The other day I was on duty and walked into a local convenience store to get my stay-awake staple - a 1-liter bottle of Mountain Dew. There was a line of at least 7 or 8 people being served by one clerk, so I took my place at the back of the line and waited.
Those who hadn't noticed me walking in were soon aware of my presence due to my portable radio. One gentleman, who looked of Middle-Eastern descent, kept looking back at me with a puzzled expression. Being the grizzled veteran of three months on the street, I was thinking this guy must have warrants, be on paper or something.
The man paid for his gas, turned around and walked straight for me. Then, with a big smile, he stuck out his hand to shake mine. I normally don't get in the practice of shaking someone's hand while in uniform for safety reasons. But this guy caught me off guard and I shook his hand.
The following dialogue ensued:
HIM "In my country, soldiers do not stand in line."
ME "I'm not a soldier, I'm a police officer."
HIM "In my country, they are the same. This is why I love America."
ME "I'm not better than anyone else here, there's no reason I deserve preferential treatment."
HIM "Thank you for this attitude."
Then he smiled, shook my hand again, turned around and walked out of the store.
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Those who hadn't noticed me walking in were soon aware of my presence due to my portable radio. One gentleman, who looked of Middle-Eastern descent, kept looking back at me with a puzzled expression. Being the grizzled veteran of three months on the street, I was thinking this guy must have warrants, be on paper or something.
The man paid for his gas, turned around and walked straight for me. Then, with a big smile, he stuck out his hand to shake mine. I normally don't get in the practice of shaking someone's hand while in uniform for safety reasons. But this guy caught me off guard and I shook his hand.
The following dialogue ensued:
HIM "In my country, soldiers do not stand in line."
ME "I'm not a soldier, I'm a police officer."
HIM "In my country, they are the same. This is why I love America."
ME "I'm not better than anyone else here, there's no reason I deserve preferential treatment."
HIM "Thank you for this attitude."
Then he smiled, shook my hand again, turned around and walked out of the store.
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
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