I've been stopped for minor BS like a burned out license plate light, suspicious activity, (driving up and down every street in a neighborhood in the wee hours of the morning, [that's the way to get all of your morning newspapers delivered to all of your customers on time.]), and the most effective approach that I've found is to get my wallet out of my pocket and onto the dash before I even get the car stopped, then patiently and politely wait with my hands on top of the steering wheel while waiting for the LEO to get it over with. It's always been more effective than something like "I'd think you guys would know my information by now, do I have to show you again?" (Yes, that line got me a $72.00 fine in 1976, and he took the 2 cans of beer that he saw under my front seat. It didn't help when I told him he'd have to put them in the refrigerator for a while because they were warm.) [ What he didn't know was that I had a cold case of Pabst in the trunk. After the encounter I felt safe because he made his bust, it was after hours and I couldn't get any more beer. HA HA, the joke was on you too Dave.] It's the truth and my dad can vouch for me on this one.
Courtesy is great, sincerity is better, and when you learn to fake that, you've got it made!
