One chief problem in the American culture is "the art of paperworks". Such system is invented by the americans. Too bad it's not patented. And many other cultures are trying to follow this habit too.
Yesterday while I was getting off to work from Flushing to Brooklyn, taking a local taxi van, two male policemen came to check the driver's registrations. This driver has been in service for quite some time now, but this would only mean that we can trust him to some extend. It is merely an excuse in the law of men. And the americans are very excellent in dealing with domestic issues using the law of men.
So, some of the registrations weren't according to the law, that's fine by me. But what's cooking my noodles is the fact that the time it took the policemen to walk back into their car, shut their doors, and write some 12 yellow summons across the street, looking very comfy in their car, one chatted on his cellphone, estimated to about 30 minutes. It was not until the driver couldn't be any more patient and walked across the street to see them, that they gave him his summons and left us. If we all had waited, I wonder how much longer would the two police lovebirds remain in their car.
30 minutes, that's almost the time I need to get to Brooklyn. Eventhough I knew I'd be late (Everyone would be waiting for me since I'm the teacher), and that I'd be the one apologizing to the class, I have learned to stay calm and read my book during the battle of emotions, time and patience. The worst case scenario would be for me to take the expensive yellow cab. I supposed next time I'd go back to taking the subways for this. Eventhough its almost a 2 hour ride, but its free and make me wake up earlier (hence the need to sleep early too). This is not about sleeping early, but discipline. Someone once said, "freedom is the ability to not do what one doesn't want to do". I still need certain well spent amount of time of sleep, so it is a challenge to a person who doesn't like to go to sleep like me.
I heard of another case a while back about a theological meeting being held in the States. They were short of a lamp, and in order to borrow one, they must first sign this paper, fill that form, and then wait for it to pass from departments to departments, and after then only would they be allowed to take a lamp from the store room. It only took the lecturer a few minute taxi drive to the nearest sales store and $30 for a brand new lamp.
12 yellow summons, 30 minutes. Like that's necessary. Sigh. I had personally experienced at least two other of such similar cases that I could remember very vividly. I'm sure there were a lot more if I try to remember harder. Looking back at the 911 incident, I'd say the administrative authorities are going the wrong way.
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