An interesting traffic stop

A few nights ago, I was heading to my parents house after work. I set the cruise control to the posted speed limit and was just enjoying listening to a podcast. Five miles from home, a set of flashing red and blue lights appeared behind me.

Now, I was confused. Why was I getting pulled over? I’d not been driving recklessly or anything. But I complied and pulled over, trying to figure out what I’d done wrong.

The trooper came up to my car and told me that I wasn’t in any sort of trouble. The only problem was that one of my headlights was out. He asked to see my license and registration. So first I fished out my wallet. That’s when the routine turned a bit odd.

 ”Is that a duct tape wallet?” the officer asked.

“Yeah, it is,” I said. “I made it myself.”

That was the last thing that I expected. But it really shouldn’t have been. I get the question a lot, at least once a week. And I never mind answering it. I made the wallet, not only to replace the one I had been using, but to be a bit of a conversation starter. I like talking to people, but I’m not thrilled about initiating the conversation for the most part. The wallet is a great way to do it.

The trooper, once he’d broken the ice with that non-routine question, became really nice. That one spark of curiosity was enough to transform him from a dude stuck on night patrol in February to a participant in a conversation.

 It’s an interesting idea. Carry around one unusual (but harmless) item and see how people’s perceptions about you change. Just a thought for today.