When I was travelling through England.
I stopped and bothered the police for directions quite a few times, mainly because I have no compunction in doing so - they're there to help - I needed help finding my way.

However, one particular time I asked for help stands out for me.
This was at the very beginning of December, when all that snow had hit. Half of my trains had been cancelled, and I had eventually made it to Manchester Picadilly Station. I knew that I had to get to Manchester Victoria station, and that to do that, I had to catch the tram from Picadilly to Victoria.
At this point I'd been travelling for about 5 hours, and having wandered around the station trying to find the tram for about half an hour, I was getting quite upset because I thought I was at the wrong station, and needed some help.

So I went and found those policemen who wander around the station making sure everybody is behaving, and explained (while trying not to cry) my predicament. The one who helped me was absolutely lovely. He helped me with my suitcase down the stairs, waited with me at the right platform til the tram came in, then quickly hopped on and showed me which stop I had to get off the tram at before wishing me luck and going about the rest of his day.

I know a lot of people bang on about how the police don't care or that they're too harsh, but my experience with the British police was really quite the opposite. The officer who helped me was patient and nice and didn't laugh at me for being a lost tourist at all.
And I got to spend that night with some smashing b3tans.
(Poppet some assembly required., Fri 6 May 2011, 1:39, 9 replies)

It's only about a 20 minute walk to from Picadilly to Victoria, but hats off to the friendly policeman who helped you on your way. Glad to see there are some friendly cops in Manchester.
(Xstopher, Fri 6 May 2011, 2:42, closed)

He was very friendly.
I was catching the tram because I had a 16kg suitcase with me and it's a bit difficult to walk around with for ages. Plus I had no idea which direction anything was in.
(Poppet some assembly required., Fri 6 May 2011, 2:46, closed)

Ah, fair enough then! My friend is a copper for GMP, and he'd have probably told you to fuck off, bastard he is.
(Xstopher, Fri 6 May 2011, 2:59, closed)

And not once did he stare at your tits.

(oneinthepink is at your cervix m'lady, Fri 6 May 2011, 9:00, closed)

There's a lot of bad press about the police
Some deserved, some not. Most coppers I've spoken to have been absolutely lovely - especially if you're female and about to burst into tears because you're lost (I've done that one myself).
( Bats, Fri 6 May 2011, 9:08, closed)

Tram? You didn't want to end up in Croydon did you!?
(Spiffing, Fri 6 May 2011, 11:25, closed)

they like foreigners to think they're nice
/may be being a bit cuntish
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 6 May 2011, 19:14, closed)

happy b3taday!

(sarcastic fringehead feet of clay, buns of steel, head of lettuce, Sat 7 May 2011, 13:51, closed)

ta! :)

( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 7 May 2011, 22:05, closed)