Worked with some Brits a few years ago in Dallas. Wonderful people, I thanked them for supporting us in Iraq. On the last day they were done early and wanted to go on a road trip to see “real Texas”. They wanted to drive to El Paso for the afternoon.
I mentioned that El Paso was 700 miles away. They could leave now and, God willing, get there tomorrow. They struggled to understand the distance between places in Texas, then decided the Alamo was more their cup of tea: only 320 miles.
We drove down to San Antonio at a high rate of speed. We were stopped by a small town police officer in BFE after we rolled through an off-ramp stop sign. I told them “Do NOT try to bribe the police officer”, since Texas peace officers would likely take offense if you thiought they were for sale. Nevertheless, the british instructions were to bribe all provincials. With some effort I got them to keep their wallets in their pants. At one point my British guest began arguing with the officer. I said “Walter, this man is just doing his job.”
The police officer, looked at me for a second, then took me aside and said “Son, I appreciate what you said. You do not seem impaired. You drive. Keep the Limeys quiet. Have a safe trip.”
Thank God for the Texas Rangers.
British people reaching for their wallet first. Now that’s a story I’m going to remember!