Comments on: How to escape a bribe shakedown perpetrated by greedy Moldovan swine

By: John USA

John USA — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:02:26 +0000

The Romanians (and maybe the Moldovans, too) have a specific term for playing stupid with the cops, though I forget what it is.
A carload of Romanian cops had me properly and rightly nailed speeding on their video radar contraption. I WAS speeding, but still played stupid tourist guy to the hilt and successfully got away.
If the cop speaks English I just try gross contrition.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:40:52 +0000

You’re a stronger man than me. I know the spot and was willing to give the co-swine 100 lei to be on my way.

By: Disco

Disco — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:56:21 +0000

So that just means you will have more money to spend on presents, gifts and stuff to bring back for all of us, right? Isn’t that how it works?

By: leif

leif — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:44:10 +0000

Vit – Thanks man. I bet it’s much harder to escape if you’re Moldovan though.

Xplorio – I’m visiting that region in July. I was there once before, but it was winter and a lot of stuff was closed.

Gemma – I agree. While I can play stupid with the Moldovan police like a professional, I don’t think I would have had the balls to photograph them. Maybe an attractive Italian woman can get away with that, but not a smart ass American guy.

Lee – I’ve never tried to ask for a badge number. That would betray my stupid tactic. Maybe the next time the stupid tactic doesn’t work I’ll give it a try.

By: Sputniklee

Sputniklee — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:07:46 +0000

I usually do the same. I learned during my first shakedown that my gendarme didn’t mind holding the whole frigging train from crossing the border until he had wrung the last leu out of me. I’ve been an ignoramus ever since.

In Russia: rack up the minutes, let them fill out all forms, but ask for the badge number of each of your new police friends. (They are required, by law, to provide this information.) Their interest in prosecuting your case decreases rapidly after your request is fulfilled. Does this work in Moldova too?

By: gemma

gemma — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:03:33 +0000

I must say, Leif, that your co-pilot must have balls of steel to take photographs of Moldovan police in the exercise of their daily bribery tricks. I have been face to face with them only once, and I was crossing the street on the zebra-crossing, while they, seeing the sign “foreigner” written on my face, were trying to find a way to fine me. They really scared the bejesus out of me.
So, compliments to your courageous friend and, as we say in Italy: complimenti alla mamma.

By: craig

craig — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:52:59 +0000

Most entertaining

By: xplorio

xplorio — Tue, 27 May 2008 10:19:24 +0000

Wahaha.
Yess, this is the drill.
You should have added though “Moldovan Police Swine”.

In a completely other kind of news: did you visited Adamclisi, in Dobrogea, south-east Romania? Or Histria, at the Black Sea? Or Enisala, the venetian citadel near Histria?

These are 2000+ old greek, roman and venetian cities, some of which are well preserved. And not a tourist trap. :) A must-see for any serious traveler.

By: A. Wannabe Travelwriter

A. Wannabe Travelwriter — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:45:32 +0000

Leif, your are frig’n James Bond cool.

Let’s see… all I got to do is play dumb…what was the question?

Oh, look…shiny object.

By: Saucy McB

Saucy McB — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:59:40 +0000

Excellent work!

My tactic is to always, always, always feign total and utter ignorance of the language when I do something wrong in a foreign country. That’s why I never have to move seats on the train.