I Fought the Law and... We BOTH Won!

So this morning I had to quick run into the store, but it is located in an area that is notorious for it's lack of parking spaces (and overabundance of parking patrol). I found a spot really close, but had to park with the rear half of my car in the crosswalk. Lydia and I ran into the store and returned to the car no more than 5 minutes later only to find a policeman studying my car. Knowing what was coming, I first decided to play dumb: "Oh... mluvim anglicky" (Oh... I speak English). This didn't get me out of my transgression as he proceeded to explain with gestures that I had parked in part of the crosswalk, therefore blocking the path of pedestrians. He informed me that a little of the car in the crosswalk is ok, but I had too much of the car hanging over. He asked me for my passport, which I did not have. I gave him my U.S. driver's license instead. While he was intently studying my license (and knowing what was about to transpire) I quickly fished out my wallet and emptied it of all cash, stuffing it in the backseat, except for 200 Kc ($8). He again explains my parking violation primarily through hand gestures and informs me that the fine is 1000 Kc ($40). "Ooohh" I reply, and apologetically show him my wallet with only 200 Kc. He sighs in disappointment but replies "Ok... 200 Kc". Then he gives me a receipt and in the process determines that we are now comrades. He says "I am English pupil. Speaking Czech good. Deutsch (German) ok. English I am school boy". I tell him he is speaking English very well. He tells me he has been a pupil for only 6 months, repeating: "I am school boy". I tell him I am a "Czech pupil". And we all leave happy.

Hey. If you can't beat 'em at their little parking violation negotiation game, join 'em!