
On my way to work this morning I got a violation ticket for squeezing in through the subway doors! Yep, the police officer made the train stop, got me out of it and engaged me in a semi-surreal dialogue:
- Did you know that you have just violated section 1050.6 of our city rule of conduct, by squeezing yourself through the subway doors?
- No, I didn't.
- Yes, you did. I saw you doing it.
- I meant I did not know I was violating the code xyz.
- It's not xyz, it’s section 1050.6 of our city rule of conduct.
- Ok. No, I didn’t know I was violating any section of any codes.
- Can I have your documents please?
- Sure. (and as I tried to open my wallet, I rested my other hand in my pocket)
- You are not supposed to put your hands in your pockets yet.
- What? Where do you want me to put them? On top of my head?
- This is not funny young lady.
- (I stayed quite. Infuriated, but quite)
- I see you are a visitor to this country. When do you intend to leave? (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- What does this have to do with me squeezing myself through the subway doors?
- I asked you a question. For how long are you in this country?
- (ok, I realized this was clearly a lose-lose situation, unless I was willing to fight it all the way through, get to work really late, etc, etc. Nope. “I have bigger fish to fry” I thought. Decided to swallow the sour taste of injustice and simply reply: "I'm here for one year"
- What's your phone number?
- 617...
- You mean "917"
- No m'am, I meant "617"
- Are you sure?
- Yes, m'am. This is a Boston number.
- Ok, then. (She writes the violation ticket and hands it to me)
- (I get the ticket, ask her if I could now put my hands back in my own pocket... and leave)
VIOLATION TICKET: $25
ABUSE OF POWER: Shameless
FOR EVERYTHING ELSE: Not enough taxpayers $






















