There is no doubt that a friendly unthreatening attitude will settle most tense situations. One of my experiences with this has been in eastern Mexico during the Chiapas conflicta, when we (nine on seven bikes) were pulled up and searched many times. Sometimes by the police, sometimes the military.

Mostly we left them behind smiling...
On one occasion I was leading. About eight Police pulled us up and started to search my bike, speaking to one another in Spanish. After about five minutes my friend behind, an Argentinian, spoke up in fluent Spanish, which suprised and embarrassed them as now they knew that he understood every word they had been saying amongst themselves.

Next one of our party revealed herself as a (very attractive) US Policewoman, another as a District Attorney, all smiling broadly of course. Badges were exchanged...all happiness and light...we left, they were laughing, we were laughing.

Also on that trip, one another occasion at a road block, a youth was holding a rifle point blank at my wife's midriff. She smiled and motioned gently him to point it away. He broke a smile and did so....

Another experience in Botswanna was not so pleasant, but ended without incident. A desert random Police road block near Swapkapmund. A young Policeman seized a bike and took off down the road flat out, ostensibly 'testing its brakes'. The owner had to be subdued by his friends, - us, but once again we left without any serious problem.

I do rememebr one of the girls saying "this would never happen in America". I cringed at the obvious reply; "THIS IS BOTSWANNA".

cheers
Peter...about to tour Alaska, where I think bears and RVs may be our biggest threat?