Tuesday, July 24, 2007

PAZIENZA OR COMMON SENSE?

I have just seen an extraordinary thing: a policeman was standing at the roadside, waving the red "lollipop stick" at motorcycle riders without crash helmets. All of a sudden a young, helmetless lad on a motorbike travelling at speed saw the policeman from about 100 yards away, reared up on the bike, did a u-turn in the middle of the main road at the busiest time of the evening and hurtled off in the opposite direction. The policeman half-heartedly stepped into the road and waved the lollipop in a perfunctory manner, then shrugged his shoulders, lifted his hands in the pazienza gesture and resumed his conversation with a friend. He made no attempt to give chase [although he had his police car at the ready] radio someone else to do so or to take the number of the motorbike. Perhaps he knew the boy and will catch him next time; perhaps he just couldn't be bothered; or perhaps he felt there were more important fish to fry. I don't drive but I am pretty sure the young man would have been pursued in Britain.

7 comments:

Janejill said...

Yes, and probably at 90 miles per hour until someone crashed. I tend to hope your first thoughts were right, and his father will tell him off later!

Lee said...

He couldn't be bothered sounds like the answer! ;)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

- and someone innocent killed, janejill. I rather hope my first thoughts were right! Probably so, Lee...

Crushed said...

It's a bit like that in Ireland.
I've sen things kick off and the Gardai just watched, assessed the situation and then carried on.

I think its us Brits who get all official about everything.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Never been to Ireland, Crushed - but I imagine you are right. Maybe we mainland Brits don't know when to just LEAVE a situation.

Maria said...

In New York sad to say, abuse could follow and incident like that. The police can be a bit rough with such a blantant disregard.

Just pray... no one gets hurt!

M

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

M, you are right - that's the main thing.

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