Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Newfoundland Cop Stop

I can get my knickers in a twist about the sad state of the economy here and then the utter charm of this extraordinary place sets in and I am once more in love with this province. None of this exchange would happen in any other part of the world, I daresay but correct me if I'm wrong. I was heading out to an NQLWDL (Not Quite Ladies Who Do Lunch) meal today at Daughter's house, picking up others on the route. In case you ask - green curry with noodles, this divine lime-avocado spread, sweet potato fries, apple cobbler + mother's fresh soda bread out of the oven. I was running slightly late, I'm one of those annoying people who's always on time, when lard thundering jaysus, there's a cop on my tail with the lights flashing. I pull in to a parking lot and wait. I know I was speeding. A bit. Here's a verbatim transcript of our dialogue.

RCMP cop saunters up to the driver's window. He's 12 years old.

C: Do you know what speed you were at?

M: No, well, I know I was a bit over.

C: Brace yourself, M (didn't call me lady or ma'am but my first name)you were 46 over the limit.

M: What?

C: 46, yes. I need to see your driver's licence

M: It's in the trunk. In my purse. Can I get out of my car?

C: As long as there are no hand grenades or machine guns on your person or in the trunk.

M: (giggle) No. Only the usual stash of street drugs.

C: (solemnly, suppressing a smile)That's OK then.

C: (once he checks licence and ownership)I don't want you to have points or you know a rise in your insurance rates so I'm only going to record this as 10 over the limit. A small fine and no points.

M: You'd do that?

He smiles, goes back to the cop car and then returns with a ticket and my documents. I thank him.

C: I'm really sorry I destroyed your day.

M: No actually, you made my day. 10 points only and I was trying to break the sound barrier!
Thank you so much!

I recounted this story to the gang at lunch. I was anticipating a lecture from Daughter who burst out laughing held out her hand for me to shake and said:
"Well done Mum!"

I probably need a lecture from someone, anyone, on this, but yeah, I'm watching my speed. For now.

I'm the little old lady from Pasadena.

17 comments:

  1. Ha. I recounted somewhere an interaction with my cousin and a policeman. She got off by telling him her husband was a doctor. He knew her husband, of course.
    Wow. You would not joke around about drugs or weapons in this country!
    The food sounds awesome, as we say in my country. I made a pretty good mango chicken curry myself today in my slow cooker.

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    1. You wouldn't joke in Ontario where I used to live either Hattie. It took me by surprise. A lovely guy. Reminded me if the cops of my childhood.
      Oh mangoes and chicken. Sounds scrumptious.
      XO
      WWW

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  2. Love this post
    makes me smile
    "you are good"
    Love your lunch
    take care...

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    1. I couldn't stop smiling either Hattie. There are such good cops in this world to counteract the savagery of the others.
      XO
      WWW

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  3. This gave me a chuckle, and Hattie's right. You'd have been hauled in for that remark here. Hope you enjoyed every bite of that food.

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    1. Funny you should say that E as I was thinking about a dreadful incident in New York with Homeland Security in 2011 where I was terrified. I did write about it. I haven't been back to the states since.
      The food was amazing. A lovely 3-1/2 hour lunch.
      XO
      WWW

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    2. So sorry to hear you were frightened...hugs!

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    3. Here's a link to it, E, I haven't been back since :( https://wisewebwoman.blogspot.ca/2011/04/huddled-mass.html

      XO
      WWW

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  4. The old Irish charm or should I say blarney worked overtime! Congratulations.

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  5. Well Ramana, he had a pile of it and some to spare :)

    XO
    WWW

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  6. I used to speed quite regularly until I got two tickets in quick succession, each for £80! I’ve now stopped but I’m damned if I go slower than the speed limit, even when I have a little old lady driver (or even worse, farmer driver) in front of me going at a snail’s pace.

    Our country lanes are not meant for overtaking.

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    1. I know what you mean Friko, I stopped driving in Ireland long ago, couldn't deal with the narrow lanes after the 16 lane highways in Ontario :)Two laners in Newfoundland took some speed adjustment and I failed, obviously. :)

      XO
      WWW

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  7. I know others have made similar comments, but my first thought, as an ex-American (!) was, "Thank God it was Canada. In the U.S. she'd have been handcuffed and in jail for that remark."

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    1. Or more than likely shot, RJA. I know, I kept comparing too.

      XO
      WWW

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  8. Great story! I have a friend who used to be a Mountie in NL, she tells similar stories, from the other side of the car window of course ;-) Being a cop in NL was the high point in her career...

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    1. I had another one stop me a few years ago as I was towing a small trailer and he wanted to know where I got the licence plate on it and then bought me a coffee. (The trailer number was one only used for big rigs here and he was curious, LOL). So we exchanged life stories for a while and of course, cars we had driven, my highlight being my mustang, LOL)

      XO
      WWW

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  9. You rascal, you;) We can only dream of such encounters in the US these days. I envy the safety of your community and public service employees who care about the citizens [and have a sense of humor]. I love to drive and hope I never have to give it up.

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