Your license and registration, please?
Yesterday, I got pulled over by a Dubai Police officer for taking a wrong turn, and for … well … not wearing a seat belt (I know, I know, it’s not good for your health).
What was strange though, is that as the officer was handing me the ticket, he apologized for “ruining my day”!
WHAT?!
YES! He actually smiled and said: “سامحنا عالمخالفة عكرنا مزاجك”. (Sorry about the ticket, it must’ve ruined mood).
He wasn’t being sarcastic, mind you. He actually meant it!
I mean, this is not the first time I get ticket, but it was certainly the first time a police officer apologizes to me. Because did he really have to? No! Do they teach them to be apologize to traffic violators at the Police Academy? I seriously doubt it!
I’m sure he did not apologize for giving me a ticket, that’s his job after all, but surely something occurred to him; perhaps he thought: “here I am, giving this man in a suite, who’s obviously doing something related to his work, a ticket, which definitely screwed up his entire day!”
I took the ticket, thanked him and drove off, wearing both my seat built and a big smile on my face.
In my mind, I thanked him for the effort he took to not ruin my mood. Although in his situation, and his authority, standing under the sun for hours every day, I can imagine it’s not difficult to act obnoxiously.
Thank you Mr. Police Man, thank you!