Let’s create a scenario and then examine the body language, let’s say you have committed a minor driving offence, such as speeding, and you are pulled over by the police. How would you normally react to this so you can get out of the speeding fine? Well read on now to see if your method works or downright fails when it comes to trying to get out of speeding fines! How to get out of a speeding fine -

In the circumstances previously mentioned (stopped for speeding), the police officer may regard you as an adversary as he approaches your car, and most people’s reaction is to remain in the car, wind the window down and make excuses or deny the offence.

The Body Language Negatives of That Scenario Example are:

1. The police officer is forced to leave his territory (the police car) and come across to your territory (your car)
   
2. Assuming that you are in fact guilty, your excuses may represent an attack to the police officer
   
3. By remaining in your car, you create a barrier between yourself and the police officer

Considering that under these circumstances the police officer is in the superior position to you, this behaviour serves only to make things go from bad to worse and your chances of getting a speeding fine are dramatically increased.

So Instead, Try This if You are Pulled Over:

1. Immediately get out of your car (your territory) and go forwards to the police officer's car (his territory). In this way he is not inconvenienced by having to leave his space. (Don't try this in the USA where getting out of your car and rushing towards an officer may result in sudden lead poisoning.)
   
2. Stoop your body over so that you are smaller than him
   
3. Lower your own status by telling the officer how irresponsible you've been and raise his status by thanking him for pointing out your mistake and telling him that you realise how difficult his job must be, having to deal with fools like you
4. With your palms out, in a trembling voice, ask him not to give you a fine. If you're female and the officer is male, smile a lot, blink your eyes repeatedly and talk in a higher pitched voice.

This behaviour shows the police officer that you are not a threat and encourages him to take the role of a reprimanding parent, in which case he may decide to give you a stern warning and tell you to be on your way, without a speeding fine!

When this technique is used as directed, it can save you from being booked with a any fine up to 50% of instances where you are pulled over by the police.

The same technique can be used to calm an angry customer who is returning faulty products to a shop or wants to complain about something. In this case, a shop counter represents a barrier between the shop staff and the customer. Control of an angry customer would be difficult if the staff remained on their side of the counter, since this creates a 'you-versus-me' approach which can make the customer even angrier. If the staff member moves around to the customer's side of the counter with his body stooped over and palms visible and uses the same technique highlighted with the police officer, it can usually calm an angry person. Staying behind a desk or counter can raise anger levels. So, don’t handle an angry person behind them.

As toughed upon earlier, it’s possible to avoid intimidating others by consciously making yourself appear smaller in relation to them (For extra info check out this blog post).

You’ve reached the end of how to get out of a speeding fine! Did you learn something valuable here? If so you may be interested in reading further into related articles such as the Hidden Meaning of Gestures or How to Get Ahead in Business.

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