The missing cop story
Ah, the joys of social networking.It seems my cop story only appeared as a Facebook or Twitter update, and didn't transfer across to Channel Steve.
So those of you who read my last update may not understand the reference to paying VND300,000 to the cops. Here's the story:I was pulled over on the way to work by cream-wearing, creamy dessert-eating men in uniform. The chosen one wanted to know if I spoke Vietnamese, and when I said no rolled his eyes. Instead of letting me go he persisted, as perhaps he could sense the weight of my foreign wallet.
At first it was - "licence". I thought I could get away with showing my Aussie one. No dice, but he did accept that I was in the process of obtaining one (so I said). Then it was "papers" - meaning insurance and registration. My rental bike comes with original insurance papers, but a photocopy of the rego because the owner won't give the original to me. Fair enough, I think. But not to the cop. He started using body language that I read as "well, what are we going to do about this terrible crime then?" I had heard that they can impound your bike for just about anything, so I called the owner who didn't answer the phone. Next step, call one of my local translators. I gave the phone to the cop and after a couple of minutes received it back. The message - "you crossed into the car lane and have to pay VND300,000". As a matter of fact, I didn't realise there was such a thing as a car lane, and I did cross into it momentarily to avoid being crushed by a bus that was out for my blood. I wasn't expecting the fine to be that large, but I guess inflation has hit everywhere. So I paid the 300 to a cop that clearly DOES receive enough salary (plus bonuses) judging by his uniform size, and got ready to go. He then said and did one more thing:
"First time?"
"Yep", I reply.
He shakes my hand and smiles.Grrrrr..... Corruption is not my favourite noun, even if it does reduce court clutter and is cheaper than an Australian traffic ticket.
So those of you who read my last update may not understand the reference to paying VND300,000 to the cops. Here's the story:I was pulled over on the way to work by cream-wearing, creamy dessert-eating men in uniform. The chosen one wanted to know if I spoke Vietnamese, and when I said no rolled his eyes. Instead of letting me go he persisted, as perhaps he could sense the weight of my foreign wallet.
At first it was - "licence". I thought I could get away with showing my Aussie one. No dice, but he did accept that I was in the process of obtaining one (so I said). Then it was "papers" - meaning insurance and registration. My rental bike comes with original insurance papers, but a photocopy of the rego because the owner won't give the original to me. Fair enough, I think. But not to the cop. He started using body language that I read as "well, what are we going to do about this terrible crime then?" I had heard that they can impound your bike for just about anything, so I called the owner who didn't answer the phone. Next step, call one of my local translators. I gave the phone to the cop and after a couple of minutes received it back. The message - "you crossed into the car lane and have to pay VND300,000". As a matter of fact, I didn't realise there was such a thing as a car lane, and I did cross into it momentarily to avoid being crushed by a bus that was out for my blood. I wasn't expecting the fine to be that large, but I guess inflation has hit everywhere. So I paid the 300 to a cop that clearly DOES receive enough salary (plus bonuses) judging by his uniform size, and got ready to go. He then said and did one more thing:
"First time?"
"Yep", I reply.
He shakes my hand and smiles.Grrrrr..... Corruption is not my favourite noun, even if it does reduce court clutter and is cheaper than an Australian traffic ticket.
