Kavaliersdelikt

"But officer, there weren't any cars coming!" In Germany, you aren't likely to get much sympathy from the police officer who catches you crossing the street on a red light, and if you're unlucky, you'll even have to pay for this "Kavaliersdelikt" (trifling offense). However, perhaps if you politely conduct yourself like a "Kavelier" (gentleman), the police officer will have pity on you and make you suffer like a pedestrian serial offender for a mere pecadillo. "Do excuse me officer, I didn't even notice that the light had turned red so quickly. But if I had, I naturally would have waited at the curb, to be a stellar example to the children present!"