My husband texted me one day, saying he had received an email from abroad about a fine. He forwarded the email, along with a crying emoji. He appeared to be surprised, because it seemed like such a rare occurrence - something that might happen once in five years, tops, since we started living together.
The rental car company instructed him to pay a processing fee of 30 euros, and then personally handle the rest of the amount by sending an email to the court in the respective country. According to the evidence photo, he had indeed been doing 86 in a 60 km.h zone.
Suddenly curious, I asked my husband, who has experience living abroad, “Have you ever gotten a ticket in the U.S.?” He laughed awkwardly and replied, “Plenty of times. Once, I even went to court. It was scary.”
occurrence - an event, esp. one that happens unexpectedly
once in years, tops - something happens very infrequently, possibly only once every few years
get a ticket - to receive a summons or warning for breaking a traffic law or rule, such as speeding or parking
어느 날 남편이 해외에서 벌금 관련 이메일을 받았다고 문자를 보냈다. 남편은 우는 이모티콘과 함께 이메일을 전달해 줬다. 우리가 함께 살기 시작한 이래로 기껏해야 5년에 한 번 일어날까 말까 한 드문 일이라 남편도 놀랐던 것 같다.
렌터카 업체에 전달 수수료 30유로를 지불하고, 나머지 금액은 본인이 직접 해당 국가 법원으로 메일을 보내 해결하라고 안내되어 있었다. 증거 사진을 보니 60킬로미터 구간에서 86킬로미터로 달렸다.
갑자기 궁금해져서 해외 거주 경험이 있는 남편에게 “혹시 미국에서 딱지 뗀 적 있어?”라고 물었다. 남편은 멋쩍게 웃으며 “여러 번”이라고 대답했다. “한 번은 법정에까지 갔어. 무서웠다.”
- We meet once in five years, tops. / The car only caused trouble once in five years, tops.
- You might have to pay a processing fee. / All members must pay a processing fee when they join.
- You’ll get a ticket if you park here. / I got a ticket for driving too quickly.
A: What’s this? Did you get another ticket for running a red light?
B: That’s so strange. I don’t think I did anything wrong.
A: You also have to really be careful about speeding these days.
B: I know, I know.
A: The area right in front of our house is a school zone. It always makes me nervous.
B: Don’t worry so much, honey. I’m always extra cautious.
