Meow

Just trying to pick an argument again?

Bahtatboy

Bleedin' 'ell you're a difficult man to please. Seems like when personal experience is cited you dismiss it, but won't accept generic advice based on first-hand and anecdotal evidence. Anyway, for what its worth:

Don't break the law. If you bend it, make sure you know how far you can take things: otherwise, don't. You're not allowed to be drunk in public. I am often well over the limit after leaving a bar, but make a very conscious effort to disguise the fact. An acquaintance was too pissed to be able to disguise anything, police nabbed him and he spent a couple of nights in jail.

Accumulate as much Wasta as possible. As everywhere and in every situation, its who you know that counts.

Have your PRO on speed dial. Coz he'll know what to do. Even better, have your Wasta-ites on speed dial.

Drive defensively. That means being aware of all traffic around you, not just that in front and immediately behind you. I got tail-ended, but only because I was driving too fast for the cars BEHIND me (ie I knew I could react and brake so as not to hit the car in front, but I had quicker reactions and better brakes and tyres than the guy behind and so when I stopped he didn't, expect by hitting me--and the 3 cars behind him did much the same). If you don't know how to control cars behind you, go on a proper defensive driving course.

If you're in an accident, take photos and record all details. Obvious, but most people don't in the heat of the moment. In the aforementioned tailgating, showing the pics to PC Abdul quite possibly made a difference. However, the guys behind weren't locals, and had they been then without the combination of Wasta, PRO and records (I didn't need the former in this instance) I believe there would have been a credible risk of being found liable. I don't have first hand experience of that here, but I do in Saudi.

Don't lose your temper. Goes without saying. In all situations.

Be polite. And patient. Even in the Arabic culture of frantic gesticulation, shoulder shrugging and loud proclamations, a polite and patient attitude wins round more officials than not. That's years of personal experience in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Say Kerrang as much as you wish. Don't say it if you don't want to. I can't even remember, and don't care, if you think its bad or not to say it--I believe in freedom of speech, you decide if you want to say it or not.

seven seas

Bahtatboy- that's much much better. Someone with your experience and common sense is a good resource. Everyone benefits when you share your knowledge.

(feeling queasy yet?)

I am hard to please and I think that's something to be proud of actually.
You say you hide it when you're well over the limit- are you not aware that there is no limit? Here you're either drunk or not. Kinda important for newbies, right?

Anecdotal evidence- if you let that in then you can't base anything on this. A friend of mine was rear-ended by a local in a brand-new Nissan Patrol. The cop dismissed his indignant protests and told him that rear-ending anyone means you are at fault, anywhere in the world. He did things the way they should be done.

Are we really arguing about whether the police are sometimes wankers? I thought that was a job requirement...

Bahtatboy

Everyone's a wanker sometimes.

Sandboy

some more than others though

Millsyisland

I suggest this is changed to 'everyone knows - except 'seven seas''

seven seas

Especially about the no drinking limit thing. That's funny.