Romanian Uniform Groupie, Part I

There are far too many uniformed men in Europe. I know this because of the news. I've seen French policemen on the news. I have never seen one face-to-face. I'm really glad about that. On the news, they carry very large military-looking guns and yell a lot. I do not want to be yelled at in French. I'm really afraid I may say something like, “That was really cool. Could you say that again?”

Back home, in Augusta, I enjoyed speaking with policemen on First Friday, a once-a-month arts and music happening downtown. Like the time I whispered, “That's jaywalking,” to an officer as he passed me in the crosswalk. I think he may have actually growled and said something impolite. But that's the sort of semi-harmless fun you can have back in Augusta.

No way am I doing that here. For one thing, I think police officers here simply think you deserve what you get if you're fool enough to jaywalk in Bucharest. Why issue a ticket? The person probably won't live to pay it. The officers themselves know better than to go anywhere near the street if they can help it. Or the sidewalk for that matter. You know that bumper-sticker, “If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk”? It wouldn't even get a chuckle here, because the sidewalk is practically considered a passing lane.

More later.