I just got the RS French Phrasebook, and reading through it, in the Transportation section under Police (page 72), is the phrase "Je peux acheter votre chapeaux?" (Can I buy your hat?)... just after a few phrases about getting tickets.
It's giving us a good laugh. But now I wonder, should I be prepared to buy hats if we get pulled over? :-)
Rick puts this kind of thing in all his phrasebooks, just to see if you're paying attention.
You get points for noticing this.
But don't say it, if you get pulled over--it might be interpreted as a bribe. And Rick won't be there to bail you out.
:-)
A French Policeman's hat would be a nice souvenir (another French word). :-)
It is my impression, fortunately not acted upon, that policemen at all levels of the French constabulary are singularly poor audiences for humour. I doubt Rick or staff would bother to translate "The policeman is your friend" into French. Joking aside, the videos of officers putting themselves at risk in the current hostage-takings speak volumes. And that's not talking through anybody's hat.
One of my favorites, in the Numbers, Money and Time section: Where is the nearest casino?
I think that sentence is intended to be used if you see Rusty Griswold at the Eiffel Tower. I'm sure he'd be happy to sell you his beret with his name embroidered on it. :-)
Some of the bar pickup phrases get a little frisky
