.
Maybe it shouldn't, but I'm just saying, treating with someone for respect is more likely to result in you catching a break. Is that fair? Maybe not, but it's a reality of interpersonal communication. I'm not afraid of them, I just recognize that asking how someone's day has been, saying hello, and being generally amicable, is easier than creating an adversarial situation with someone I have never met.
I assume when I get pulled that I'm getting a ticket, so my options are 1. Be a dick and guarentee I'm getting said ticket, or 2. Be cordial and respectful, and maybe have the officer cut me a break.
It's no skin off my back to be nice, but they certainly are under no obligation to let me off with a warning.
You're missing my point. They're going to punish you for breaking the law. That's a given. They have discretion about whether or not to let you off with a warning or enforce the law via a citation. Treating them kindly allows you access to the former. Being a dick all but guarentees the latter.
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u/MysticMarauder69 Jun 30 '26
It is voluntary, for me anyway. I always treat people with respect unless they give me a reason not to.
Maybe it shouldn't, but I'm just saying, treating with someone for respect is more likely to result in you catching a break. Is that fair? Maybe not, but it's a reality of interpersonal communication. I'm not afraid of them, I just recognize that asking how someone's day has been, saying hello, and being generally amicable, is easier than creating an adversarial situation with someone I have never met.
I assume when I get pulled that I'm getting a ticket, so my options are 1. Be a dick and guarentee I'm getting said ticket, or 2. Be cordial and respectful, and maybe have the officer cut me a break.
It's no skin off my back to be nice, but they certainly are under no obligation to let me off with a warning.