I had to go to a criminals court to pay for the speeding ticket of a friend. This was my first time in a court house in the US. As a matter of fact, I have never been to the court in Pakistan as well (which is a good thing, I guess). The impression I had in my mind about such places was exactly what they show in the movies, uncooperative staff, unmaintained facilities, dangerous criminals waiting for their hearings, and so on. I was pretty nervous on my way there.
But my experience was totally different, and it was phenominal.
The court building was magnificient. It wasn’t really a high rise but it was high enough for me to be impressed. It was neat and clean (surprise, surprise!). The staff was extremely helpful.
Inside the building, I was astonished to see well dressed people waiting for their cases to be presented in the court. How could such elegent people do anything wrong? That’s not how criminals are supposed to look like. Is this really a court house? Am I in the right building? My mind was overwhelmed with all kinds of feelings.
It took me hardly 10 minutes to find the exact office where I had to make the payment, including asking for directions and entering wrong offices several times. Not once did any of the staff behave rude or treat me like a criminal. I have hardly received such royal treatment in the past.
On my way back home, I was thinking how it would have been if I had to do the same thing in Pakistan? How would I have found the location? What would have people thought about me? Just imagining the looks of the people seeing me going into the court sent shivers down my spine. Would the staff had been as helpful? How long it would have taken me to finish the job?
I kept thinking for a while but couldn’t come up with answers.
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