Reply to post: The trouble with the British...

A floppy filled with software worth thousands of francs: Techie can't take it, customs won't keep it. What to do?

Anonymous Coward
Anonymous Coward

The trouble with the British...

... is a failure to recognise when an official is soliciting a bribe, perhaps because UK has been relatively successful in minimising that (although I'm led to believe that local government planning officers can be encouraged to take a more agreeable attitude to some proposals).

My wife originates from a country where bribery is normal (or even essential) and defends it on the basis that "it gets things done quickly and effectively" and argues that we do give tips and a bribe is merely a tip given in advance of provision of the service. What would you prefer, she asks, the inconvenience of a trip to the police station, a 2 hour wait in a roomful of drunks, druggies and pickpockets, a load of paperwork and a $50 fine or a $10 on the spot "fine" to the traffic cop with no paperwork and you're back on your way in a matter of minutes?

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