well, a bad attitude at immigration.....
NEVER beneficial.
Almost all immigration officers the world-over have complete discretion to refuse entry to anyone if they "feel" the guy is "up to no good" or whatever. And their judgement is precisely what they are paid for. Giving them attitude, even if you are "in the right", is just fucking stupid. Smile, eat it, enjoy the rest of your trip.
It's amazing what a smile and a good-natured joke can get you out of. I once got pulled over by the cops for speeding - doing 85mph in a 55 zone (in the US (Texas) at the time, but on a super quiet, super safe highway stretch). The Big Frickn Trooper (man, they r HUGE now there!) asks me: "you know the speed limit here?". "Ummm 55?". "Yes, you know how fast you were going?". I reply, very straight-faced, "Ooooh, Faster! Much faster!!". And then glance up with a "please be merciful smile". He paused at my honesty, laughed, thought about it.., "alright, slow down, and get otta here.., I radioed your plates ahead, so the next trooper WILL nail you". Cool! And thanks!
As a dumb young man I got pulled over, drunk as a skunk, a mile from my house. You could see the lights of my home. He says, "you been drinking?", "Yeah, a fair bit". ""Where u going?". "Aw man.., right there!!" (I point to the lights) "Soooo close!!". "You gonna be sick in my cruiser?". I reply, "Not if you don't put me in it! Otherwise, I can't be certain". He laughed..., and let me go -- and followed me home (I guess to be sure I was telling the truth. (I was).
Guess I have been a lucky shit with authority figures.
Anyway, DON'T ever give attitude at Immigration. It's never a useful approach. | |
