Since the traveller has been staying in US for 9yrs , must have forgotten as to how the country runs . They would have just shown the scent of 100 dollars , then things would have been different, their life would have been easy . May be next time , you travel please keep a 100$ note . As of the french man getting visa , it shows that the immigration officer has got no self respect and has the instincts of slavery . If one checks the credentials of the immigration guy , I can say with 200% guarantee ,that he landed in his position by giving a bribe and he would have got the job in reservation .
